Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates Jr., Clerk George Cavanaugh, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Kelly Byrnes

Meeting called to order at 8:23 AM by Chairman Bates.

John Barker addressed the BOWC with a complaint regarding a $320.00 water service renewal fee he is being charged. Barker is currently having a water main supply line fixed which is costing him approximately $2,000.00, which does not include the $320.00 application fee. Barker told the BOWC that Chatham Water Dept. only charges $50.00 to apply for renewal and is upset that he is being charged $320.00. Superintendent Wiegand explained that he and Assistant Superintendent Cahoon sat down and discussed a way to recoup the costs of having to send a guy out to mark-out the area, complete the paperwork, labor, etc,. They realized that they were losing money sending someone out to complete the work and the $320.00 covers those costs. Fee includes taking an old service out, putting a new service on at the main, and putting a new service into the house. The fee is strictly for labor costs, not the cost of materials. Barker explained that when the guy marked out the area he also took care of other things all in one visit, therefore no other trips needed to be made. George Cavanaugh made a motion that they reduce the fee to $50.00 and that they would take the $320.00 fee under advisement for the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Donald Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.

Motion was made by George Cavanaugh to approve the minutes from the July 25, 2006 meeting as written. Motion seconded by Donald Bates.

Neil Salzillo addressed the Board about the issue with renegotiating contracts for the Water Department. He asked the BOWC if they would be willing to write a letter to Town Hall asking them to address the matter immediately.

Superintendent Wiegand is looking into putting new flooring in the building. RPM Carpets has already been in to measure. They put together an estimate which would cost approximately $2,500.00 for a new tile floor. First, going to look at what is under the existing carpets and whether or not we can keep any of it.

Superintended Wiegand also informed the Board that he is looking into possibly putting in a new forced air unit and replacing the existing furnace which is very old and on its way out.

All three contracts are out, which includes the contract for the new generator, Wells 8 and 9, and the contract for water main repairs.

Letters have been sent to residents on Gorham Road concerning their water quality. There have been about 10 responses all of which claimed they haven't had any problems. Superintendent Wiegand is currently looking at possibly putting a cement, or poly, lining in the pipes to avoid further problems. Also looking into possibly replacing the 6" section of the main with an 8" line like the rest of the street has.

A discussion regarding a field employee and the operation of the backhoe tractor. Concerns raised and discussed by Superintendent Wiegand.

Next meeting to be held on August 22, 2006

Meeting was adjourned at 8:57 am.

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