Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

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

Meeting called to order at 8:15 am.

Mr. Alex Spanos will be in to discuss the high consumption noted on his bill. Per Superintendent Wiegand, his meter is currently being tested for accuracy however the results have not yet come in. When Assistant Superintendent Cahoon went out to the property he found two toilet leaks. The second appointment scheduled is Kate Harlow, representing the Walden Woods Neighborhood Association. She is requesting that water shed signs be placed in the Walden Woods neighborhood.

George Cavanaugh moved to approve the minutes. Per Superintendent Wiegand, approve but noting one change to be made as follows. Change from "went over this year's budget by $10,000.00," to, "we went over this month's allocated percentage for overall year's budget." Danette Gonsalves seconded motion. Unanimous vote to approve.

Request from the Town to waive the fee to install new meter at the round-a-bout at Route 139. Motion to approve made by George Cavanaugh. The motion was seconded by Donald Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.

Superintendent Wiegand requested permission to send a memo to Leo Peloquin to move along completion of contracts for Water Department employees. Request was seconded by George Cavanaugh.

Superintendent Wiegand shared pictures of Well #10. To help cleaning and maintenance easier, a new submersible pump had been added to make the process easier to pull out.

Today at 12:00 pm, the job announcement closes for Treatment Operator vacancy. Superintendent Wiegand made motion to request permission to offer the job to one of the applicants once the job announcement has been closed. The candidate has all of the appropriate licenses. Motion was seconded by George Cavanaugh and there was a unanimous vote to approve.

Per Superintendent Wiegand, he would like to have different Water Department employees try out the foreman position for a period of three months (ninety days). The position will be open to employees who are willing to try out the position. If it doesn't appear there is anyone properly suited for the position, the job will be open to the public. The job has already been offered as a trial to one employee for the next ninety days at a temporary pay raise.

Ms. Kate Harlow came before the Board on behalf of the Walden Woods Neighborhood Association. Walden Woods is between Route 139 and Route 137. The neighborhood has had a recent problem with dog owners being inappropriate with the cleanup of their dog's excrements. The neighborhood association would like to get signs notifying people that this area falls within a protected watershed area and in which case would make people more aware and careful. Ms. Harlow requested that five signs be placed throughout the neighborhood. Per Superintendent Wiegand, before this can be made possible, the Water Department needs to get clarification from the Town Administrator to put these sings up due to regulations the Town has set up for putting signs up around Harwich. Danette Gonsalves asked Ms. Halow whether or not she has spoken with the Town's Animal Control Officer. Ms. Harlow had spoken with the Animal Control Officer unfortunately there is no way of pinning down who exactly is responsible because they have many people from nearby neighborhoods who also walk there dogs throughout Walden Woods. The Board informed Ms. Harlow that they will get back to her as soon as they have heard back from the Town Administrator and have reached a decision.

Mr. Alex Spanos of 10 Sea Pine Knoll, came before the Board to discuss his water bill for over $900.00. Mr. Spanos claims that it is impossible that he used 265,000 gallons of water this summer. Superintendent Wiegand explained to Mr. Spanos that when Assistant Superintendent Bruce Cahoon went to the property he did find two toilet leaks. Superintendent Wiegand also explained that before any decision can be made, they need to make sure the meter is accurate and per conversation with Regan Supply and Testing yesterday the results were not yet in. George Cavanaugh further explained the Harwich Water Department policy that states when water goes through the meter it becomes the homeowner's responsibility and are responsible for paying the bill. At the present time the Board does not have enough information to make a decision. If the test results show something is wrong with the meter, the Board will certainly make an adjustment on the bill. Mr. Spanos explained that he does have an irrigation system however his lawn is very small and the system was shut down early this season. Per Superintendent Wiegand, the only thing that can be done right now is to wait until the meter results come back. The decision will be discussed and made at the next meeting to be held on November 21, 2006.

Letter to the Water Department from owner of account number 3745 regarding their large water bill. Owner used 362,000 gallons and after we went to the property to d o a re-read, an additional 22,000 gallons had been used. We did as much testing as possible around the property for leaks, given that we were unable to get into the property.

Superintendent Wiegand also received a letter from the owner of account number 8335 also disputing their high water bill. Owner had received a bill for 915,000 gallons of usage. In their letter to Superintendent Wiegand, they explained that they refused to pay the full amount of the bill, but were willing to pay $295.00 which is the amount they paid for the same billing period last year. The owner's meter has also been sent out to be tested for accuracy. The Board will send a letter to the customer explaining that his payment is not sufficient, but that they could come before the Board and discuss their case. A letter will be sent to both of account numbers 771 and 8335, noting that they have the option to apply for abatement and further appeal it at the State level. If payment is not received, water will be shut off.

Mr. Steven Harris's request for easement has been finalized. The Water Department will pay him $7,500.00. The agreement was drafted by Mike Ford. The Board has the opportunity to make changes in the agreement if they feel necessary. George Cavanaugh made a motion to approve the easement and payment of $7,500.00 to Mr. Harris as is. Motion was seconded by Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.

Second request from the Town was made to waive the meter fee for the Earle Road Comfort Station. Superintendent Wiegand informed the Board that account numbers have been assigned to both the Rec and Highway Departments for water usage. Board approved request.

Discussion regarding upcoming holiday schedules for Christmas and New Years. Superintendent Wiegand requested that the Board allow the Water Department employees to work one hour of overtime each night during the weeks of December 22nd and December 29th and thus be allowed to leave work at 12:00 pm on Friday, December 22nd and Friday, December 29th. Town Hall employees leave at 12:00 pm on both of those dates. Unanimous vote to approve.

December meeting dates scheduled for December 5, 2006 and December 19, 2006.

Per Superintendent Wiegand, as of July 1, 2007, health insurance will be going up twenty-three and one-half percent. Health insurance just went up ten percent the past month.

Motion to adjourn made by George Cavanaugh. Motion was seconded by Danette Gonsalves.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 am.

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