Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Harwich Water Department

BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

Meeting on January 18, 2012

Present:  Chairman Donald Bates, Vice Chairman Allin Thompson, Clerk Danette Gonsalves, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Alexandra Bilek, Sr. Billing Administrator Wellesley Marsh, Comptroller Sandra Cummings, Carol Ridley, Paul Costello, Patrick Costello (via phone)

Chairman Donald Bates called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m.

Carol Ridley of the East Harwich Collaborative Group was in attendance.  She provided a brief synopsis of the project and requested a letter of comment from the Board.  The Board agreed to take it under advisement.

Superintendent Wiegand began a discussion about becoming a Water District.  He said he tried to set up a meeting with Attorney Patrick Costello, who formerly worked for Town Counsel, but he was not available in person.  Attorney Costello called in and briefed the Board about becoming a Water-Sewer District.  Vice Chairman Thompson moved to research costs and issues related to a study of the Department and all of the potential operations of a Water District in any form with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

Superintendent Wiegand asked the Board if he could use some of the money left from the Treatment Plant to install gutters in the amount of $11,000.  Vice Chairman Thompson moved to authorize the installation of gutters on the Water Treatment Plant in the sum of $11,000 with a second by Clerk Gonsalves; 3-0-0.

Superintendent Wiegand informed the Board that the Department was awarded SRF Funding of $10.5 million for a Treatment Plant at Well 10 in North Harwich.  Paul Costello told the Board that out of 50 applications Harwich was chosen.  He said the need for Well 10 is for a redundant system in case something happens to the primary well field.  Mr. Wiegand said we would need to submit an article for the Special Town Meeting stating we want to appropriate $10.5 million from the SRF Funding.  He said we do not have to spend it or accept it, but at least have the paperwork filed should we decide to proceed.  Mr. Wiegand said one of the caveats of this project is that it has to be green energy possibly using solar panels.  He would like to invest money into the solar aspect to see if we can generate enough money to pay for the principal and interest on the loan.  Mr. Costello said the interest rate for the loan could go from 2% to 0% for renewable energy.

The Board will meet again on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. with a motion by Clerk Gonsalves and seconded by Chairman Bates; 3-0-0.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________                                   ______________________________

Donald T. Bates, Chairman                                                    Craig Wiegand, Superintendent

____________________________                                   _______________________________

Allin P. Thompson, Vice Chairman                                       Alexandra Bilek, Secretary

____________________________

Danette Gonsalves, Clerk

Commissioners Meeting Minutes 1/18/2012 (pdf)