WMAC Meeting Minutes                                                               September 24, 2009

Members in Attendance: David Crosby – Chair, Dave Hearne, Paul Lauenstein, April Singleton, Bob Weeks

Guests: Sharon DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper, Sharon Water Conservation Coordinator Nancy Fyler, Weston & Sampson consultants Barbara Cooke and Blake Martin

1.  The minutes of the August 20 meeting were approved as amended.

2.  Barbara Cooke and Blake Martin of Weston & Sampson provided a progress report on Sharon’s Water Master Plan Update. They commented on the need to renovate the wells and synchronize the hydraulic model with the GIS map of Sharon’s water main system. They will meet with Eric Hooper and Dave Masciarelli to prioritize replacement of aging water mains, coordinating these projects with road repairs to minimize cost. The Master Plan will include two approaches to predicting demand for water: 1) using official state demand forecast methodology, and 2) using demand projections developed by Nancy Hammett in the Sharon Water Conservation Plan. The WMAC voted unanimously to recommend that the Selectmen authorize Weston & Sampson to complete all sections of the Master Plan Update, including an analysis of water supply requirements for the proposed Sharon Commons mall and Brickstone’s Sharon Hills development. Weston & Sampson estimated that the Master Plan Update would be complete by the end of January.

3.  David Crosby expressed concern over Sharon’s steep decline in water usage as it relates to Water Department revenues. He pointed out that if the last four months of 2009 are the same as 2008, Sharon will end up using 437 million gallons for the year, approximately 60 million gallons less than last year. With all the needed infrastructure improvements, water rates must be set high enough to provide budgeted revenues despite reduced water usage. Eric Hooper reported that recent revenue figures have not yet reflected reduced water usage, possibly due to the lag in cash flow that results from only reading the meters twice a year.

4.  Eric Hooper reported that the Selectmen are reluctant to move forward on a new well at Canton Street because of the cost. The Environmental Impact Report alone would cost in the vicinity of $700,000.  Subsequent to performing a formal pump test at the site, it could take as much as five years to complete all the required paperwork before a new well could be up and running.

5.  Wright-Pierce has completed its wastewater report for the center of town. They listed the site adjacent to Temple Israel off Pond Street as a possibility for a wastewater treatment facility, but did not recommend that the wastewater treatment facility at the High School be used to accommodate wastewater from the center of town. David Hearne asked whose budget covers the cost of operating the High School facility. Eric Hooper explained that the School Department pays the cost. He said maintenance takes about two hours per day. One problem is that the waste stream from the High School contains a much higher percentage of liquid waste than a residential facility, so the waste stream must be “bio-seeded” with grain to offset high ammonia. Furthermore, the High School’s waste stream is much more intermittent than that of a residential facility. When school is out in summer, wastewater from the restroom facilities at Memorial Park Beach goes to the High School wastewater treatment plant. State-mandated design requirements are geared to accommodate residential developments, and are not necessarily ideal for schools.

6.  Eric Hooper reported that state-mandated chemical feed system improvements are being implemented at the wells. This new rules resulted from an accident in the town of Spencer, where injuries resulted from too much potassium hydroxide being added to the water. In addition, Variable Frequency Drives are being added to some of the electric motors that power the town well pumps. This will result in a significant reduction in the cost of electricity for pumping the wells.

7. The question of commercial water rate increases was discussed. Currently, the first three block rates are identical for residential and commercial use. However, the highest block rate is $10 for residential users and only $5.50 for commercial use. A new rate of $7.00 per thousand gallons for the top commercial block was proposed. Eric Hooper said he would investigate the impact this might have on major commercial customers.

8. Eric Hooper reported that about 90% of the radio meters have been installed. The remaining 10% will be more challenging because some of these homeowners are not cooperating with the Water Department. The idea of a surcharge for homeowners who do not allow the Water Department to replace their meters was discussed.

9. Paul Lauenstein requested that the Water Department provide the WMAC with monthly revenue figures to monitor the effects of reduced water usage as well as increased water rates. He also requested monthly figures on rebates, since less money was budgeted this year for rebates than was needed last year.

10.  The next WMAC meeting will be on Thursday evening, October 22, at 7:30 pm. at the Community Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Lauenstein