UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 3, 2021
Mr. Foster moved for Mr. Herz to be Acting Mayor for the meeting, was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Acting Mayor Herz called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. In attendance were Council members Meghan Efland, David Foster, and Rev. Ellsworth Tolliver, Bob Sipes (Utilities Manager), Bill Ingersoll (Town Manager), Kees de Mooy (Zoning Administrator), Jennifer Mulligan (Town Clerk) and guests.
Mr. Herz asked if there were any additions or corrections to the Utilities Commission meeting minutes of April 6, 2021. Mr. Foster moved to approve the minutes of April 6, 2021 as submitted, was seconded by Rev. Tolliver and carried unanimously.
Mr. Herz stated that cash on hands for the Utilities Commission was $2,359,423.94 with $1,113,123.68 set aside for capital projects.
Mr. Herz asked for a motion to pay the bills. Ms. Efland moved to pay bills as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Foster and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated that a nighttime water and sewer installation was performed on High Street so as not to interrupt business operations during the day.
Mr. Sipes stated that MDE came in to look at wet spot at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and he said that they were not immediately concerned, the spot could indicate a problem with the berm. The situation will be evaluated and KCI is drawing a proposal to repair the berm. He will return with costs.
Mr. Sipes stated that he has a new laptop and a proposal from Capital Electric to replace the existing PLC at a cost of installation and software at $16,000.00. He said that he thought it could be handled in the budget and would be much more expensive if a different company did the install as Capital and Schneider (maker of the programs) were partners. He said that he hoped to use the new software in three of the laptops.
Rev. Tolliver moved to approve the sole source repair of the PLC and other costs associated with software and installation, was seconded by Ms. Efland and carried unanimously.
Mr. Sipes stated Washington College sent their environmental students for a tour of their operations and the students were engaged and interested. Mr. Sipes stated that anyone with an interest in touring the Wastewater Treatment Plant or Water Treatment Plant he was happy to give tours.
Mr. Sipes stated that he was going to patch some areas in Town with cold patch until blacktop could be installed.
Ms. Efland asked about the problems on Rolling Road. Mr. Sipes stated that they were in the process of patching the street and valve box repairs, but they have been hit hard with leaks in the last few days which take priority. He said that he would be working on Holly Avenue soon.
Mr. Ingersoll stated that a letter was prepared by Michael Forlini asking that the Hospital meet with the Town before there was any shutdown of the remediation pumps. Rev. Tolliver stated that he agreed with the letter but would like to have input from Mr. Sipes. Mr. Ingersoll stated that the letter reviewed the first two quarters of Gannet Fleming’s work and he thought it was quick to pull the trigger on turning off the system. Mr. Ingersoll stated that he thought the letter needed to be sent and asked for comments to be sent to him. Mr. Sipes stated that he would send out notes on the matter after the meeting.
There being no further questions or comments, Rev. Tolliver moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m., was seconded by Mr. Foster and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by: Jennifer Mulligan Chris Cerino
Town Clerk Mayor