BWC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016

 

Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners

Town Hall Conference Room

Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 6:00 PM

Commissioners Present:  Justina Carlson, Chair, Neil Gadwa, James Hood, Catharie Nass

Commissioners Absent:

Also Present: Gail Ferguson, Roy Maher of WhiteWater, Inc., WMWS Manager Michaela Miteva

Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Operator’s Report

Maher updated the Board on the status of the electrical system at the Coles Neck Station.  A part is on order and will be installed when it arrives.  Gadwa concurred with Maher’s assessment that a circuit breaker needs to be replaced.

Maher has noticed leaks in the rooves of both stations and is attempting to repair them himself.  In the event that the repairs do not hold up, a contractor will need to be contacted.  Miteva suggested that Cape Light Compact, who has weatherized other Town buildings for free, should be approached.

Maher spoke about the leak that was detected at 115 Holbrook Ave in February.  In response water service was turned off at the street and the owner notified.  Water usage will be determined at the spring meter reading.

Gadwa asked about the security of the SCADA system, as there have been breaches in security at other systems in the country.  Maher said that it was not clear to him whether WMWS has a cyber security system, and that there are no security systems on the buildings at this time.  The Board agreed that this issue become an agenda item for a meeting in the near future.

Manager’s Report

Miteva presented her report to the Board, indicating that recently the bulk of her time had been spent on preparation for the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for April 25.

Status of Tower Painting & Repair

Miteva has begun work on a Request for Qualifications in order to gather information on recommended mitigation methods for the tank repairs.

Herring River Restoration Project & WMWS Concerns

Chair Carlson distributed copies of an email sent by a resident regarding concerns about the Herring River Restoration Project, the impact on private wells, and the response of the BWC.  The Board discussed the concerns outlined in the email.  It was agreed that most of the concerns would be more properly addressed by the Herring River Restoration Project managers.  Chair Carlson volunteered to respond to the resident.  Nass agreed to make contact with the Project Manager, Martha Craig, to further the discussion.

Briar Lane/Outer Cape Health Expansion Discussion

To date, 13 out of 31 surveys sent to Briar Lane abutters regarding their interest in connecting to the WMWS have been received.  Responses include a mix of levels of interest, and a mix of property owner knowledge of the quality of their well water.

Hood reported that nothing new has developed since the last update about the re-building of the Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS) Wellfleet facility.  He had, however, informed the project hydrologist of the possibility of Neil Gadwa’s assistance in drilling a test hole to determine water quality prior to drilling a well.  The area at OCHS Wellfleet that has been identified for a new well site is limited to a roughly five foot by five foot square.

Public Outreach

Chair Carlson presented her work on developing an outreach plan for the WMWS.  It was noted that the surveys put out to Briar Lane are a resource for concerns and questions that residents have about the Municipal Water System that should be addressed in any outreach sessions that are developed. 

Nass agreed to contact the Silent Spring Institute for more information.

Hood suggested the BWC contact the Non-Resident Tax Payers to get on their agenda and discuss WMWS expansion plans with them.

BWC Member Recruitment

The vacancy on the Board has been advertised in The Provincetown Banner and The Cape Codder.  One application has been received.

Master Plan Discussion

The Board discussed 2016 Warrant Articles in preparation for the Annual Town Meeting.  The Board made it clear that it would not expend potentially appropriated funds unless and until it is proven that Outer Cape Health Services can stay and build on site in Wellfleet.

Minutes

Chair Carlson moved to approve the 3/15/16 BWC minutes as presented; Nass seconded; the motion passed 4-0. 

Correspondence

  • Email from L. Green to the BWC regarding concerns with the Herring River Restoration Project and the WMWS
  • Notice from the Department of Environmental Protection dated 3/15/16 regarding the Revised Total Coliform Rule

Topics of Future Concern

  • System Vulnerability, both cyber and physical
  • Impact of the Mayo Creek Restoration Project

Agenda: April 19, 2016

  • Briar Lane/Outer Cape Health Expansion Discussion
  • Public Outreach
  • Master Plan Discussion
  • New Member Recruitment

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room, 2nd floor.  

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.                          

Public Records Materials of 4/5/16

  1. Operator’s Report dated 4/5/16
  2. Manager’s Report dated 3/2/16 – 4/5/16
  3. Email from L. Green to the BWC
  4. Notice from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Revised Total Coliform Rule, dated 3-15-16