Commissioners Meeting Minutes 02/05/2002
Meeting called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairman Gonsalves.
Police Chief Mason and Lt. Gomes came to the Board to discuss traffic details and overtime schedules and procedures. Chief Mason stated that his department has been down by 5 people for a long period of time. He has had minimum staffing on the streets, and this is his first priority. Lt. Gomes explained that he is in charge of the uniformed personnel and that he tries to fill details as they come in, but he can not order people to work overtime unless it is an emergency. He has 16 shifts that are being worked by his personnel. Mr. Sinclair asked why the Harwich Police Dept. does not call other police departments to fill details. Per Lt. Gomes it was done that way at one time but not anymore, and details are all voluntary. The Water Dept. can call the State Police or the Sheriffis Dept. for coverage of details if Harwich cannot fill the request as they have more resources available. Harwich Police is working on putting a mutual agreement in place with Brewster and Chatham, but there are liability problems which still need to be worked out. Mr. Wiegand asked if the Water Dept can set up criteria with the Police Dept. to use flagmen if no Police details are available. There are too many liability issues and they would have no police powers per Lt. Gomes, and safety is the main concern. Some of the problems could possibly be worked out by giving as much advance notice as possible stated Lt. Gomes. Last summer was extremely busy due to construction on Route 6 at both Exit 9 and the bike bridge per Chief Mason. The County is also flat out with work per Lt. Gomes. Also 5 new officers have just been appointed to the department and all will be finished with the academy by late spring. Chief Mason is working on a 5 chief association between Harwich, Chatham, Brewster, Orleans and Eastham for joint cross training and jurisdictions. Mr. Sinclair asked about a revolving detail account with other towns. Harwich cannot pay other towns through the revolving detail account; the other towns would have to bill us directly per Lt. Gomes. The Police Dept. will help out in an emergency such as a water main break, even if it is on Police Dept. time said Lt. Gomes., and some work can still go ahead depending on the location. He also stated that town departments do get preference in their detail requests. Mr. Wiegand stated that the Water Dept. appreciates that, and that we will provide as much advance notice as possible.
With regard to an emergency response plan, Mr. Wiegand asked to have all the police officers and firefighters go through the Water Dept. buildings so as to be familiar with the layouts and what is located in each building. We will also provide building plans to both departments. Lt. Gomes asked to be contacted by Mr. Wiegand directly so as to go forward with this plan.
Fire Chief Peterson spoke to the Board as to what he considers priority for fire protection. The Route 28 reconstruction of hydrants needs to be addressed. The Chief thanked the Board and the Department for the hydrant and valve replacement work done on the Parallel St. Chief Peterson stated that he feels there is inadequate fire protection in Harwichport due to the fact that the hydrants are all the old Matthews models. He expressed concern about the tie between North Harwich and West Harwich, and the Lower County Road loop. The Lower County Road area is old and needs work, and the area under the bridges along there drop to an 8i main from a 16i main. A piece of 16i main from the elevated tank on Route 39 to John Joseph Road also was never installed per the Chief. Also the water quality in the Moss Hill, Mark Lane, and Allen St. area needs to be addressed. Chief Peterson also thinks the Board should be persistent about the new tank and the site near the Tech school as it is an excellent location. Per Mr. Wiegand there needs to be a hydraulic model of the system. The original main here at the station has been encrusted and needs replacing. Mr. Wiegand is investigating a laser cut well next to well #4 to try to get to different strata. GIS is doing some mapping work on it now.
With regard to an emergency response plan, Chief Peterson stated the Fire Department already has one in place which he will provide to Mr. Wiegand, and he feels a refresher course of the buildings and layouts for his personnel is an excellent idea.
Minutes of 1/15/02. Mr. Sinclair made a motion to approve as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.
A total of 11 new service applications were signed by the Board members. With regard to the applications for the new Pine Oaks Village housing complex on Oak St., Mr. Sinclair questioned if both water and fire sprinkler protection were both being provided off a 2i main to each building, and whether irrigation can be run off Buildings B & C. The fire sprinklers and domestic water services are separate in each building per Mr. Wiegand, and irrigation will be allowed off both Buildings B & C as they have less units than the other buildings.
The Board reviewed and signed the agreement submitted by Haley & Ward for miscellaneous engineering services. Mr. Sinclair made the motion to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.
The service installer insurance coverage list was reviewed and found to be all in order.
Abatements for services #1912, 1797 and 4927 were signed per a motion by Mr. Sinclair. Mr. Bates seconded the motion. Unanimous vote to approve.
A letter from Environmental Partners Group regarding water cad service was presented by Mr. Wiegand for review by the Board. A motion was made by Mr. Bates to sign the proposed mapping of the townis water system. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sinclair. Unanimous vote by the Board to approve.
A request by East Coast Water Works to be placed on the contractor installer list was presented and found to be in order. Due to the excellent letters of recommendation submitted, Mr. Sinclair made a motion to approve the request. Mrs. Gonsalves seconded the motion. Unanimous approval by the Board.
The abatement letters for services #3834 and 2723 were signed by the Board members.
The Superintendent's report was given by Mr. Wiegand. See copy attached.
The office has received calls regarding water quality test kits which have been placed on mailboxes in various areas of town. This is an independent contractor trying to sell water filters, and has nothing to do with the Water Department. A disclaimer will be placed in the local papers by Superintendent Wiegand.
Board reorganization. A motion was made by Mrs. Gonsalves nominating Donald Bates as Chairman, Gary Sinclair as Vice Chairman, and Danette Gonsalves as Clerk. The motion was seconded by Gary Sinclair. Unanimous vote to approve.
Bills from Bell Plumbing & Heating discussed. According to Mr. Sinclair they are not itemized as to labor and materials being broken out and the Board should not sign un-itemized bills. Mr. Wiegand will contact Herb Bell. Approval was also given to reimburse Philip Sparrow for $15.00 for license renewal.
Water Department Rules and Regulations should be set up for discussion at the next meeting. Irrigation system installations also need to be addressed.
Tentative meeting dates discussed as follows:
February - 05 and 19
March - 05 and 19
April - 02 and 16 and 30
May - 07 and 21
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Danette Gonsalves, Chairman
Donald Bates, Vice Chairman
Gary Sinclair, Clerk
Carol M. Connor, Secretary
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