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SHARON WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (WMAC)
MEETING MINUTES FOR 2/27/03
Prepared by David Mark
Present at meeting: Bob McGregor, David Mark, Jen Bell, Eric Hooper (DPW Director), and guests Len Sekuler, Paul Lauenstein, Cliff Towner, John Pendergrast, and Greg Meister
The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the four proposed Town Warrant Articles that are related to water management and to develop WMAC recommendations on each of the articles. The following process was allowed for each warrant article: WMAC Chairperson Bob McGregor read each warrant article; DPW Director Eric Hooper presented his view: WMAC members and guests discussed the issue; and the three WMAC members present voted on each issue.
WARRANT ARTICLE #1: Special Water Rate Reduction and Rebate – This proposed warrant article calls for each ratepayer in town to receive an approximate $350 rebate based on a Water Fund Surplus of $2,156,454 in Fiscal Year 2002, based on one interpretation of MGL Chapter 41, Section 69B. Eric Hooper stated that Town Counsel and an attorney on the Finance Committee do not agree with this interpretation of the law. Eric also stated that in any event, if the warrant article were to be passed, each rate payer would get a rate reduction rather than a rebate. This would lead to some ratepayers getting no bill in Fiscal Year 2004. WMAC decided to make a decision based on sound planning and leave the legal issues to the lawyers. WMAC reviewed DPW’s proposed 2004 budget which
consisted of $1.2 million in operating and maintenance costs and $1.6 million in capital improvements. Eric projects that water revenues from ratepayers in 2004 will be $1.9 million leading to spending down the reserve fund by $0.9 million. The proposed 2004 capital improvements include main replacements, future water source exploration, and radio reading meter installation. Although some of the proposed improvements could be deferred, and the radio read meters are not an absolute necessity, WMAC felt that all of the proposed projects were sound investments for the Town of Sharon. WMAC further felt that due to town growth and the need for additional system-wide improvements, particularly regarding additional supply, that it would be imprudent to support the proposed warrant. WMAC voted 3-0 NOT to support Warrant Article #1.
WARRANT ARTICLE #2: Emergency Water Connection at Cobbs Corner – This warrant article calls for the Town of Sharon to appropriate approximately $600,000 to install an emergency water connection to the Town of Stoughton in case of catastrophic failure or contamination of one or more of the town's wells. The warrant points out that three of the town wells are located near the railroad tracks, and they are vulnerable to contamination as a result of a derailment. Mr. Hooper stated that emergency connections and plans already exist with our neighboring towns' water supplies; these plans would be followed in case a severe disruption. Eric also pointed out that the location
specified in the proposed warrant is not the location that MWRA would allow us to use; they would want us to place the connection at Bay Road and Chemung Street. Eric stated that the connection proposed in the Warrant would not provide a long term solution to the need for emergency water supplies. During WMAC discussions, it was noted that the real issue here is the need for redundancy in the water supply. WMAC and DPW have been systematically evaluating this for a long time, culminating in the proposal for Well#8 at the Islamic Center. Other alternatives evaluated included MWRA, Bluestone Desalination plant, and other town well sites. WMAC felt that the proposed warrant was too specific, and needed further evaluation. WMAC also felt that the proposed warrant article action would not significantly improve the town’s situation if an emergency arose. WMAC feels that DPW needs to continue looking for suitable in-town well sites and
evaluating MWRA and Bluestone. WMAC voted 3-0 NOT to support Warrant Article #2.
WARRANT ARTICLE #3: Independent Audit of Water Department – The third warrant article calls for an independent audit of the accounts of the Town water works from 1998 through the present to settle any questions about the surplus water revenues. Mr. Hooper recommended endorsement of this article, saying there was nothing to hide and an audit would reassure the townspeople that no funds had been misappropriated. He emphasized that a simple financial audit would be redundant with past audits. To have true value to the town, the audit should include an analysis of specific contracts for programs and services, classification of their costs and the management process driving them. WMAC
voted 3-0 to support Warrant Article #3.
WARRANT ARTICLE #4: Reduction to two hours weekly for outside watering – The final warrant article proposes to amend the Town By-Laws to limit outdoor watering, except by hand-held hose, to two one-hour periods every week. (The current restriction is two hours twice a week. It is imposed by the Selectmen with input from the WMAC.) This article was submitted by the Lake Management Committee, saying that approval of this by-law is essential for the protection of our aging drinking water wells, and our resource and recharge areas, wetlands, lakes, ponds, and streams. Eric Hooper suggested that the proposed warrant article would not result in a significant decrease in water
usage over the current four hour weekly limit; he suggested that since there was no clear basis for the two hour limit, we should consider an outright ban on outdoor watering. WMAC had differences on this proposed warrant article. Although the entire WMAC supports conservation, some felt that this article might be too stringent and not provide enough water for homeowners to protect their property. One WMAC member felt that we need to reduce water consumption and that in times of drought, green lawns should not be a high priority. WMAC voted 2-1 NOT to support Warrant Article #4.
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 27@7:30PM
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