WMAC Meeting Minutes, February 22, 2011

 

Attendees:  David Crosby – Chair, Anne Carney, Paul Lauenstein, Rory McGregor – Secretary

 

Guests: Eric Hooper – Superintendent, DPW

 

1.  The minutes from the January 20 WMAC meeting were approved as amended. 

 

2.  The following residential water rates are recommended to the selectmen for implementation effective April 1st.   Amounts shown are in $.  Billing is done on a quarterly basis.

 

Fall/Winter Months       Present             Proposed

Consumption                Rate                 Rate

 

Base Rate                     15.00               30.00

0-7500 gal                   3.00                 4.50     per 1000 gal

7500-15000                 4.00                 6.50     per 1000 gal

15000-22500               6.00                 7.50     per 1000 gal

>22500                        10.00               12.50   per 1000 gal

 

Spring/Summer

 

Base Rate                     15.00               30.00

0-7500                         3.00                 4.50     per 1000 gal

7500-15000                 4.50                 7.50     per 1000 gal

15000-25000               6.50                 9.00     per 1000 gal

>22500                        12.00               15.00   per 1000 gal    

 

Every residential consumer pays the base rate plus a fee for consumption based on the above tables.

 

3.  The infrastructure for the town water system needs repair and improvements per the new 20-year Water Master Plan.  This necessitates a higher water rate to finance the proposed projects which will bring the system back up to recommended standards, ensuring a reliable supply of high quality water.

 

4.  The commercial water rates constitute 5% of the revenue to the Water Department.  Proposed increases will be discussed at the next WMAC meeting, along with irrigation and multi-family rates.

 

5.  Eric Hooper will calculate the average dollar increase per year for a consumer household in each of the above groups.

 

6.  Paul Lauenstein will investigate water rates in other towns and provide comparative information to the WMAC.

 

7.  Eric Hooper reports that the leak on Rose Lane off Edgehill Road could be on the order of 60000 gal/day.  It is scheduled for repair this week.

 

8.  The Water Department is preparing the Annual Statistical Report for 2010.  It will be ready for review by next WMAC meeting.

 

9.  The Massapoag Ave Water Tank (1 million gallon capacity) had a high fecal bacteria count last November which required closing the tank off from the water system.  Follow up efforts required draining the tank and disinfecting it before bringing it back on line in mid January.  The Consumer Confidence Report will have a notice of non-compliance concerning this event.

 

10.  There has been no progress in the past 2 months on the emergency water connection with the Town of Stoughton.  The potential for connecting to Norwood remains as the backup plan.

 

11.  Work on evaluation of the N-star site as a potential well site continues.

 

12.  There is a new design for the water bill inserts.  This will go out starting with the water bills issues in the 2nd quarter.

 

13.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 17th, at 7:30pm at the Community Center.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Rory McGregor