BWC Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

 

Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners

Town Hall Conference Room

Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 6:00 PM

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

Commissioners Absent: Curt Felix

Also Present: WMWS Manager Michaela Miteva

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

2015 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Draft vote

The Board reviewed the Draft 2015 CCR and the drafted revisions presented by Miteva.  These revisions were refined and used to amend the CCR draft.

Hood made the motion to approve the 2015 Consumer Confidence Report as amended; Chair Carlson seconded; the motion passed 3-0.

Miteva presented a notice she had received at her home in Orleans regarding the CCR for Orleans.  Their water system is sending out cards that advertise where the CCR can be found online instead of incurring the expense of a bulk mailing.  She stated that this may be an idea for the future when the WMWS expands.

Status of Tower Painting & Repair – Review of Proposals for Bid Specifications

Miteva related the options that Paul Millett of Environmental Partners Group (EPG) provided to her in response to a request for a proposal for bid specifications.  EPG offered to either provide bid specifications only for $1,100, or to do the whole project, including the preparation of complete bid documents, for $4,300. 

Nass arrived during the discussion.

Chair Carlson made the motion to accept EPG’s proposal to provide a complete set of bid documents for $4,300; Gadwa seconded; the motion passed 4-0.  Miteva and Chair Carlson will follow up with TA Terkanian.

Public Outreach/Communication Points

Miteva stated that she has reserved two nights at the Wellfleet Public Library in September and October for public outreach events.  Fire Chief Pauley has been contacted and welcomes the opportunity to participate.  The Board agreed on the September 20, 2016 date.  Miteva will produce a press release.  Chair Carlson suggested having a literature table, refreshments and Town water to drink at the event.

Nass suggested that future events should address common misconceptions about the WMWS.  The effects of the system on the aquifer, water quality and the financial challenges that the system faces, are some that have been mentioned.

The Board asked Miteva to reserve a second date at the Library for a second outreach event.

State Property Designations and BWC Connection Fee Policy

The Board deliberated over the topic of the charging connection fees based on the State Property Designations in comparison to other towns on the Cape that charge by the size of the service that is deemed appropriate for the individual property.

The Board agreed to keep the current policy in place but perhaps create a mechanism for customers to apply for an exemption or abatement in the future.  Going forward with a new financial model a new connection fee schedule will have to be considered.

Master Plan Discussion

Chair Carlson would like the Board to have a working cost per foot for expanding the water system down Rt. 6 toward S. Wellfleet and Indian Neck.  Nass agreed to summarize the work that has been done to this point in order to brief the new Town Administrator. 

Minutes

Hood moved to approve the 5/17/16 BWC minutes as amended; Gadwa seconded; the motion passed 4-0. 

Correspondence

  • Letter from Mass DEP announcing the opening of the solicitation period for new water projects seeking financing through the State Revolving Funds, dated 6-2-16.

Topics of Future Concern

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

Agenda: June 21, 2016

  • Operator’s Report
  • Manager’s Report
  • WMWS Status Report
  • Water Tower Repair Bid Specification Proposal
  • Wellfleet Community Forum Opportunity in July
  • Public Outreach/Communication Points

Next Meeting:

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room, 2nd floor.  

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 PM.                          

Public Records Materials of 6/7/16

  1. 2015 WMWS Consumer Confidence Report Draft
  2. Email from Paul Millett of EPG, dated 5-23-16
  3. Letter from Mass DEP, dated 6-2-16.