UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 18, 2015
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, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk, and guests.
Mayor Cerino asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Utilities Commission meeting minutes of April 20, 2015. Mr. Stetson moved to approve the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Gross and carried unanimously.
Mayor Cerino stated that cash on hand and in banks was $859,551.13 and there was $239,400.00 set aside in capital funds.
Mayor Cerino asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ms. Gross moved to pay the bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Stetson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that the emergency generators and transfer switches were installed at the lagoon and he was trying to coordinate with Baldwin Electric to schedule removing the old and having Delmarva make the connection. He said that a temporary emergency generator would run while the connection was being made.
Mr. Sipes stated that two (2) of the newest operators in the Utilities Department were going to attend Washington College for the Water and Wastewater Operators Short Course. He said it was excellent training and lasted a week.
Mr. Sipes that there have been three (3) leak repairs performed on High Street within the last few days. He said that the repairs have to be packed down before they were permanently blacktopped.
Mr. Sipes stated that primary electric at the lagoon was being buried by Delmarva Power and said that the section from the meter to the lagoon was the Town’s responsibility. That portion of the work would cost the Town $15,000.00. The poles would be left in place and some platforms would be added for osprey nests. Delmarva also had a pole for a nest.
Mr. Sipes stated that the Town sent a letter to the Maryland Department of the Environment requesting a joint meeting, asking MDE to address the need for a site characterization plan and several other issues that were not addressed by MDE in a response letter to Chester River Hospital. He said that Ivey-Sol© was being picked up in lab tests when the surface tension test indicated it was gone. He said that the impact, although it did not appear to be significant at this time, could be a much larger risk if Ivey-Sol© was used for a longer time period. He said that site clean-up had to be addressed in its entirety.
Mr. Sipes stated that a letter was received from the Attorney General at MDE and for the first time in twenty-five (25) years was looking at fining the Town for violations at the wastewater treatment plant, including one (1) for suspended solids and one (1) fecal coliform. He said that he was requesting an immediate meeting with MDE to discuss this issue.
Mr. Shoge stated that there was a portion of sidewalk that was raised at 302 Devon Drive and asked if Mr. Sipes would take a look at it in an effort to see what was wrong with it.
There being no further business, Ms. Gross moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Shoge and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor