WMAC MEETING MINUTES -
Attendees: David Crosby - Chair; Paul Lauenstein; Rory McGregor - Secretary; Len Sekuler; Jack Sulik.
Others: Eric Hooper - Superintendent, DPW;
Bob Weeks.
1. The minutes of the July 12th
meeting were approved with minor
modifications.
2. David Crosby will submit the WMAC’s recommendation to accelerate installation of the
Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system, as well as his proposed drafts of the WMAC
Mission Statement and Water Resources Management Plan, to the Selectmen for
their review. There was no further input from WMAC members.
3. The draft water bill insert for
autumn/winter was reviewed. Paul Lauenstein
will incorporate changes and present for approval by WMAC at next meeting.
Eric Hooper proposed that the insert suggest
that residents call several local environmental non-profit organizations to
inquire whether they offer rebates for HETs. He felt
that this would lead to greater appreciation among residents for the rebates
provided by the Sharon Water Department. The committee felt this would be
inappropriate, since the non-profits do not offer rebates.
4. Paul Lauenstein
will modify the HET promotion plan and prepare a brief analysis to illustrate
how conversion of older toilets (3.5 gallons per flush) to newer, higher
efficiency toilets (1.28 gallons per flush or better) offers a significant and
cost-effective water conservation potential to our town. The
proposal will be presented for approval at the next
meeting.
5. Eric Hooper reviewed his proposed
scope of work for a new Water Master Plan for
Paul Lauenstein
requested that the cost of water conservation at various levels such as
100,000, 200,000, and 300,000 gallons per day be analyzed as an alternative “source”
for comparison with the cost of building new wells or importing water.
The demand analysis should include a time
line showing the impact of different land developments as they come on line (
The history of leak detection and repair should
be documented. Dave Masciarelli has some, if not all,
of this information. A review of paving contracts and supporting
documents for Annual Statistical Reports may also help to identify past leak
repair efforts. Paul Lauenstein commented that water
main leaks accounted for over 62 million gallons in 2006 (almost 12% of the
total of 521 million gallons pumped). Eric Hooper reaffirmed that the Water
Department intends to install an automated acoustic leak detection system in
conjunction with the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system being installed.
Include a pavement management study and the
effects on our water system.
The process of setting priorities should
take into account the consequence of failures.
Have the plan cover a 20-year time horizon:
2008 - 2028.
Include capital projects which address water
quality: removal of nitrates, iron, manganese and
disinfectant bi-products.
Plan for emergency
hookup to another town(s). This project has already been identified as
a priority, and will not be held up by preparation of the Master Plan, which
could take as long as a year to produce.
Incorporate the W.E.A.P. model currently
being developed in collaboration with the Mass Riverways
Program and
6. David Crosby has requested that the
Selectmen allow us to appoint Bob Weeks as our representative to the Riverway Program, even though he is not yet a member of the
WMAC. There was discussion about when the Selectmen will conduct
interviews for the one open position on the WMAC for which Bob is seemingly
qualified.
7. Eric Hooper has scheduled a public
presentation by the
8. The next meeting will be Thursday,
September 6th, at
Rory McGregor
Secretary, WMAC