Draft: WMAC Meeting Minutes, January 21, 2010

Attendees:  Ann Carney, David Crosby – Chair, David Hearne,  Paul Lauenstein, Rory McGregor – Secretary, April Singleton, Bob Weeks

Guests: Eric Hooper – Superintendent, DPW; Nancy Fyler – Town Resident and Sharon Water Conservation Program Coordinator

1.  Minutes from the December 17 WMAC meeting were approved as amended.

2.  David Crosby will request that the selectmen advertise to fill the open position on the WMAC vacated by Jack Sulik.

3.  David Crosby will prepare a draft summary report on WMAC activity for inclusion in  the Town Annual Report and email to WMAC members who will be invited to comment on the draft prior to submission.

4.  Review of the new Water Master Plan was postponed until the February meeting.  Eric Hooper will provide a draft of the document prior to the meeting.

5.  Ann Carney and Dave Hearne constitute a task group researching the Enterprise business model adopted for the Water Dept.  Bill Fowler, the town Treasurer, provided copies of the Enterprise Manual (Rules/Regulations for Operation of an Enterprise Business) and Chart of Accounts (Revenue/Expense Accounting Procedures).   Changes associated with the Water Dept’s transition to an Enterprise business will probably require up to 3 years for full implementation.  This business model should provide information that will tie back to justification for the water rates set by the Water Dept.  Ann and Dave will ask Bill to show what information he has already submitted to the State on Form DOR A-2 for the Enterprise account.

6.  The Town of Norwood has agreed to Sharon’s request for an emergency water connection to their town.  Paul Millett from Environmental Partners will price out the costs associated with the connection that would allow up to 0.5 MGPD.  This is enough water for an emergency situation to replace the daily pumping currently provided by Well #4 in the winter months.  Should Well #4 become unavailable in summer, a lawn irrigation ban would probably be necessary in addition to the 0.5 MGPD from the emergency backup connection.

7.  WMAC will plan to meet on Thursday, February 18; however, because this is the school vacation week, several members are not available.  Next meeting may be delayed one week.  Topics will include distribution/review of Water Master Plan and further report of the task group on the Enterprise business.

8.  Eric Hooper reported on other topics as follows:

a)  Water pumped in CY 2009 totaled 447 million gallons, down significantly from the prior year.  Our annual permitted capacity of 650MG will probably be reduced to approximately 550MG based on the new standard of 65gal/person/day and 10% unaccounted water.  This permit will be good for 20 years and is to be reviewed every 5 years.

b)  The DPW is using low-salt sand on roads in the vicinity of Well #4 to see if this will reduce the level of sodium measured in the water coming from that well.

c)  All water meters in town will be read during the first 2 days in February (and every month thereafter) so that we can start to get an accurate picture of water consumed each month throughout the town.  Bills will be issued on a quarterly basis.  Only about a dozen meters remain to be replaced with radio meters.

9.  The WMAC decided not to recommend any change in irrigation water rates at the present time.  Only a small number of households would be affected.

The WMAC unanimously approved a motion to recommend to the selectmen that commercial water rates be adjusted as follows: 0 to 7500 gallons, $3/1000 gal remains unchanged; 7500 to 15,000 gallons, $3.50/1000 gal increase to $4/1000 gal; 15,000 to 22,500 gallons, $4.50/1000 gal increase to $6/1000 gal; and over 22,500 gallons, $5.50/1000 gal increase to $6/1000 gal.

10.  Advertising for toilet and washing machine rebates on the town website will be reviewed so that we are consistent in our message.  An invoice will be sufficient evidence for purchase of the item, as opposed to also requiring monthly credit card statement.  Future rebate compensation will take place as credit on customer’s water bill.  Applicants may take advantage of the program a second time if they move from an existing home in Sharon to another home in Sharon and upgrade the fixtures in both.  Eric Hooper will provide a summary of the rebates awarded to date.

11.  Nancy Fyler suggested that the School Administration building on School Street be considered as a possible location for the waste treatment plant in the event that the center of town becomes sewered.  The existing lot is approximately 0.89 acre.

12.  The WMAC recognized Nancy Fyler for her efforts to implement a visible and successful water conservation program in Sharon over the past year and a half.

Respectfully submitted,

Rory McGregor