UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 1, 2022
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Council members Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz and Jose Medrano, Bob Sipes (Utilities Manager), Jennifer McCann (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the Utilities Commission meeting of July 5, 2022. Mr. Herz moved to approve the minutes of the Utilities Commission meeting of the July 5, 2022 meeting as presented, was seconded by Mr. O’Brien and carried unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that funds on hand for the Utilities Commission was $2,456,326.24 with designated capital funds set aside for capital projects in the amount of $1,311,523.68.
Mayor Foster asked for a motion to pay the bills. Mr. O’Brien moved to approve payment of the bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Herz and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that the main water pump was now running at 100%. He said that he ordered and received the part required that the contractor was waiting to get. When the contractor arrived to do the install, Mr. Sipes was told by the contractor that a plate that their manufacturer would make was missing, and they would return. He said that when the contractor did return, the contractor said that the plate needed adjustment. Mr. Sipes stated that he was not prepared to allow the contractor to leave the site again and he personally took the plate to Grieb Manufacturing, who had it measured perfectly in about 10 minutes. He said that the Council will see the bill for $8,307.00, which included the impeller.
Mr. Sipes stated that the manhole on Maple Avenue near the bridge was replaced at night recently, but the other asphalt repairs needed on the street would have to be accomplished by the State Highway Administration.
Mr. Sipes stated that there were some broken air lines at the wastewater treatment plant, and they were working to repair them. He said that this would not be an expensive repair.
Mr. Sipes stated that a meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, August 3rd at 9 a.m. in the Hospital parking lot with Apex, the Hospital, and the Town Utilities to finalize the plans for work.
Mr. Sipes stated that he sent the Council an email about PFAS chemicals (perfluoroalkyl substances– aka “forever chemicals”). He said there was a nationwide investigation of these forever chemicals that has been in the news lately. More than 2,000 chemicals fall into this category. A threshold has been set at .04 parts per trillion in drinking water and testing would occur once MDE made the final arrangements. He said that EPA tested the wells last year for PFAS (but not the drinking water supply) and he was told to include the results on the annual CCR. He said that he did not think that was the right thing to do because the CCR results were supposed to be based on drinking water only. He said that all six wells in the Acquia aquifer would probably require treatment, but if the Town operated on the deep-water wells (the Magothy aquifer) only they would avoid the PFASs entirely.
There being no further business, Mr. Herz moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:22 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Medrano and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan David Foster
Town Clerk Mayor