Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Jr, Vice Chairman Danette Gonsalves, Clerk George Cavanaugh, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Carol M. Connor

Also Present: Town Accountant Peggy Gallagher and Harry McCafferty

Meeting called to order at 8:15 AM by Chairman Bates.

Bills signed as presented.

Service applications signed for:

1. 155 Gilbert Lane
2. 14 Catherine Rose Road

Abatements signed as presented.

Danette Gonsalves made a motion to approve the minutes of January 6, 2004, as written. George Cavanaugh seconded. Unanimous vote to approve.

Superintendent Wiegand gave an update on a meeting with the Town Accountant. Indirect costs were charged for last year but no indication was given where the money came from. Did this have to be approved by town meeting? There is approximately $187,000.00 left in the stabilization fund. An amount was specified for the Water Dept. at last town meeting per the Town Accountant. Mr. Wiegand has this in the proposed article. This indirect cost charge was a bookkeeping procedure last year per the Town Accountant and no money actually came out of the budget, but it will be different this year. This year there is a Water Dept. special revenue fund and all receipts go into this fund, along with the money from town meeting. Costs and charges will be deducted from that fund. Peggy Gallagher will supply the figures of the indirect costs from last year to Craig Wiegand. The special revenue fund allows for the indirect costs to be charged. Indirect costs were determined by the rate study. The Board of Water Commissioners will now look at charging the town for water usage and fire protection. These charges will not exceed the indirect costs being charged to the department. George Cavanaugh made a motion to have a meeting with Wayne Melville to discuss this further, and a vote could be taken at the next Water Dept meeting. The indirect costs need to be offset. Danette Gonsalves seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to approve. The debt service going forward from July 1st will belong to the fund. The old debt service is not being charged to the fund presently. Where does the Water Dept. stand with the old debt at this time? It was also determined that all reports will be done on a quarterly basis and line items adjusted accordingly, so all figures will be known on an interim basis. Peggy Gallagher asked if the Water Dept can get someone to do financial accounting to go along with the Munis system software. Superintendent Wiegand explained that this was definitely a consideration. The Town Accountant also stated that she will be available for assistance for the staff when the new software is installed.

Budget discussion - Overtime figures have been recalculated and adjusted per Mr. Wiegand. Corrections have been sent to the Finance Committee.

Mr. Wiegand explained that the Barnstable County Lab is now going through some restructuring. Test results are not being returned in a timely fashion. He has decided to use Groundwater Analytical Lab until things are up and running again at the Barnstable County Lab. The Board agreed with this change.

Superintendent's report given by Mr. Wiegand.

The computer for the SCADA system needs to be replaced and the amount will be $1,485.00. The Board voted to approve this expenditure.

Next meeting dates will be February 10th and February 24th.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.

Donald T. Bates,Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent