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Home My Public Portal AboutWater Commissioners -- 2022-05-06 MinutesPursuant to Governor B'aker's March 12, 2020, Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law and his March 15 and March 23, 2020, Orders imposing strict limits on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting may be found on the Town's website at www.brewster-ma.gov, For this meeting, members of the public who wish to listen to the audio broadcast may do so via the Town of Brewster website at http://livestream.brewster- magov or on Channel 18. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means. The Town has established specific email addresses for each board and committee that will be meeting remotely so that residents can send their comments .in writing either before or during the meeting. For this meeting, please send contact 0anderson@brewster�ma,Roy. In the event we are unable to live broadcast these meetings, despite best efforts, we will post on the Town website an audio recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting at http://tv.brewster-ma.9ov. ,.1. Call to Order: 11:03 AM 2. Declaration of a Quorum Read by Commissioner Baran. Those in attendance were i Commissioner Skidmore, Liaison Mary Chaffee, Administrative Supervisor, Sherry Theuret, Superintendent Paul Anderson, Commissioner Brown joined later in meeting. 3. Meeting Participation Statement: Read by Commissioner Baran 4. Brewster Woods fee waiver request • Formal request submitted by Assistant Town Administrator Donna Kalinick in the amount of $8970.00 for fire and water tapping fees and $4344.00 for two meters. • Liaison Chaffee explained current policy by the Select Board. It was updated two years ago for the first time in 18 years. a. Guidelines have been established so; each request could be reviewed on a case- by-case bases. • Superintendent Anderson explained fees have been waived in the past along with some construction costs. a. Water main extensions to benefit the community b. It would be beneficial since it is for affordable housing • Commissioner Skidmore does have concerns waiving the fees in this situation. The policy does indicate to discourage and setting a precedent. Effecting rate payers and people who are contributing and tax money. • Commissioner Baran supports waiving the fees since it's affordable housing which is desperately needed in Brewster. • Commissioner Brown joined meeting at this time of the meeting. a. Commissioner Brown is comfortable waiving tapping fees but, not comfortable waiving meter fees. Meters must be paid for by the water department. • Motion by Commissioner Brown to waive tapping fees in the amount of $8970.00. a. Motion 2nd by Commissioner Baran b. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 ' 5. Water restriction update • Update since emergency meeting on April 22nd • Water Commissioners agreed to have watering based on house numbers. Houses with odd numbers will water on odd numbered calendar days and even house numbers will . water on even numbered calendar days. • Water restrictions shall occur from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM • DEP is continuing to review the water level with the USGS Monitoring Well. • Signs in town to be updated along with website. L-TchN ITPp 6. Superintendent's Report • Continuing flushing the system. Hoping to do the entire water main but, with the anticipation of traffic, being short staffed and meter reading to start in June, flushing will continue in the fall. • HVAC Gap Grant still being worked on a. Groundwater source system will not work at plant b. Hoping to have solar but, roof will have to be replaced. • Dog Park is complete — Opening Saturday, May 21st a. Hydration stations for people and dog are installed along with misting stations • In person meeting a. Will stay the same until later date • Public Water System Award a. BWD has been bumped off the list to win since, the water department has won three years in a row. • Town Meeting May 14th • Presentation for Brewster Pond • Red Top Road — a. Affordable Housing Project is proposed on this road. BWD to install new water main up to that point. Will be continued when prices for materials come down in price. b. Red Top Road is a special article and the funds will remain there. • Seth Ritchie is new Foreman for the distribution side. Started Monday, May 9th • Advertising for two entry level positions a. Comfortable with staff and their level of licensing b. Benefits of hiring entry level positions to save funds in the budget. • Brewster in Bloom Parade a. Used dump truck in parade and parade was spectacular 7. Office Manager's Report • Preparing for June 11t meter reading a. Working with Vadar and Beacon to help fix data export issues i. Remove emails and phone numbers as part of the export ii. Change all meters from Galaxy TR3 Meters to Orion CE Meters • Sent out 610 Reminder notices for non-payment of February 11t billing statements • Set up Eye on Water accounts for all the customers who currently have cellular meters. a. Sent out letters and pamphlets to each owner with their login and password information b. Sent out brochure explaining Eye on Water and the benefits and capabilities of having a cellular meter. 8. Approval of April 1St and April 22"d Meeting Minutes. • Motion by Commissioner Brown to approve April 1St minutes a. Motion 2"d by Commissioner Skidmore b. Roll Call Vote: • April 22"d minute amendments. a. Aquafer did improve but may not be enough for future summer months. b. Recommendation for water restrictions to begin in May, notification to the DEP and conversation with Town Administrator. c. Commissioner Skidmore to adjust Declaration of a Quorum statement. d. Motion by Commissioner Brown to approve April 22 minutes as amended. i. Motion 2nd by Commissioner Skidmore ii. Commissioner Baran abstained iii. Roll Call Vote; 2-0-01 9. One Time Reduced Rates • 34 Eaton Lane a. Extensive damage to entire unit b. Both toilets and showers needed to be replaced or repaired. c. Water usage increased mostly for the February 11 2022, billing cycle. i. Motion by water Commissioner Brown to approve the one-time reduced rate for the February 1St billing statement. Ii. Motion 2"d by Commissioner Skidmore iii. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0 10, For Your Information: 11. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair • Pond Planning Committee is doing an on-site tour on May 18th f4:00 PM or the Long Pond Parcel. 12, Next Meetings: June V at 11:00 AM 13. Adjournment: 11:44 AM • Motion by Commissioner Brown to adjourn at 11:44 AM a. Motion 2"d by Commissioner Skidmore b. Roll Call Vote: 3-0-0