Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Harwich  Water Department  BOARD  OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Meeting  held on May 14,201 3 at 8:15a.m.

Present:  Chairman  Donald  Bates, Vice Chairman  Allin Thompson,  Clerk Danette  Gonsalves, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Comptroller Sandra Cumm ings, Office  Assistant/secretary Anna Brigham  and Billing Administrator Wellesley Marsh.  Also in attendance was Selectman  Angelo LaMantia.

Chairman Donald  Bates called  the meeting  to order at 8:15 a.m.

The minutes for the meeting  held on Apri l  23, 2013 were approved with a motion  by C lerk Gonsa l ves and seconded  by Vice Chairman Thompson; 3-0-0. Mi nutes were signed.

Board discussed New Business, Abatements. Can the staff give a onetime forgiveness on a late fee if the reason  is tru ly legitimate and the customer is in good stand ing? Board agreed.  Clerk Danette Gonsalves  made a motion,  Vice Chairman  Allin Thompson  seconded, to allow staff to give customer one time forgiveness of a late fee if it's reasonable.  Al l  in favor.

Superintendent Craig  Wiegand  discussed Provincetown. Plumber  has to certify that the leak is fixed and then the Board  cou ld vote on an abatement.  Superintendent Craig  Wiegand  reminded  the Board that the Customer has the right to appeal  the Board's decision to the State. The State  usually approves them but it's a costly  process.

Clerk Danette  Gonsal ves voted  to approve, Chairman  Donald  Bates seconded  the Consent  Agenda to deny abatement requests. Al l  in favor. Under the Rules and Regulations, i f the water goes through the meter, it's the customers' responsibility.

Angelo discussed  a possible  Water Leaking  Program for residences.  Channel 18 wou ld be a good place to educate  customers about the process  and avoiding  high costs of l eaks.

Board discussed Old Business.  Superintendent Craig Wiegand d iscussed changes  to the inter­ municipal agreement between  Brewster  and Harwich for water main access is sti ll pending. A decision  has not yet been received  from Brewster. Decision will come to the Board, then to Selectmen for approval.

Superi ntendent Wiegand  reported  that National  Grid meeting  is posted for tomorrow (Wednesday) at I 0:00 at Town Hall.  Board d i scussed  fee for markouts.   Fee should  be National Grids responsibi li ty.

Board discussed  seasonal  turn on/off  accounts. It was suggested  that we send a letter with information  about the department process and request an email  address. We would then email blast remi nders.  It will save time,  money and aggravation.  Key boxes are saving department money. Billing Administrator Wellesley Marsh described  the turn on/off process  to the Board.

Board discussed  seasonal  employees. State has an issue with job descripti on.  State  is insisting that we have to prove that the open  position  cannot  be filled by a regular employee.  It's the State's way to make the Town  pay for healt h insurance and Unemployment.  Department has put together information  and back up packages and sent to the State.

Flushing wi ll wrap u p in two weeks.  Department has received  very few complaints about water quality due to flushing.  Water quality  in general  is improving.