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 8:20 am.

Results came back for the three meters which had been sent out for testing. Each one came back within the accepted accuracy range. The Board has been asked to review and approve letters to be sent to each customer, notifying them of the results and action that must be taken. Another letter to customer of account number 3745 has been included for review and approval requesting access to their property to complete further testing for leaks and notifying them of the possibility of having their meter sent out for testing.

Superintendent Wiegand also asked the Board to review and approve a letter addressed to Steve Lombard inquiring the status and progress of the contract negotiations.

Superintendent Wiegand informed the Board that per letter from Kopleman and Paige the court date for Stagg Chevrolet has been set for Friday, December 8, 2006 in Boston.

Six abatements were presented to the Board for review and approval.

Mark White from Environmental Partners has sent Superintendent Wiegand the contract for the Water Department GASBY 34 Asset Management System to be reviewed and signed by Board members. The contract includes the scope of work, tasks to be completed, expected schedule, and estimated budget for the project.

The results from the reduced salt zone testing have come in. It was requested at a meeting a few months ago that the company be allowed to test both raw water and treated water however, after compromise was made Superintendent Wiegand and the company decided to test only raw water. The tests were conducted to provide information on the possible contamination on public water sources from salt.

George Cavanaugh made a motion to approve the minutes from November 7, 2006. Motion was seconded by Danette Gonsalves.

Demand notices are being produced and are getting ready to be sent out to customers with outstanding balances. Superintendent Wiegand is hoping that by doing so they will recoup up to ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding balances.

There will be two Munis training sessions for two Water Department office employees which will be held on December 12 and 13, 2006. Munis will be working to correct problems within the system that originated when the program was installed.

Superintendent Wiegand informed the Board that demand notices will be sent out after each billing period. George Cavanaugh suggested we might think about putting a lien on outstanding accounts. Until further discussion on the matter takes places, letters will be sent out to each outstanding account notifying them of their outstanding account.

Two seasonal employees will be returning temporarily for the Christmas break.

Superintendent Wiegand met with Capital Outlay this week and was faced with several questions. They asked Superintendent Wiegand if, when we build the treatment facility at Site 10, we look into finding a site where the towns of Brewster and Dennis can tie into it for a fixed cost. Superintendent Wiegand informed Capital Outlay that this needed to be discussed with both of those Water Departments.

Jack Nedelman, from AutomaTech, presented to the Board a pilot program Superintendent Wiegand is hoping to set up for the water tank by the Cape Cod Technical High School. Last year, there was story that made headlines regarding an incident that occurred in Blackstone, Massachusetts. Kids had broken into a water tank and tampered with the water. The act of vandalism was extremely costly for the town and had long term effects. Concerns as to the security of the water tank and what precautions could have been implemented to prevent the occurrence and such a costly cleanup were brought up to the town. Superintendent Wiegand has had growing concern with the susceptibility of the water tank at the Cape Cod Tech High School to occur. The security system Jack Nedelman presented can tap into our established radio system. It is video based and is sensored by motion to detect intrusion. When motion is detected, the alarm will be triggered through the radio system. The system will record for 30 days. This will allow us to view video clips in the case of an intrusion that could be later used for prosecution. Superintendent Wiegand feels that placing three cameras at the water tank would be sufficient enough, however a visit to the site is needed to properly assess what would work best. Superintendent Wiegand expressed that if contamination, or vandalism, were to occur the long term effects can be extremely costly. Jack also explained that the system can be connected to email or Verizon so that when the alarms are sent off the video clip can be sent to the email account, or picture phone, immediately. It also has the capability to be linked to the local fire department and police departments so that when the alarm is triggered they are also immediately notified. By implementing the system, if an act of vandalism should occur we have the clip showing us who committed the act and are able to proceed with prosecution and hopefully recoup the costs of the damage. Superintendent Wiegand also brought up the issue of liability and should kids try to jump the fence into the area and were to get hurt we would have it on video.

Mr. Nedelman also informed the Board that coming out this winter, a card reading device for authorized personnel would also be available if we were interested in that feature.

The program would cost approximately $10,000.00 to put in to the works. George Cavanaugh raised the concern that there is no audible alarm with the system so that if someone were to climb the fence there would be nothing to warn intruders. Superintendent Wiegand brought up the concern that by having an audible alarm there is the possibility of disturbing residents in the area each time the alarm went off.

The Pilot Program will go through July 1, 2007. If, when the time runs out and we are satisfied with the system, we would have to put the costs into the budget.

Motion was made by Danette Gonsalves to approve the pilot study. The motion was seconded by George Cavanaugh. Unanimous vote to approve.

Motion was made by George Cavanaugh to correct minutes, noting the change that the meter for account number 3745 was not sent out for testing, but that the meter for account number 771 was sent out. Motion was seconded by Danette Gonsalves.

Superintendent Wiegand updated the Board regarding Mr. Harris. A check was sent to him for the easement and all of the paperwork is being completed by Mike Ford.

Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 am.

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