BWC Minutes
Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, May 17, 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, Town Administrator Harry Terkanian
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Operator’s Report
Maher presented his report to the Board, highlighting the fact that the replacement circuit breaker seems to be working well. The leaking rooves at both well stations have been repaired and appear to be holding. Gadwa noted that the repair material may not be UV rated, and that it should be monitored. Maher agreed to do so.
Maher also described the screen replacement and deterioration of the concrete at the base of the water tower. Gadwa suggested the use of a product called POR (Paint-Over-Rust) to mitigate the rust on the screen mount.
Manager’s Report
Miteva presented her report dated 5-17-16. Discussion over individual items came later as they appeared in the meeting agenda.
Status of Tower Painting & Repair
The Board discussed the proposal to wash, grind and repaint the rusting seams on the water tower. Gadwa pointed out that this technique would be ineffective in mitigating the rust and repairing the tower.
Since the last meeting, Gadwa examined the original cease and desist order given by Health Agent Hillary Greenberg-Lemos at the time of the tank construction. He also visited the property where the complaint about the debris from the sand blasting originated. Gadwa re-stated the need to use sand blasting as preparation for repairing and painting, as it is the industry standard, but cautioned that some form of protection from airborne particulates has to factor into the process. He also reminded the Board that the window is closing for getting the job done this calendar year.
The Board agreed that progress needs to be made soon. Miteva stated that a Request for Proposal needs (RFP) to be written in order to start the process of finding a contractor to do the job.
TA Terkanian stated that in order to get the process started in soliciting bids the RFP needs to written by someone with expertise in the area. He went on to say that the second thing that needs to be done is a meeting with the Health Department about the specifications to determine what conditions have to be met in order to be in compliance with health regulations. Once those two things are in place then bids can be solicited. At that point there is no problem with soliciting bids from certain contractors as long as the RFP is properly posted.
Hood suggested that an engineer should submit plans for what the contractor should be able to do. He also suggested that if Environmental Partners Group (EPG) is to be consulted, and hired, then the Board of Selectmen should be made aware of the situation.
TA Terkanian re-stated that the Board will want someone with expertise to identify specified protocol on exactly how the tank is to be repaired, so that contractors who bid know exactly what the expectations are for the project and can be held to that standard.
The Board agreed to approach EPG to produce the specified protocol for the job. The Board of Selectmen will be notified when an estimate of their cost is determined. Maher agreed to reach out to members of the water system community to identify contractors who specialize in water tank painting.
Public Outreach/Communication Points
Chair Carlson pointed out that the Wellfleet Municipal Water System (WMWS) has received negative press recently, even after the positive outcomes from the 2016 Annual Town Meeting. Miteva suggested that a press release on the new Board member and include some positive information on the WMWS.
Hood recused himself from the discussion in regards to Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS).
The Board discussed the timing of public outreach sessions, whether education should take place before or after the July decision on the viability of the test well at OCHS Wellfleet.
Chair Carlson called for surveying public opinion on the water system. Nass pointed out that it would be important to educate the public before administering a survey because there is a great deal of misinformation circulating. She also re-stated the need for starting with focus groups prior to doing a survey.
TA Terkanian asked where the LCP fits into to the discussion. Miteva noted that the water system was not part of the most recent LCP survey.
Nass reminded the Board that the Fire Department advocates for expanding the network of fire hydrants in town. She pointed out that expanding the system to provide better fire protection coverage is a good selling point.
The Board agreed that focus group sessions could begin by emphasizing fire protection the impact of the Herring River Project on the WMWS and private wells. September and October were identified as possible months when public information sessions could take place. It was suggested that the Wellfleet Forum may be a venue for such sessions. Curt Felix offered the Board a speaker spot on July 14th for the Wellfleet Forum.
State Property Designations and BWC Connection Fee Policy
Spencer presented a compilation of data collected from all towns on the Cape. This data included connection fees and water usage rates. It was noted that several of the towns have larger customer bases than WMWS, and therefore can charge less and still be self-sustaining. The Board began to examine current rates and will use the data when work continues on a new financial model.
Master Plan Discussion
Discussion on further expansion is being pre-empted by the proposed Briar Lane Phase. Chair Carlson suggested that the Board summarize the work that has been done so far. The Cape Cod Commission was mentioned as a resource.
BWC Member Recruitment
The Board welcomes Curt Felix as its newest member.
Minutes
Nass moved to approve the 5/3/16 BWC minutes as amended; Gadwa seconded; the motion passed 4-0.
Correspondence
Topics of Future Concern
- System Vulnerability, cyber and physical
- Impact of the Mayo Creek Restoration Project
- Software Updates
Agenda: June 7, 2016
- 2015 Consumer Confidence Report Draft vote
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall Conference Room, 2nd floor.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Public Records Materials of 5/17/16
- Operator’s Report & photos dated 5-17-16
- Manager’s Report dated 5-17-16
- Press Release dated 5-18-16
- Connection Fee Comparison Chart