DRAFT: MINUTES OF WMAC MEETING – NOV 29, 2007
Attendees: David Crosby – Chair; Paul Lauenstein; Rory
McGregor – Secretary; Len Sekuler; Jack Sulik; Bob Weeks
Others: Eric Hooper – DPW Superintendent; Ian Cooke –
Executive Director, Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA)
- The minutes of the October 18 meeting were approved with
minor corrections.
2
NepRWA is working under contract with the town of Sharon on a program
recently awarded to the town by the Massachusetts Dept of Environmental
Protection. Eric Hooper stated that the contract for $45K provides the
opportunity to “expand the scope and effectiveness of the Sharon water
conservation program”. While Sharon has already made good progress with
several conservation initiatives, this project involves NepRWA hiring a half
time person to carry the effort forward. One of the tasks is to bring
information on water conservation to the schools in town and to other public
channels. Ian Cooke asked for input on potential candidates who would be
interested in this half time position. Paul Lauenstein will serve as WMAC
liaison to this project.
3
Paul Lauenstein reviewed the water conservation plan that he had
distributed prior to the meeting. David Crosby asked WMAC to identify the top
3 priorities that will give the biggest bang for the buck. General feeling is
that the lawn irrigation systems present the single largest opportunity for
water conservation. Another opportunity is to accelerate the installation of
the new water meters throughout town; Dave Hearne is investigating how we can
make this happen. WMAC members should review the plan and provide feedback to
Paul Lauenstein. Jack Sulik emphasized the need to show payback.
- There was
discussion on whether to put high efficiency toilets into public
facilities in the town. The consensus was that this should be done
to serve as an example for residents.
- Although water use in January
through April was lower this year than last year, total water use year-to-date through October
this Fall is
slightly higher than a year ago, partly due to a very dry summer.
- The source of increasing nitrates in Well #2 could be the
septic systems on Moose Hill Parkway. The well field is characterized by
plugged up wells closest to the pump. Possible solutions are to redrill and
rotate the well field toward Well #3. The most active well in the field
is the one that is closest to Moose Hill Parkway. The field was last
redeveloped 7 years ago.
- Eric Hooper met with his counterpart from Stoughton, Larry Barrett, on Nov 27th
concerning the emergency hookup of our water system to theirs. The
discussion focused on running the “hydraulic model” to evaluate each of
the 3 potential hookup locations between the towns. Cost is estimated to
be between $10K and $20K.
- Budget preparation has started. Eric will have the
capital plan for review at the next WMAC meeting. This will go to the
Finance Committee for discussion shortly thereafter. New projects not on
the earlier plan will include pipe replacement on Brook Road ($200K), pipe
work related to the Avalon Bay housing project ($200K), and acoustic leak
detectors which could be installed at the same time as the new water
meters.
- The Riverways Water Evaluation And
Planning (WEAP) modeling project is being monitored by Bob Weeks.
Stream flow data is being collected and computer modeling is being used to
create a
Stream Flow Index Database
computer model to weigh the values of competing water uses and assist in
financial decision-making. The State wants to create a statewide
model. Sharon is one of the first towns to attempt creating a local model
using the WEAP software. This would then
expand to a regional model and ultimately to a statewide model.
- Next meeting is Jan 10th, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Rory McGregor