TOWN OF WILTON

WATER COMMISIONERS

MINUTES

Approved 3/31/10

 

DATE:            January 27, 2010

TIME:            7:30 P.M.

PLACE:          Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

PRESENT:     Water Commissioners Charlie McGettigan, Stanley Shultz, Jim Tuttle, and Clerk Heather Loewy Nichols

 

Mr. McGettigan called the meeting to order at 7:52 p.m.

 

1.      Election of Chairman

Mr. Schultz noted that he would prefer to elect a chairman now rather than wait until after the March election.

Mr. Tuttle explained that with the difficulties he was having he could not continue to do the work required of the chair and agreed that the Commission needs someone to be the Chairman from now until March.

 

Mr. McGettigan noted that he was willing to serve.

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Schultz and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle to appoint a current Chairman.

Voting: motion carried unanimously. 

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Schultz and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle to appoint Charlie McGettigan as Chairman.

Voting: motion carried unanimously.   

 

2.      Appoint Clerk

A MOTION was made by Mr. McGettigan and SECONDED by Mr. Schultz to hire Heather Loewy Nichols as the Commission’s Clerk. 

 

The Commissioners discussed the need to include the Clerk’s rate of pay in the motion for clarification.

The motion was AMENDED to include “at the rate of $14.50 an hour.”

 

Mr. Tuttle noted that he also received a resume from Mary LaChance and he would like the Board to consider her for the Clerk position in the future if the need arises. 

 

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

 

3.      Minutes of January 6, 2010 and November 30, 2009

Joanna Eckstrom noted that the minutes of November 30, 2010 have never been approved. She noted that there are minutes which stated that Ms. Eckstrom was present at the meeting as a member of the public but she performed the duties of secretary at the meeting. She noted that she posted the minutes she took on December 2, 2009 and she wrote a letter to Will Sullivan on behalf of the Commision the day after the meeting.

 

The Board discussed communications that had been sent to Ms. Eckstrom. Mr. McGettigan stated that the letters Ms. Eckstrom received stated that her services were not needed. Mr. Tuttle disagreed and stated that the letters did not state that she was terminated that she was not to come to anymore meetings. Mr. Tuttle also disputed the opinion that he had invited Ms. Eckstrom to future meetings.

 

Ms. Eckstrom noted that that she was at the November 30th meeting, recorded the meeting for three hours, and was asked to perform duties throughout the meeting that a secretary would perform. She also noted that everyone from the public acknowledged her at the meeting as the Secretary of the Commission and she would like to see one of two versions of the minute adopted. In response to a question from Mr. McGettigan, Ms. Eckstrom stated that she notified the Board that she had a conflict and could not come to the October meeting.

 

Mr. Schultz stated that he would like the record to show that he was unaware that the Board had hired a secretary as it had not been decided upon by the group.

 

Mr. Tuttle suggested that the Board approve the minutes taken by Ms. Eckstrom because they include his objections to October 28th minutes.

 

After further discussion, a MOTION was made by Mr. Schultz and SECONDED Mr. Tuttle to accept the minutes of November 30, 2010 as written by Ms. Eckstrom.

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

 

The Commissioners reviewed the minutes of January 6, 2010.

 

The minutes of January 6, 2010 were ACCEPTED without objection.

 

4.      Water Bills

A MOTION was made by Mr. Schultz to raise the water bills by $10 every six months.

 

Mr. Tuttle questioned whether it would be more appropriate to raise bills by a percentage.

 

Mr. Schultz stated that he is proposing that the base rate be raised $10 so that there is a charge of $45 per unit. He stated that he is not sure that $2 per thousand is an appropriate fee considering that the costs of chemicals, increase in electricity costs, and considering the repairs that have been needed recently.

 

Mr. Tuttle noted that that Carl acquired two chlorinators from Jaffrey for free.

 
Mr. Schultz noted that the Commission has a right to change the fees before the billing cycle and if  things are going downhill in July and August they can change the rate in September and noted that he does not want to give the end users an expensive bill unless it necessary.

 

In response to a question from Mr. Tuttle, Mr. Schultz stated that the increased fee would increase revenue by $18,000 per year.

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that he could support the increase as long as the Commission reviews the rate during the summer. 

