Draft: WMAC Meeting Minutes, November 19, 2010
Attendees: David Crosby – Chair, Ann Carney, David Hearne, Paul Lauenstein, Rory McGregor – Secretary, Bob Weeks
Guest: Eric Hooper – Superintendent, DPW; Nancy Fyler – Water Conservation Coordinator
1. The minutes from the October 21st WMAC meeting were approved with amendments as proposed.
2. The WMAC will meet with the Selectmen on Tuesday, Dec 14th, and review the new Water Master Plan. Weston & Sampson will present the report and make recommendations for capital expenditures. We will prepare for this meeting in our next meeting and schedule W&S to join us if possible.
3. Well pump test at the Canton Street site in September caused drop in groundwater in the vicinity of the well which has not yet abated as of this meeting. The pump test was conducted at 20 foot depth. Weston & Sampson recommends that we pursue reclamation of Well #6 over the new well site at Canton Street. We should still pursue the permitting process for the new well, which means starting the Environmental Impact Report. ESS, our consultant on the pump test, will have a final report by early December.
4. Unaccounted for water is still comprising 10% to 15% of water pumped on a monthly basis. Water pumped for the most recent month, October, is 1.3 MGD (million gallons per day) compared to 1.2 MGD a year ago. Nitrates have leveled off at Well # 3 and #4. Variations in the water level in the Moose Hill Tank suggest that the leak could be in this vicinity. (Dave Hearne suggested that we pool resources with other towns to purchase the expensive leak detection system so that we can better investigate situations like the one we are currently trying to solve.)
The State has inquired whether surface water is being pulled in at Well #7. The Water Dept will need to sample the well water to find out. If this is happening, treatment may be required and could cost up to $10 million according to Eric Hooper. An alternative would be to remove the dam and turn the lay of the land back into a stream.
5. A new concept for billing was discussed which would eventually establish a base rate. Additional revenue will be needed to maintain and update the infrastructure for the Rehab and Growth Enhancement Projects contained in the new Water Master Plan. The base rate would be a component in addition to the tiered consumption rates.
6. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 2nd, at 7:30pm at the Community Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Rory McGregor