BWC Minutes
Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, August 18, 2015, 6:00 PM
Commissioners Present: Justina Carlson, Chair, Neil Gadwa, James Hood Catharie Nass, Lori Vanderschmidt
Others Present: Roy Maher, WhiteWater, Inc., WMWS Manager Michaela Miteva, Select Board Member Helen Miranda Wilson
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
Operator’s Report
Roy Maher presented the latest WhiteWater Operator’s Report. Selectwoman Wilson suggested that someone be responsible for monitoring the test wells for water levels. Wilson agreed to send historical data.
USDA Phase II Funding Update
The new tools that were ordered with the remainder of the USDA funds for Phase II equipment have been received. All but $335.00 has been spent. The remainder will stay in reserve.
Tower Inspection and Paint Update
A thorough report was issued by Underwater Solutions, the contractor who inspected the water storage tank.
Critical items of the report were highlighted and sent to Town Counsel for procedural recommendations. Based on recommendations from EPG, the BWC would request partial if not full correction of the problem from Chicago Bridge & Iron once Town Counsel approves the action.
Public Water Supply Land Grant
50% grant funding up to $350,000 is available for the purchase of land or land interests through the Mass DEP. The deadline for the grant application is 9/30/15. Selectwoman Wilson suggested that some property owners may choose to sell rights to the WMWS for watershed protection. The BWC will look into the possibility, and start by gathering names of abutters.
Financial Models / Master Planning
Nass presented her work on bringing the water main to Indian Neck and Pleasant Point. Using data obtained from the Board of Health she found high sodium levels in a substantial number of properties in those areas. She plans to continue her work going further south into the Old Wharf Rd area.
Miteva presented her efforts in securing help from the EPA for updating the Master Plan.
Tufts Project
Vanderschmidt presented the scope of work and time table proposed by Maria Ucciani of the Tufts Engineering Graduate School. Board members expressed their concern that the project as presented may be too ambitious and may need to be revised.
Minutes of 7/21/15
Chair Carlson moved to approve the 7/21/15 BWC minutes; seconded by Hood; motion passed 5-0.
Correspondence
Eversource sent a letter regarding herbicide spraying scheduled to take place beginning on September 1, 2015, to clear vegetation from power line rights of way. The merits of spraying verses pruning were discussed. Selectwoman Wilson expressed concern and supported the plan to prune vegetation in lieu of spraying. Chair Carlson stated that the public perception of spraying near a watershed would be a public relations problem. Hood agreed that the public perception is an issue, so all options need to be explored. Nass stated that dismissing the use of herbicides outright is an overreaction and does not promote the use of science or education. She recommends the BWC contact the Board of Health in order to obtain the water testing done in previous years on the impact of herbicides.
Maher was asked to make a site visit to determine the need for pruning.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the Wellfleet Town Hall in the 2nd floor Conference Room.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 PM.
Public Records Materials of 8/18/15
- WMWS Operations Report dated 8-18-15
- Email from J. Hood dated 8-7-15
- American Water Works Assoc. brochure on Smart Management for Small Water Systems
- Pleasant Point and Indian Neck Water System Expansion rough draft
- Scope of Work draft and list of “Deliverables” by M. Ucciani
- Letter from Eversource dated 7-24-15
- Letter from Town of Wellfleet dated 8-14-15