UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 18, 2016
Mayor Cerino called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Council members Liz Gross, Linda Kuiper and Mauritz Stetson, Bob Sipes, Utilities Director, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk, and guests.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Utilities Commission meeting minutes of March 21, 2016. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that operating funds on hand is $788,251.37 and an additional $496,200.00 was set aside in capital funds for a total of $1,284,451.37.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ms. Gross moved to pay the bills as submitted, was seconded by Ms. Kuiper and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that he was waiting on the arrival of parts for work at the Radcliffe Pump Station. He said that there would be an assistance of a contractor but it looked as though the costs may be down to approximately $45,000.00. The set-up of the bypass pumps and the cleaning out of the wet well pricing were coming in anywhere between $7,000.00 to $8,000.00 each but were prices that could not be controlled as he did not have that equipment.
Mr. Sipes stated that MDE was requiring a site assessment at the Hospital and additional monitoring wells to be drilled in specified locations. Mr. Sipes stated that he did not agree with the locations, but the fact that monitoring wells were being installed was positive. He said that most of the proposed monitoring wells were adjacent to existing monitoring wells instead of going to other areas on the site that have not been monitored.
Mr. Sipes stated that he attempted to fix the valve at Spring Avenue and High Street and he could not get the water shut-off in order to cut the valve. He said that there was now a valve leaking on Spring Street by Calvert Street that was frozen in place and would be repaired on Tuesday.
Mr. Sipes stated that a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) went bad on a main pump but he was able to get a replacement the same day at Hill’s Electric. He said that there was a drop in water pressure for a short period of time while the pump was down. He said that this VFD was 150-horsepower and that VFDs usually last approximately 7 to 8 years. Mr. Sipes stated that he also installed an extra cooling fan hoping to help with over-heating.
Mr. Sipes stated that he would turn the water on at the Dog Park in the morning.
There being no further business, Ms. Gross moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor