HomeMy Public PortalAboutWater Commissioners -- 2020-02-07 Minutes Ir 41 11
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Meeting was called to order at 9 : 03 AM by Cynthia Baran , member. Those present were : Sue
Brown , Doug Wilcock , Mary Chaffee , the Brewster Charter Committee , Sherry Theuret ,
Administrative Supervisor and Paul Anderson , Superintendent .
Charter Committee :
• Meet with Water Commission and Water Superintendent to Discuss Current
Roles and Responsibilities and Discuss any Suggested Recommendations
and /or Changes for the Charter
o Minutes provided by Robin Young , Administrative Assistant
o Cynthia Baran and Paul Anderson represented the Water Superintendent and
Water Commission for a discussion of the changes to the operation to be
memorialized with the Charter . Mr . Anderson called to order a meeting of the Water
Commission at 9 : 03am as there was a quorum of the members . The conversation
of having a separate enterprise fund for the Water department will result in more
authority for the water commission . There has been research performed and the
authority of the commission was more than previously realized . The Charter would
be able to memorialize and clarify those roles and responsibilities . Ms . Baran
requested the Charter committee consider what information they would like from
the Water Commission that would add value to the discussion . Advisory versus
Authority roles of the commission was discussed , as well as the need for
clarification on the funding . Under special legislation the water commission ' s
authority supersedes state law . In the current draft form , Personnel/Staff would
report to the Town Administrator under the Charter and not to the Commission .
There are some areas that are clear on the commission ' s role of day to day
operations . Setting budgets is a grey area . Mr . Anderson presents the budget to
the commission and they have historically only reviewed it . Bonding of projects has
been as an advisory role to Town Hall staff. The creation of an enterprise fund has
been a long time discussion . The difference of having a special revenue fund or
an enterprise fund needs to be had for clarity of the two . There are different types
of ways towns operate . There is no water district that would completely separate
the water from the town . Paul Anderson would like to see that water superintendent
report directly to the Town Administrator, Rate studies are performed and
presented to the public . If the water commission are responsible for setting rates
they should be responsible for approving the budget as well . In the past the last
rate change was implemented after an independent study was performed and by
recommendation of the water commission . In Orleans there is a 5 % cap on rate
increase before it has to be approved at town meeting . The water commissioners
are appointed by their Select Board in Orleans , not elected . The commission does
not favor either the special revenue account or enterprise fund , both are self-
sufficient and retain funds for future capital needs . As a formal statute needs to be
adopted , and it was recommended by the MA DOR and MA DEP to become an
enterprise fund . Mr . Meehan said process of setting new rates does not need to
be included in the charter , as it is more a matter of policy . Land acquisition , who
controls open space and should water department funds would be used for
purchases should be clarified . Ms . Baran would like the opinion on all of the matters
reviewed by town counsel . Water commissioners would like it written that they
have authority to set rules and policies for the water department . The water
commissioners continued their meeting to room b at 9 : 41 am . F
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• Evaluate reusable water bottles under consideration by Recycling
Commission .
o Mary Chaffee is unable to attend Friday , February 28th Meeting but , would
like to present the final five reusable water bottles , Please see attached
sheet for bottle information .
■ Motion by Commissioner Brown to approve bottle "H " the
Hampton Stainless Steel Bottle in the color blue. Motion 2np1 by
Commissioner Wilcock. 3-0-0
• Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate .
o Commissioner Brown suggested seeking alternates to the water
commissioner board .
■ Due to the size of the board it may be beneficial to have alternates
to fill in in case of absence of a water commissioner .
■ Mary Chaffee suggested having a liaison from another department
in town to fill in when needed .
• Date of Next Meeting Friday , February 28th @ 8 : 30 AM
Commissioner Baran moved to adjourn the meeting at 10 : 25 AM . 2nd by Commissioner Brown .
Respectfully submitted , Sherry Theuret , Administrative Supervisor .
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