Commissioners Meeting Minutes 03/19/13

Harwich Water Department

BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

Meeting on March 19, 2013

 

Present:  Chairman Donald Bates, Vice Chairman Allin Thompson, Clerk Danette Gonsalves, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Alexandra Bilek, Senior Billing Administrator Wellesley Marsh

Chairman Donald Bates called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m.

The minutes for the previous meeting held on March 5, 2013 were approved with a motion by Vice Chairman Thompson and seconded by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

Selectman Angelo LaMantia approached the Board on behalf of the Board of Selectmen requesting that the Board of Water Commissioners relinquish receipt of the revenues for the proposed cell tower so they can be deposited into the General Fund.  Mr. LaMantia said the Town needs the money and it could help prevent an override.  Vice Chairman Thompson moved to transfer control and revenues of the proposed cell tower to the Board of Selectmen with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 2-1-0.

At 8:30 a.m. Vice Chairman Thompson moved to recess the regular meeting and open the public hearing regarding the proposed rate and fee increase with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

At 8:45 after no comments were made Vice Chairman Thompson moved to close the public hearing and open the regular meeting with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

Vice Chairman Thompson moved to approve the proposed 5 ½ % rate increase and proposed fee increase with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

Vice Chairman Thompson informed the Board that he was contacted by the Town Administrator to participate in contract negotiations as Chairman Bates is not available.  It was decided that Vice Chairman Thompson would be the Department’s representative during contract negotiations.

Superintendent Wiegand informed the Board that the National Grid meeting scheduled for March 21st has been cancelled until further notice.

Mr. Wiegand discussed the state of the Lothrop Tank.  He said the structural integrity of the tank has been compromised due to the heavy winds from the storms over the winter.  Mr. Wiegand said if we do not receive the support of the Capital Outlay Committee with our Town Meeting Article that we would have to go to the Finance Committee requesting emergency funds to make structural repairs.

Mr. Wiegand said Paul Costello of Polaris Engineering said he received a call from the DEP who unofficially told him that we would receive the SRF funding for the Treatment Plant.

Mr. Wiegand said the Department will be leasing the two required vehicles as to not go before Capital Outlay.  He said we can buy them out at the end of the lease.

Mr. Wiegand said the Inter-municipal Water Agreement between Harwich and Brewster is currently being reviewed by Town Counsel and the Town of Brewster.

 

The Board will meet again on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. with a motion by Chairman Bates and a second by Vice Chairman Thompson; 3-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________                                   ____________________________

Donald T. Bates, Chairman                                                   Craig Wiegand, Superintendent                                          

____________________________                                   ____________________________

Allin P. Thompson, Vice Chairman                                      Alexandra Bilek, SecretarY

____________________________                               

Danette Gonsalves, Clerk           

Commissioners Meeting Minutes 03/19/13 (pdf)

        

posted: 04/02/13