Present for the meeting: Commissioners Charles O. McGettigan, Jr., Robert Duquette, and Jim Tuttle; Selectmen Richard Rockwood and Steve McDonough; Citizens Randy Dunn, Charles Wagner & Chuck Crawford, Water User Karen LeGault

The minutes for the June 30 meeting were not available and therefore were not approved.

The meeting began at 7:00 PM.  Board members reviewed and approved for payment the current bills.  Several questions came up about the Powers General bills and what the service contracts with them involve.  Jim Tuttle will follow up and get clarification for the next meeting.

Karen LeGault of 24 Maple Street in Milford came to the meeting to discuss damage to a soapstone sink on her property.  The damage reportedly occurred when the Water Works was repairing a water leak on her property.  Charlie and Bob have looked at the sink and discussed the situation with Water Superintendent Carl Somero.  The board will seek advice from Town Counsel before the next scheduled monthly water meeting.

Chuck Crawford and Charles Wager came to the meeting to discuss the installation of a backflow device required by Wilton Water Works regulations on the fire service line at their property at 6 Burns Hill Road in Wilton.  Their presentation included information obtained from the International Plumbing code book, their present plumbing contractor and the State of NH Plumbing Inspector.  They also presented rules from other states.  The Wilton Water Commissioners adopted a cross-connection (backflow) control program in 2005 requiring backflow devices on all connections to the public water supply based on the State of NH requirements.  If the Water Commissioners determine a backflow control is required and the device is not installed the Commissioners can turn off the water to the building in question until the device is installed.  Mr. Crawford stated he does not recognize the authority of the Wilton Water Commissioners to require the installation of a backflow device on the fire protection line in the building. A lengthy discussion followed including comments from both Selectmen in attendance regarding the refusal of Mr. Crawford and Mr. Wagner to install the backflow device in the building.  It is noted that this is the last commercial building in town that has not installed a backflow device.  The Commissioners agreed to have Town Counsel review both the State Administrative rules (ENV-WS 364 Backflow Prevention) and the Wilton Water Works Cross-Connection Control program adopted in 2005.  Once a legal decision is obtained from Town Counsel the Wilton Water Commissioners will discuss how to proceed.  Motion made by Charles McGettigan, seconded by Bob Duquette, the Commissioners voted 3-0 in favor of this action.

Superintendent Carl Somero provided updates on various projects including backflow devices for the WLC athletic fields, 2 cemeteries, Recycling Center and FRES old building.   Carl has all the contractors lined up to proceed with the building addition to the Pump Station on Route 31 South.  The project will begin in late August.

Two repairs to residential services were completed during the past two weeks.  Both leaks were on the customer’s side of the curb stop connection.  The customers will be billed for the work performed.  One customer supplied the backhoe for the excavation work as his portion of the repair.  Motion made by Charles McGettigan, seconded by Bob Duquette, the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote.

The Commissioners discussed the need to have a signed release from property owners before work is done on private property.  Bob Duquette will draft a release for the Board to review within the next 2 weeks.  Motion made by Charles McGettigan, seconded by Bob Duquette, the motion was approved by a 3-0 vote.

A discussion followed regarding the present Secretary, Heather Nichols.  The board is experiencing problems obtaining meeting minutes and with the completion of projects on behalf of the Wilton Water Works by the Secretary.  It was moved by Charles McGettigan and seconded by Bob Duquette to terminate Heather Nichols as the Wilton Water Works Secretary for the following reasons:
• Not providing meeting minutes within the required statutory limits
• Not completing correspondence on behalf of the Wilton Water Works
• No communication with the Board between monthly meetings
• Not completing projects outside of meetings as requested by the Commissioners after agreeing to the projects at the monthly meetings
The vote was 3-0 by the Commissioners in favor of termination.  Charlie will advise Heather of the Board’s decision.

It was moved by Bob Duquette, seconded by Jim Tuttle to close the meeting.  All were in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 11:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
James A. Tuttle
Acting Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Leslie A. Tuttle