BWC Minutes
Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
October 4, 2016, 6:00 PM
Commissioners Present: Chair Justina Carlson, Curt Felix, Neil Gadwa, James Hood, Catharie Nass
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present: Gail Ferguson, Michele Insley, President of SPAT, Roy Maher, WhiteWater, Inc., System Manager Michaela Miteva
Chair Carlson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Shellfish Promotion and Tasting, Inc. (SPAT) Water Bottle Filling Station Proposal
Michele Insley presented SPAT’s proposal for two water bottle filling stations to be set up for OysterFest in the Town Hall parking lot. SPAT is requesting the use of Town water for filling the stations. Discussion centered on the promotion of the Wellfleet Municipal Water and the future sponsorship by the BWC.
Felix made the motion to approve the proposal with the conditions as presented by SPAT; Hood seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
2008/2016 Local Comprehensive Plan Goal Review
Discussion was tabled until ATA Carlson is available to attend.
Operator’s Report
Maher announced that the contractors had completed the water storage tank paint repairs this afternoon.
After discussing the pumping report, the Board discussed the use of electricity for water pumping. Perhaps the water pumps are not as efficient as they could be or other sources of power, like photovoltaic, are available. There may be grant opportunities for a solar installation. The Board would like to explore options for lowering electricity bills in the future.
Maher reported that a rubber gasket that was loose was repaired but appears to be deteriorating. He will consult with the tank inspector, Haley & Ward, to determine a course of action.
Maher has been in discussion with the DPW about the removal of a defunct vault that was in place for a now obsolete system of tanks and pumps in the Whitetail Lane neighborhood. The DPW will cut electrical service to the vault, remove of fill the underground tanks and remove the vault.
Manager’s Report
Miteva presented her report for the month. She highlighted the water storage tank repairs. The Board agreed to draft a letter of recommendation for Limerick Steeplejacks and to update the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on the status of the project.
WMWS Status Report
Secretary Spencer presented a binder of collected articles on Water Sector security and agreed to research the issue further.
FY18 Budget
Hood and Spencer will work on a draft of the FY18 Water Enterprise Fund budget to present to the Board for the next meeting. Miteva provided the Board the necessary paperwork to proceed.
Master Plan
Miteva provided a list of the BOS goals for 2016-2017 which includes having the Board of Water Commissioners continue working on the update of the Master Plan.
Public Outreach
The Board noted that although the meeting on 9-20-16 was not well attended, interesting questions arose and headway was made in starting a conversation with the public promoting the Wellfleet Water System. Fire Chief Pauley had a great presentation, and the thought was that perhaps it could be recorded and broadcast to a larger audience.
Water System Security
The Board discussed possible vulnerabilities, both physical and cyber, to the water system. Vulnerability Assessments are available and may be the next logical step to determine system needs.
STM 11-15-16, move or cancel BWC meeting
The Board will defer until November 1 to make a decision about cancelling the meeting on November 15.
Minutes
Hood moved to approve the 9/6/16 BWC minutes; Nass seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
Hood moved to approve the 9/20/16 BWC minutes; Nass seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
Correspondence
Letter from residents of Chequessett Neck Rd requesting water service.The Board requested more information on the impact of the Herring River Restoration (HRR) Project on the water quality of private wells, preferably from an unbiased source.Nass agreed to attend the BOS meeting on 10-25-16 at which the HRR Project will be discussed.
Email from R. O’Connell regarding having the Conservation Trust work with the BWC to ensure sufficient wellhead protection areas.
Topics of Future Concern
- Impact of the Mayo Creek Restoration Project
- Software Updates
Agenda: October 18, 2016
- Water System Use of Electricity
- FY18 Budget
- Water System Security
- Water Fountains at Town Hall
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 6:00 PM in the Wellfleet Town Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM.
Public Records Materials of 10/4/16
- Proposal from SPAT dated 9-28-16
- Operator’s Report dated 10-4-16 and Pumping
- Manager’s Report dated 10-4-16
- FY18 Budget worksheets
- BOS Goals 2016-2017
- Letter to BWC dated 10-02-16
- Email to BWC dated 9-28-16