SHARON WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (WMAC)
MEETING MINUTES FOR 09/11/2003
Prepared by David Mark
Present at meeting: WMAC members Bob McGregor, Jack Sulik, Roger Thibeault, Lealdon Langley, Len Sekuler, and David Mark; prospective members Mike Birschbach and Paul Lauenstein; Selectman Joe Roach; Eric Hooper (DPW Director) and Dave Masciarelli (DPW-Water Dept); Conservation Commission members Peg Arguimbau, Kathy Roth, Steve Glicken, and Greg Meister (Cons. Agent); Finance Committee members Colleen Tuck and Ira Miller; Cliff Towner (Lake Mgt. Committee), and citizens Alice Cheyer and John Prendergrast
The meeting followed the agenda as follows:
1) REVIEW OF MINUTES – The draft minutes were read aloud and approved.
ACTIONS: None
2) STATUS ON WMAC MEMBERSHIP – WMAC currently has seven official members and two openings. Roger Thibeault has officially resigned (note that since 9/11 meeting, Mr. Thibeault has withdrawn resignation) and Jennifer Bell has verbally indicated that she is resigning; if she resigns officially, there will be four openings. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) has interviewed Paul Lauenstein, Richard Mandell, and Mike Birschbach. Selectman Joe Roach stated that official appointments should be made in about three weeks .
ACTIONS: BOS will make appointments to three official WMAC openings.
3) STATUS OF METCALF & EDDY’S (M&E’s) HYDRAULIC MODEL REPORT – There has been a change of staff at M&E; Project Manager Paul Millet has left to go into business for himself. Eric Hooper will be meeting with M&E and Paul to discuss the transition to a new Project Manager. Eric gave a brief summary of the work M&E has performed for the Town. There was also a discussion of whether the next M&E Report is final and should go to the public. It was determined that the next version of the report will be a Draft Final Report and will be reviewed by DPW, WMAC, Conservation Commission and Lake Management Committee members prior to releasing it to the public.
ACTIONS: Eric Hooper will have M&E compile/incorporate booster pump evaluations into a Draft Final Hydraulic Model Report for review by DPW, WMAC, ConComm, and LMC.
4) WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES – Eric Hooper described DPW water conservation initiatives undertaken so far. DPW has offered rain barrels at a low price (50 have been distributed) and a $200 rebate for Energy Star Neptune washing machines (58 rebates have been granted). DPW also provides free water audits to homeowners and has targeted high volume water users; there has not been a large demand for the audits to date. Eric stated that the installation of radio-read meters should help in identifying high volume users for audits. An RFP is being prepared for the first group of radio-read meters that should replace meters in about 10% of the homes in Sharon; the entire project will take three to four years to complete.
There was a discussion as to whether DPW was authorized to initiate this project. Eric stated that the project had been approved at the last Town Meeting (WMAC members that were at the Town Meeting agreed).
Len Sekuler suggested educating the automatic sprinkler owners of Sharon about how to reduce their water usage without compromising their lawns. Greg Meister said the only effective way to reduce lawn watering is through restrictions or bans.
ACTIONS: None.
5) NEW WELL SITE EXPLORATION – Pumping tests have been conducted at two sites: an Old Post Road site was found to be marginally acceptable at 100,000 gallons per day; a South Walpole Street site was found to be unacceptable at <20,000 gallons per day.
There is a potential site on Maskwonicut Street near Well#4 that probably should be purchased to protect Well #4 regardless of supply potential.
It was pointed out that DEP will not increase permitted withdrawal so any new well sites are for water system-wide operating flexibility only.
DPW has been talking with Boston Edison (NStar) concerning a potential well site on NStar-owned property. The Sharon Memorial Park cemetery site has not been pursued further by DPW due to the owner’s unwillingness to sell to the Town. Joe Roach said that BOS was aware of the Boston Edison and Maskwonicut sites but unaware of the Sharon Memorial Park site. Joe stated that BOS is willing to discuss the issue with the cemetery owners if DPW feels it is worthwhile.
6) NITRATE/IRON/MANGANESE IN TOWN WATER –Wells #6 and 8 will need iron/manganese treatment if they are to be used to their full capacity. Iron/manganese can be treated cost-effectively using microfiltration.
Wells #2, 3, and 4 (near the center of town) all have nitrate problems; however, nitrate concentrations in all three wells are less than EPA Maximum Concentration Limits of 10 ppm. Currently available nitrate treatment technologies are better suited for wastewater than domestic drinking water systems. Therefore, prevention of nitrate contamination should be achieved by focusing on inadequate septic systems. As requested at the last WMAC meeting, Woodard & Curran has submitted a $25,000 proposal for additional nitrate sampling of Wells#2 and 3; The Board of Selectmen found the proposal to be unacceptable.
ACTIONS: W&C will develop a revised cost proposal and submit it to Sharon DPW.
7) CLIFF TOWNER PRESENTATION – As only one Selectman was present, this item was postponed until a future meeting.
ACTIONS: Reschedule presentation.
8) WATER SYSTEM DATABASE – Eric Hooper stated that since 1996, water system data has been kept in a usable computerized database. Prior to 1996, all data is in a paper form and not usable unless input into the computerized database. A discussion of the level of effort and cost required to accomplish this took place without any conclusions being made. It was determined that this was an issue to be dealt with at a later date.
ACTIONS: None
9) WATER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT APPROACH – Discussions revolved around the need to better integrate the work of various committees dealing with water-related issues. Suggestions included having more joint committee meetings, drawing up a management plan, developing a better hydrogeological model to understand the issues, and taking another look at conservation opportunities. Roger Thibeault emphasized the importance of understanding Sharon's hydrology and geology. Greg Meister said USGS had proposed performing a hydrogeological survey of Sharon in 1998 but were rejected by the Town. No decisions were made.
ACTIONS: None
10) WMAC STUDENT APPOINMENTS – As Richard Mandell was not present, no additional information was available.
ACTIONS: None
10a) NEW BUSINESS – The first round of Woodard & Curran’s microparticulate sampling data is in; Results for all three samples indicated there is a low risk of surface water contamination at Well#7.
ACTIONS: Determine if results are time sensitive.
10b) DELIVERABLES FOR NEXT WMAC MEETING – DPW will provide a draft capital and O&M budget for next month’s WMAC meeting.
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 9th @7:30PM
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