UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 6, 2023
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. In attendance were Councilmembers Tim O’Brien, Tom Herz, Jose Medrano and Meghan Efland, W. S. Ingersoll (Town Manager) and Lynda Thomas, (Town Clerk) guests.
Mayor Foster asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the Utilities Commission meeting of February 6, 2023. Councilwoman Efland made a motion to approve the minutes of the Utilities Commission meeting of February 6, 2023, as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilman O’Brien and passed unanimously.
Mayor Foster stated that the operating funds on hand were $2,448,715.99. He asked for a motion to pay the bills. Councilwoman Efland made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and passed unanimously.
Mayor Foster called on Mr. Bob Sipes for his Utilities Commission report.
Mr. Sipes reported that Kemp Scan fixed the PLC (program logic controller that operates the Biolac system and operates the air systems and chemical feeds) at the wastewater treatment plant and that the repairs for the kemp scan unit was $7200.00. He also got a price of $55,000, from Kemp Scan, to replace the unit that is more than15-year-old. He stated that he is looking into other options such as probes which are typically cheaper to maintenance but cannot be used to test for phosphorus.
Mr. Sipes reported that the town is getting two (2) new cut-in valves that would allow the crew to shut off the water to fix the leak at the campus at Prospect and the leaning hydrant.
Mr. Sipes reported that the replacement of filters for well number one (1) are complete. The crew was in the process of replacing filters at well number nine (9) when one of the crew took leave after getting hurt but has now returned to work and the crew is in the process of completing the work.
Mr. Medrano asked about the caps on the clean outs. Mr. Sipes stated that the clean outs needs to be covered so they do not fill with debris. Replacement caps can be purchased at Ace Hardware or one can be made. Mr. Sipes stated that if the cleanouts are going to be buried that homeowners need to put some kind of metal on top or next to the pipe so that when the crew is looking for it, it can be easily found with a metal detector.
Mr. Foster asked Mr. Sipes if he had gotten an estimate to bid out the work for the plant. Mr. Sipes that he had not. He also reported the design phase is fifty (50) percent complete. The design phase for the filtration of PFOA and PFAS is still needed. The Mayor and Council noted that they are ready to get the bidding out started.
Mr. Herz thanked Mr. Sipes and the crew for the work they have done to the pothole on High Street.
Mr. Sipes said that was all he had to report. Mayor Foster asked if there were any other questions for Mr. Sipes. There being no further business, Councilman O’Brien motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:16 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilman Herz and passed unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Lynda Thomas, Town Clerk David Foster, Mayor