Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Jr, Vice Chairman Danette Gonsalves, Clerk George Cavanaugh, Senior Administrative Assistant Deborah Fuller, Secretary Carol Connor, and Town Administrator Wayne Melville

Meeting called to order at 8:20 AM.

Bill schedules signed as presented.

Service applications signed for:

1. 3 Stephen Hopkins Road
2. 154 Kendrick Road
3. 42 Pine Knoll Road

George Cavanaugh made a motion to approve the minutes of the 6/24/03 meeting. Seconded by Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote by Board to approve.

Deborah Fuller gave a report on the Route 39 standpipe. The repairs do not have to go out to bid, but will need 3 verbal quotes due to waiver. Leo Yuskus of Haley & Ward is handling obtaining these quotes.

Bid results - Twomey (meters) does not meet specifications. A motion was made by Danette Gonsalves to accept all bid results. George Cavanaugh seconded. Unanimous vote to approve.

A letter dated 7/7/03 that is being sent to Wayne Melville was reviewed by the Board. This letter addresses the request of the residents of Beriah Brooks and Tody Bole Lanes to install a spigot for watering the island between the 2 roads. Also enclosed for review with the letter are bids that were received from 3 installers, along with the costs that would be due to the Water Department for a new service. It would also need to be determined who was going to be responsible for payment of the bill each billing cycle. The Water Department does not endorse this project as there are many more subdivisions which could be requesting the same thing if this one is approved.

George Cavanaugh asked Wayne Melville about using Town Counsel at the appellate court hearing for Peter Stagg. Mr. Melville said this would be entirely in order and gave Mr. Cavanaugh the telephone number and name of the person to contact.

The Board reviewed the packet containing the Stagg usage history and also included comparable uses by other car washes in the area. Mr. Stagg has also contacted Mr. Melville as well regarding his bill, and was told that it is handled by the Water Department and the Board of Water Commissioners.

Northern Construction bill for use of hydrant connections during repairs done on the Mid Cape Highway is being contested. The charges were on a daily basis and included a rate change. Now the owner is complaining about costs of the daily hookups. The total bill is $1,197.00. The Board authorized Superintendent Wiegand to negotiate an agreeable payment and present it back to the Board for approval per motion by George Cavanaugh. Seconded by Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote by the Board to approve. (NOTE: As of this writing the bill has been paid in full so there is no need to pursue further.)

Discussion with Mr. Melville: All water receipts belong to the Water Department per the Town Accountant and the Dept. of Revenue. Charges to different departments can only be forward and cannot be collected retroactively, and this is being done for 2003 through receipts and budget. This should be a very small number per Mr. Melville. Figures should be done for a 6 year period. Per Mr. Melville, he thinks the Water Department runs very well and should be left alone as it has a good superintendent in place. A DPW should not be pursued. Also per Mr. Melville, the proposal for the Enterprise Fund should be made some time this calendar year to the Board of Selectmen.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 AM.

Donald T. Bates,Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
Deborah Fuller, Sr. Administrative Asst.