WMAC Meeting Minutes 

December 20, 2012

Attendees:  David Crosby – Chair, David Hearne, Paul Lauenstein, Rory McGregor – Secretary, Chris Pimental, Len Sekuler, Sarah Windman

Guests: Eric Hooper – Superintendent, DPW; Jeremiah Dickinson – Sharon resident

1.  Minutes of the November 15 meeting were approved as amended.

2.  Election of officers is deferred until the next meeting.  Current officers have all expressed an interest in continuing in their current positions.

3.  Eric has not submitted his proposal for the rate increase to the selectmen.  He plans to present both his original proposal (see November 2012 meeting minutes) with some modification as well as the proposal passed by the WMAC (see November 2012 meeting minutes).  He will recommend that the rate increase start on April 1^st 2013.

4.  David Crosby submitted 3 rate structure proposals for consideration by WMAC that could be used as the long term approach on consumer water bills:  rates based on household size, one uniform rate, ascending block rate based on gallons consumption per day with only 3 blocks, two of which are the lowest 10% of consumers and the highest 10% of consumers.  All rates assumed the following conditions: separate meter for irrigation, base fee of $15/quarter, 5 year ramp up period to full implementation of each proposal.  See attached document.

5.  There was a brief discussion on the potential use of irrigation water meters in those households with lawn sprinkler systems.  Eric explained the challenge of getting the meters installed; one approach could be to require that backflow prevention devices be installed for overall water system safety.  We agreed that there is a good business argument for pursuing this approach and that further debate is needed so that a motion for action can result if warranted.  We need to determine how many households have irrigation systems.

6.  Len Sekuler proposed a pricing structure which charges a 40% premium for summer rate over winter rate.  The water system pumps 40% more water in the summertime which is the basis for his rationale of the pricing differential.  Both Len Sekuler and Paul Lauenstein expressed concerns with a pricing structure based on household size.

7.  Eric Hooper advised that some communities in California have shifted toward use of census data to determine household size and in turn to base water rates on this information.

8.  Paul Lauenstein cautions against setting water rates assuming that irrigation water meters will come into play until the water meters become a reality.

9.  Eric Hooper projected that revenue for the fiscal year will be $2.7 million, which is at least $300K above his budgetary estimate.  He said that he would be able to provide a more accurate projection following the January billing cycle.  

10.  Unaccounted for water is down to around 5%, which is where we would like it to be.  The mag flow meter at Well #5 was reading high which could be part of the reason that the unaccounted for water amount has been running well above 10%.

11.  Engineering work for the emergency water connection to Norwood is moving forward.

12.  Nancy Fyler, Water Conservation Coordinator for Sharon, designed and published a new quarterly newsletter that is being enclosed with water bills.  Initial feedback from customers is favorable.  Members of WMAC are encouraged to submit ideas and article abstracts to Eric Hooper or David Crosby for consideration before writing the article.  Articles will be reviewed by Eric before being published.

13.  At the next WMAC meeting:

a) Paul Lauenstein will address the issues of conservation and why we need to address the concept of marginal water rates.

b) We will discuss ideas for rebates (toilets, wash machines, etc.), special customer assistance with service line leak repairs, and other conservation incentives.

14.  Next meeting is Thursday January 17 at the Community Center at 7:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Rory McGregor