Minutes
Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Tuesday November 6, 2018, 6:00 PM
Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room
300 Main St, Wellfleet MA
Members Present: Jim Hood, Chair; Curt Felix, Neil Gadwa, Catharie Nass
Members Absent: Thomas Flynn
Also Present: Rebekah Eldridge, Committee Secretary/Water Clerk; Gail Ferguson member of the community; Fire Chief Richard Pauley Jr.
Chair Hood called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM
Water Department Secretary/Clerk:
Rebekah was introduced to the group and welcomed
Cumberland Farms – Permit for installation of water main.
Chair Hood called this matter first as the fire chief was at the meeting to talk on this matter. Fire chief Pauley stated he was fine with the project but was concerned as to where the fire hydrant (259 + 20) would be placed for access to it in case of an emergency. Chief Pauley suggested that the final decision for the placement of the fire hydrant be approved by the board of water commissioners, the fire chief and Roy from White water. It need to be on the right side of the road, so the road isn’t shut down in the middle of July. Chief Pauley would like to see a plan; he has not seen a plan yet.
Nass motioned to write a letter to current Cumberland Farms Wellfleet 2586 Renovation Project Manager to request Fire Chief Pauley, Board of Water Commissioners advise/consent of the placement of the fire hydrant for 259 + 20.
Chair Hood seconded the motion. 4- 0; motion carried.
Recap of BWC meeting concerning water service on Briar Lane
Discussion of 5 to 6 property owners that expressed interest in water service from the last meeting held at the Flying Fish café. Chair Hood suggested that a survey be sent out to all the property owners on Briar lane, getting information on how many owners would be interested and if not why? Immediate interest or long-range interest.
Moby Dicks expressed interest, but it would depend on the rate structure. To be followed up at the next meeting.
Emergency preparedness recommendations from Eversouce
Eversource responded to an email from chair Hood. Chair Hood stated that Eversource wasn’t helpful with his inquiry’s other than the normal responses with who to call, they responded that the town may need to invest in generators in the event of an emergency if the boy scout camp not be able to handle the emergency, but at this time didn’t see the need. What is the capacity of the generator needed? Roy will be contacted by chair Hood to see what size generator needed. Portable? Should an outside company be contacted to have a portable generator be available to the town in the event of an emergency. Felix asked chief Pauley if the town had generators. Chief Pauley stated that the fire department has two small ones that they lend out, but they aren’t the size the board Is looking for and he wasn’t sure if the DPW had generators.
Outsourcing Water System Management and billing – Status of discussions with Pennichuck Corporation
Chair Hood stated he had no new information on Pennichuck and wasn’t sure there was any more interest in pursuing this matter. Chair Hood stated he would be talking with Dan Hoort (Town Administrator), Joe Powers (Assistant Town Administrator) about the responsibility this board plays in the decision-making process. Hood stated that Dan told him that the board should be involved reviewing Pennichuck’s proposal. Felix stated concerns about tax bills, he stated the treasurer had concerns about signing off on a lean and the quality of the water commissions financials and data. Would like to discuss further with both the Town Administrator and Assistant Town Administrator.
Request for water service and Masonic Lane
Chair Hood, stated he received and email from Dan Hoort regarding Masonic Lane and will send it out to the board members because it was such a long email. Nothing more directly has been heard from the owner Richard Wilson regarding him pursuing water service. The request that was received a year or so ago was discussed and the board thought it had been resolved. Board not sure why this was brought up again. It was discussed that the lawyers that Wilson has acquired will have to move forward with this. Chair will talk with Dan and as of now this will be left alone until further information from Dan is given.
Connection fees and rate structure – New strategies
Felix talked about rate structure. He has been in contact with Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Paul Osbourne who is the Assistant Director of Rates and Revenue. Felix wanted to find out what if any legal restrictions the board had relative to rate structure. The DPU regulates private water utilities but has no jurisdiction over municipal water operators. Osbourne offered to help the board with restructuring the rates. Discussion ensued with how to lower the rates and entice more residents to connect to town water. Osbourne told Felix about the M1 Manual which is known as “the bible of rates”. The board should see if we have it and if not investigate getting one. Talk about changing the connection fees down to $2,000.00 instead of $7,000.00. Spreading capital contribution over a longer period. A spreadsheet to be made up and then reviewed by counsel. The rates for water could be made into a flat structure.
New Business
No Correspondence
Chair Hood to talk with Rebekah about upcoming agenda
- Briar Lane Survey
- Portable generator update
- Masonic Lane update
- Conversation with Joe Powers about Pennichuck