TOWN OF WILTON

WATER COMMISIONERS

DRAFT MINUTES

 

DATE:            May 26, 2010

TIME:            7:00 P.M.

PLACE:          Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

PRESENT:     Water Commissioners Charlie McGettigan, Bob Duquette and Jim Tuttle, and Clerk Heather Loewy Nichols

 

Mr. McGettigan called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

 

1.)    Review and approve the minutes of April 28, 2010.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Tuttle and SECONDED by Mr. Duquette to approve the minutes of April 28, 2010 as written.

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

2.)    Review and approve bills for payments.

Mr. Tuttle stated that he went to Concord and completed paperwork for grants that may include funds for the Milford pipe, lower Main Street, tanks, a generator for the pump station, and swales on Route 31.

Mr. Tuttle also submitted to the Commissioners data which Concord has, noting that it does not reflect the recent rate increase. He noted that updating Concord may increase the town’s chances of being awarded the grant.

Mr. Duquette expressed concern that the data includes the entire town and not just the water users and questioned where the data was gathered from.

3.)    Discuss water rate charges as a result of the NH Rural Water Association suggestions.

Mr. Tuttle explained that he has heard back from the NH Rural Water Association and the consultant has been thinking about additional items that may need to be considered. Mr. Tuttle explained that the consultant thinks once the recent batch of water bills, with the increase included, are paid then it would be appropriate to begin the review.

4.)    Discuss new reservoir inspection report.

Mr. Somero stated that he has not received a report yet but should have it in the next few weeks.

5.)    Discuss hydrant inspection with Carl Somero.

Mr. Somero stated that the hydrant flushing went well but there are three hydrants that are not draining so they will need to be taken apart.

6.)    Discuss status of unpaid water accounts and water shut off procedures.

The Commissioners reviewed the unpaid accounts as of May 25th. Mr. Tuttle noted that there was a complaint about the bill for Wilton Falls because he receives charges for six units. Mr. McGettigan stated that for an account that only uses 4,000 gallons of waters he feels that the cost is too high.

In response to a question from Mr. Duquette, Mr. Tuttle explained that there are eight to ten possible units in that building and six business names advertised on the building.

McGettigan thinks there should be some relationship between the number of units and the amount of water that is actually moved.

The Commissioners considered categorizing different businesses to determine their rates.

In response to a question from Mr. Duquette, Mr. Tuttle stated that there is currently $10,000 in unpaid water bills.

Mr. Somero noted that the shut off date has been set for next month.

The Commissioners discussed a home that is currently empty, possibly in foreclosure, and what options they might have to insure their bills are covered.

7.)    Dale Street project.

Mr. McGettigan explained that there is 150' to 200' of AC pipe in the ground at Dale Street that has had two breaks recently and the Commission has put a length of pipe in and a valve.

In response to a question from Mr. Duquette, Mr. McGettigan stated that he favors just replacing the pipe as it breaks.

Mr. Tuttle suggested that some of the unidentified leaks could be coming from that pipe and not surfacing.

Mr. Duquette suggested giving the pipe another year and see what happens.

The Board decided to leave the pipe alone at this point.

8.)    Backflow devices inspections and survey.

Mr. Somero submitted a copy of the state statute to the Commissioners, noting that it’s a gray area. Mr. Tuttle spoke to the contractor and they could report back to the Board after the first testing regarding possible high hazard locations for the Board to determine what locations need to be tested again.

A MOTION was made by Mr. McGettigan and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle to approve NE Backflow to do a onetime survey and test the backflow devices.
Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

The Board asked the clerk to send the notice letters for backflow testing by June 4th.

9.)    Highway Department labor rate, again.

Mr. Tuttle explained that he went to the Board of Selectman meeting for approval of the $26 rate the Commissioners had decided on; however the Board of Selectman stated that the rate should be $30 to include paid holidays, vacation, and insurance costs. The Commissioners agreed to the $30 rate but Mr. Tuttle noted that the Commissioners will need to pay attention to the next bill.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Duquette and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle that the Water Commissioners accept the rate of $30 set by the Board of Selectman.

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

10.)                        Backflow installations.

The Commissioners discussed the back flow device at the school. Mr. Somero noted that the school will begin construction when school gets out. The Commissioners determined that they will have a better update at the next meeting.

In response to a comment from Mr. Tuttle, Mr. Somero explained that there is no state statute that requires testing of home sprinklers and he recommends against it.

The Commissioners discussed the situation and options at the recycling center.

11.)                        Discuss consultant for Wilton Water Works.

Mr. Tuttle explained that the consultant could review the current systems and questioned whether the Commissioners would like to have the consultant come speak to the Commission. Mr. McGettigan stated that he does not think a large study is necessary but would listen to him if the consultant were to come to a meeting; however he suggested that the Commission determine what they would want to look at before bringing him in. 

12.)                        Trees around Abbot well site.

Mr. Tuttle explained that there are some trees around the compound that are starting to get big. He suggested that the other Commissioners take a look at the site because he feels there are trees that need to be taken down.

Mr. Duquette noted that the roof is getting damaged by vandalism and needs to be repaired. After discussion the Commissioners decided to investigate options and discuss them at the next meeting. 

13.)                        Hydrant painting.

Mr. Somero stated that he has a list of about twelve hydrants that need to be painted.

14.)                        Discuss any new business that may come before the meeting.

Mr. Tuttle stated that he has been in contact with Merithew and they will be scheduling the tank inspection between June 8th and 12th.

In response to a question from Mr. McGettigan, Mr. Tuttle explained that the vendor will disinfect the hoses, use a robot to inspect the interiors, and will inspect all the outside areas.

In response to a question from Mr. Duquette, Mr. Tuttle stated that a record of all digital photos taken during the evaluation will be given to the Commissioners.

Mr. Duquette questioned why the PSNH bill had such an increase, from $965 to $1280 this month. Mr. Tuttle noted that whenever there is a power outage it requires a second pump to come on and it creates a major expense.

15.)                        Adjournment

A MOTION was made by Mr. Duquette and SECONDED by Mr. Tuttle to adjourn the meeting.

Voting: 3 ayes; motion carried unanimously.

Chairman McGettigan declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Heather Loewy Nichols

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