UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 21, 2014
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Council members Liz Gross, Linda Kuiper, Samuel T. Shoge and Mauritz Stetson, Robert Sipes, Utilities Manager, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk, and guests.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Utilities Commission meeting minutes of June 16, 2014. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that cash on hand and in banks was $919,036.36.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay the bills. Mr. Stetson moved to pay the bills as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that the hospital scheduled a meeting on July 28, 2014 at 12:30 to update the Town on the plan for the Ivey-Sol injections. He said that the Council was welcome to attend.
Mr. Sipes stated that the UV system at the wastewater treatment plant was upgraded at a cost of $13,693.00, which was lower than he anticipated. Mr. Sipes stated that some of the infrastructure was upgraded at the water treatment plant with new power poles and overhead wires. The main pump at the water treatment plan was repaired and working as if it was new.
Mr. Sipes stated that he was notified by the SHA that there was a hydrant in the way of the design for the roundabout at Rt. 20 and Rt. 291 and had to be removed. Mr. Sipes stated that the removal of the hydrant did not impact coverage as there were two (2) hydrants each within 200’ of the existing hydrant.
Mr. Sipes stated that he was in receipt of a letter from Mr. Kevin Shertz regarding the allocations for the proposed microbrewery on Morgnec Road. Mr. Sipes said that the allocations were revisited after a fixture count and an explanation of the use showed that there was currently no need for a second allocation at the Morgnec Road site.
Mr. Ingersoll stated he became involved because microbreweries were not a listed in the hookup list of the Water and Sewer ordinance. The closest similar use in the list was a bar or restaurant. He passed out a suggested addition to the list in the ordinance that included microbreweries, micro wineries, or micro distilleries as a single hookup businesses as long as they used 30,000 gallons or less per quarter. Each additional 30,000 gallons of usage per quarter would add a hookup allocation . He also pointed out the final page of the documents that he had passed out that gave the Utilities Commission the authority to make determinations of this kind. Mr. Ingersoll also stated that Mr. Shertz himself acknowledged that if he used much more water than he anticipated he would agree to revisit the Town’s initial allocation determination, but at this site he would likely not go over usage.
Mr. Stetson moved to concur with the decision on the microbrewery and to include microbreweries, micro distilleries and micro wineries as a single use hookup in a subsequent ordinance change based on the Utilities Manager recommendations of fixture counts and/or usage (perhaps adopting the State Code of definitions) of not more than 30,000 gallons per quarter (allowing the Utilities Commission to revisit this or any other issue of use over 30,000 gallons per quarter and consider a second hookup), was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that he had the solar voltaic bid opening at the Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant and said that it could also be addressed in the Mayor and Council meeting following. Mayor Cerino suggested that the solar bid be part of the Town Manager’s report in the Mayor and Council meeting.
Mr. Shoge stated that there was a resident on Cannon Street having problems with flooding in her basement. Mr. Sipes stated that he was unaware of any issues on Cannon Street connected with Town water production. Mr. Shoge stated that he did not believe that the owner contacted the Town and the problem may be due to rainwater. Mr. Sipes stated that the owner could contact the Town to determine if there was a leak in her foundation or if there was a leaking water line between the main the house. Mr. Shoge stated that there was some patching of the foundation since the flood. Mr. Sipes stated that he could also run tests on the water in her basement as Town water had fluoride in it and rain water did not, noting that groundwater could fluctuate if there was an unusually heavy rain.
There being no further business, Mr. Stetson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor