BWC Minutes
Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, December 17, 2015, 6:00 PM
Commissioners Present: Justina Carlson, Chair, James Hood, Catharie Nass, Lori Vanderschmidt
Commissioners Absent: Neil Gadwa
Also Present: System Manager Michaela Miteva, Town Administrator Harry Terkanian, Graduate Student Maria Sol Ucciani of Tufts University School of Environmental Engineering
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:12 PM.
Tufts Project Final Presentation/Master Planning
Maria Ucciani began by informing the Board that she plans to complete her work in early January, and at that point, will be sending a copy of both her presentation and her written report.
Ucciani presented her material and fielded questions from the Board. Discussion centered on the benefits of ductile iron pipe versus PVC pipe, and the benefits of looping within the system.
Hood expressed an interest in how Eastham handles testing of private wells. Some towns have mandatory water testing and inspections for rental properties, but Wellfleet does not.
The Board expressed its appreciation of Ucciani’s efforts.
Manager’s Report
Manager Miteva submitted the Manager’s Report for 12-17-15. She highlighted a couple of items. One of those items was that Robert B. Our won the bidding to be the water system’s On-Call Emergency Contract Services. They were the only applicant.
Manager Miteva informed the Board of the brief, impromptu meeting with Dan Johnson of Chicago Bridge and Iron (CB&I) regarding the liability of repairing and repainting the water storage tank.
The RFP for vendors for water storage tank repairs is being created and will be posted shortly.
Annual Report Review
Nass moved to accept the 2015 Annual Report as amended; Hood seconded; the motion passed 4-0.
Cumberland Farms Water Issues
Miteva explained that in 2011 Cumberland Farms received a permit from MassDOT to work on Rt. 6 in order to expand the water system to their store on Rt. 6 in Wellfleet. Due to various hurdles Cumberland Farms has not been able to proceed with the project and has had to seek extensions for the work permit. They received their latest extension from the MassDOT on 12-3-15.
Briar Lane Expansion: Draft Financial Model
The Board re-capped the ideas generated at the previous meeting and discussed them with TA Terkanian. He recommends that Town Counsel be consulted on the option of imposing a hydrant fee. He suggests that the Board consider employing a betterment fee. It is a different approach in that the property owner is charged to help pay for the improvement made to the property.
The discussion moved to imposing a tax for the Briar Lane Expansion. TA Terkanian stated that a combination of a betterment fee, a tax, and modest connection fees would be the best mix, with the debt service being paid for by the tax. The Board agreed that using a professional consultant would be critical in making decisions. TA Terkanian pointed out that the Water Reserve Fund could be used to hire such a consultant.
Vanderschmidt restated her opinion that the Board should provide community education on the need for expanding the municipal water system.
Nass agreed to compile notes on the Board’s financial model planning for the next meeting.
OCHS Plan Update
Hood updated the Board on the progress of the rebuilding project at Outer Cape Health Center (OCHS). They are putting together their application for USDA funding. The decision is expected in April. OCHS is looking for a 100% loan less any funding that they are able to raise, for what is estimated to be a cost of approximately $13 million.
The Board discussed the possibility of producing a warrant article that requests funding for the entire projected cost of the expansion as a capital expense.
Hood continued to recused himself from the deliberation and the vote.
Vanderschmidt made the motion to pursue funding official opportunities with the USDA pending authorization of voters, Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee in the amount of $1.2 million; Nass seconded; the motion passed 3-0.
Review of BWC Charge
It was reiterated that the Board needs to renew its focus on policy and leave daily operations to the staff.
Chair Carlson expressed her concern that there is no regular direct communication between the BWC, the Town Administrator, and the Board of Selectmen. She would like to see that improved.
Re-Classification Study Job Descriptions for WMWS Clerk & EA to the Town Administrator
The discussion was tabled.
Minutes
Hood moved to approve the 12/1/15 BWC minutes as presented; Chair Carlson seconded; the motion passed 3-0.
Correspondence
The only item was a notice from MassDOT stating that Cumberland Farms had received another extension to Permit #5-2011-0552 for work on Rt. 6.
Agenda: January 5, 2016
- BWC Charge Review
- BWC Policy Discussion on Leak Mitigation and Cost Forgiveness for Customers
- Master Planning Work Plan Timeline
- Financial Model Presentation Discussion
- BWC Recommendation For On-Call Emergency Contract Services
- RFP for Water Storage Tank Repair Vendors
- CCNS Shorebird Management Program
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 5, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room, 2nd floor.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM.
Public Records Materials of 12/17/15
- WMWS Manager’s Report
- Draft of BWC 2015 Annual Report
- Letter from TA Terkanian to MassDOT dated 12-1-15
- Notice from MassDOT to TA Terkanian dated 12-3-15