WMAC MEETING MINUTES – OCTOBER 23, 2008
Attendees: David Crosby – Chair; David Hearne; Paul Lauenstein; Rory McGregor – Secretary; Len Sekuler – Vice Chair; Bob Weeks
Others: Eric Hooper – Superintendent, DPW; Blake Martin – Weston & Sampson; Barbara Cook – Weston & Sampson; Nancy Fyler – Neponset River Watershed Association; April Singleton – town resident
1. The minutes of the September 18th, 2008 meeting were approved as amended by Paul Lauenstein.
2. Eric Hooper proposed to stage the work to be performed on the Water Master Plan by Weston & Sampson. He will recommend to the selectmen that work proceed on all sections except 2.3, 2.6, 2.7 and 2.9; these sections will be started at later dates upon direction from Eric and will not impact the timely completion of the project (10 months). The WMAC voted unanimously to approve Eric’s proposal. A copy of the Water Master Plan proposal submitted by Weston & Sampson is available at the DPW.
3. Section 2.2 in the Water Master Plan focuses on water demand analysis. Eric Hooper advised that the method of reviewing population growth prescribed by the Massachusetts Water Resources Commission should be supplemented by analyzing discrete demand increases which will result from specific development projects: Avalon Bay, Sharon Commons, the Wilber School, and Brickstone.
4. Blake Martin proposed a database structure for the On-Line Library that Weston & Sampson will set up for Water Master Plan supporting information. He requested feedback before the next WMAC meeting so that we can finalize the structure at that meeting. He asked WMAC to think about how people will try to search the database and what additional information categories should be in the database. Security of information and access rights will also be discussed.
5. Eric Hooper advised that Water Department revenue for FY’08 (ended June 30, 2008) came out $400K above original projections, due primarily to the increase in water rates that was implemented in May 2007. This additional revenue will help to finance some of the projects in the capital improvement plan.
6. Water pumping to date for 2008 is at the lowest volume since 1995. Favorable weather conditions and minimal impact from water line breaks have contributed to this. Nitrate levels at Wells 2, 3, and 4 show no significant deviation from recent trends. Ground water data at the monitoring wells throughout Sharon show that ground water levels are rebounding from the dry conditions in early summer and are within normal expected ranges.
7. Eric Hooper reviewed a document showing water discharge from Lake Massapoag (recorded at 15 minute intervals) superimposed with rainfall events and temperature of outflow waters. Missing was the lake water level information data. One objective is to decide if the daily average values for this type information is similar to the shorter 15 minute interval data.
8. Nancy Fyler reviewed progress on education initiatives related to water conservation. Attendees at the Energy/Water Conservation Fair in September will receive a follow up mailing. The High School Landscape Club will participate in a xeriscape project. She has submitted an article to the Sharon Advocate on the need for water conservation. She is setting up a Water Education Area at the Cottage Street School and will use the DPW cut away water hydrant as part of the exhibition. There will be a town wide mailing on water conservation practices. She is submitting a proposal to Eric Hooper for the upgrade of 8 public toilets in the town to high efficiency models. She has proposed setting up a meeting for landscaping firms working in Sharon with the Smart Watering Company; this will be part of a broader effort to come up with a water irrigation policy. She is meeting with the Water Conservation Coordinator for Concord MA. Nancy Fyler, Len Sekuler and Paul Lauenstein plan to meet to discuss lawn irrigation policy prior to the next WMAC meeting.
9. Nancy Hammett was unable to attend tonight’s WMAC meeting. Her family is relocating out of state. She will complete the work on the Water Conservation Plan by January 2009 which is the timeframe for her move.
10. The proposed emergency water connection with Stoughton cannot go forward at this time for political reasons. Eric Hooper advises that the town will continue to pursue the option to connect with Norwood.
11. Eric Hooper reports that 2600 radio relay water meters have been installed in Sharon residences to date. 4000 will be installed by January 2009 and the project should be completely finished by next summer. Billing will then take place on a quarterly basis or perhaps maybe a monthly basis. Already the ability to detect leaks in a residence is proving to be a significant benefit of this new metering system.
12. Installation of groundwater monitoring stations in the vicinity of the Farnham Road Pit to investigate the source of nitrates at Wellfield #2 is receiving serious consideration. Installation would take place in the January 2009 time frame.
13. Next meeting is Thursday, November 13th, at 7:30pm at the Community Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Rory McGregor