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Tuttle and SECONDED by Mr. Schultz that the Commission advertise public notice for a March public hearing to entertain a $10 increase and have a public meeting before the regularly scheduled March meeting, noting the increase will be subject to review midyear.

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

 

5.      Budget

Selectman Dick Rockwood stated that there is confusion as to what numbers the Commission is presenting to the Budget Committee and question why the budget that the Budget Committee reviewed had an increase from $251,600 last year to $331,000. This year.

 

Mr. Tuttle noted that the budget includes the Dale Street project which will require an excavator as they will have to deal with the ledge. He also noted that the budget includes Carl’s labor costs. 

 

Mr. Schultz left the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

 

Mr. Tuttle noted that he was having difficulty getting a current list of users from the town clerk’s office and that he feels that some of the current locations should be charged for more than one unit because they are pulling extra water.

 

Mr. McGettigan stated that he thinks the system is good and does not want to change it.

 

6.      Bill payment

Mr. Tuttle explained that the Commission had received a letter from Underwater Solutions looking to confirm that the Commission wants them to inspect the tank this spring. He noted that this company will inspect the tank with a diver and if they agree the cost will only be $200 more than last year ($3,050), however the letter of intent needs to be signed by February 1st.  He noted that they could use this company to inspect the coating on the interior of the tank.

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that he would move that the Commission lock in the price from Underwater Solutions and noted that while he does not to think the offer will be good for another month he does not think the Commissioners need to decide on the issue this evening.  The Board however decided to not sign this contract.

 

The Commissioners reviewed a proposal from Ciardelli for the propane. Carl noted that the tanks are currently full so nothing can be done currently but suggested that the Commissioners consider the proposal when there is no gas left in the tank. Mr. Tuttle stated that the current price that Ciardelli is offering is $2.29 per gallon and they just paid $2.69 per to Suburban Propane. He also noted that there would be no charge for a new tank at that price.

 

7.      Update on Back Flow Devices

Mr. Tuttle explained that Randy Dunn had all the devices installed at Souhegan and he questioned whether the Commissioners would accept an inspection that was done by his contractor who is certified by NE Water Works rather than having NE Backflow inspect it. Mr. McGettigan and Mr. Tuttle found no objection to Mr. Dunn using his own inspector as long as he is certified.

 

Mr. Tuttle explained that with regard to Roedele’s, he has a letter from NE Backflow that states that only one device on Souhegan Street would not be a good idea. He explained that they will probably need five devices, one for the wood building, and four on Souhegan Street. Mr. Tuttle stated that the customer needs to figure out what is currently there and what needs to be put in, both of which will be done at the customers expense. He also noted that he told the customer that there is a possibility that the devices could be phased in.

 

Mr. Tuttle noted that Wilton Falls is still working on their devices.

 

Mr. Tuttle explained that the School Board has discussed putting money in the budget for the devices at FRES. He explained that they are discussing the possibility of placing the device internally. He noted that the Commissioners might be willing to work for the school if they need to go outside. He stated that Ms. Fisk was vocal about the costs and he told them they might be willing to work with the school.

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that he talked to Morris about the recycling center device and they have one live line by the office that remains live when the rest are is shut off. After discussion, the commissioners suggested that they could use a ¾” device and meter. 

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that the two cemeteries do not have meters or backflow devices but he has talked to them about having a system that could be put in in the spring and taken out in the fall.

 

Mr. Tuttle also suggested that they Commissioners consider a valve to shut off the river crossing device.

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that he has been working on getting contact information for someone in charge for the Draper Energy building. He stated that he was able to contact someone and they are happy to have the devices installed so now it is just a matter of getting the project coordinated.

 

Mr. Tuttle stated that he appeared before the WLC Board and advised them to put $4000 in their budget explained that they cannot afford to give them free water. He noted that the conversation moved into a discussion about the bill for the water main break this summer. 

 

Mr. Tuttle questioned whether the Commissioners should but a ¾” device at the town barn.

 

8.       Water Payments and Income

The Commissioners discussed the Martel bill as Mr. Tuttle had some concerns as to how the balance was accrued.

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. McGettigan and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle to recess the meeting.

Voting 2 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

 

Chairman McGettigan declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Heather Loewy Nichols

 

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