Members Present – Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Baird Morgan, Helen McKinlay, Ernie Clerihew and Clarence Greeno.
Others present: John Kiernan, John Haverstock – Town Manager and Kelly Giard – Recording Secretary.
Clarence Greeno called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Adoption of Agenda:
J. Haverstock reported that there was no need for Executive Session.
J. Haverstock reported that there was a need to amend the agenda to add an Abatement Request for Buffum Realty for the Vail property on Route 7. Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by H. McKinlay to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Minutes:
The minutes of the May 15, 2018 meeting were signed, with no changes.
Town Manger’s Report:
J. Haverstock reported the following:
- The Project Worksafe improvements have nearly been completed.
- VLCT Insurance has paid the claim for the sewer blowers following a power surge and outage minus the $1,000 deductible
Public Comment:
None presented at this time.
WATER:
Discuss Status of Operations & Maintenance Manual:
J. Haverstock stated that the document has been sent to the State for review and we are awaiting approval.
Discuss Status of Spring Box Door Replacement:
J. Haverstock stated that this project is complete and awaiting pictures, to be sent to the State.
Update on Installation of Well House Telemetry:
Shawn Hendee reports that the telemetry upgrade is working well. Mr. Hendee and Mark Youngstrom agree that they like the idea of installing the same equipment at the Elm Street Pump Station to assist with decreasing the false alarm calls. The cost of the equipment for Elm Street is $3,648. The Water & Sewer Commission, by consensus, agreed to move forward on this purchase/installation.
SEWER
Update on Pump Station and Wastewater Treatment Facility Instrumentation Project:
Mr. Kiernan from Otter Creek Engineering was present to discuss this project.
Mr. Kiernan stated that there is funding available from the Clean Water fund, which may forgive about 50%, and once the money is made available to proceed, a bond vote may occur as early as November or March.
WATER AND SEWER:
Review Status of Route 7, Segment 2 Utility Upgrade Design:
John Kiernan from Otter Creek Engineering was present to review the Segment 2 utility replacement cost estimation project. J. Haverstock stated that Stantec has given a Segment 3 cost analysis, which has been forwarded to VTrans.
C. Greeno inquired if there were any grant funds available for this project. J. Haverstock stated that there is an option to have the Segment 2 of Route 7 taken over by the Town to become eligible for Federal/State funding. J. Haverstock stated that these implications will be explored.
J. Haverstock stated that there are Grant and Loan packages available through the USDA, however, Mr. Kiernan stated that it is difficult to find funding now as the date for Segment 2 reconstruction (2028) is so far in the future.
Mr. Kiernan exited at 6:56 PM.
Utility Bill Abatement Request (B. Morgan/Village Farm):
J. Haverstock stated that this request was received to waive the water usage fees for the Village Farm/Green Pastures. B. Morgan recused himself from this topic as he is the property owner. Following discussion, the request was withdrawn.
Utility Bill Abatement Request (Al Maxham):
J. Haverstock stated that this was for the barn at 2874 Route 7 where there was a fire 3 years ago and the water was turned off and the meter was removed. Bruce Babcock stated that he reinstalled the same meter. The land owner was not billed for the consumption at the time of the meter removal. The request for abatement is $35.39 for water and $102.12 for sewer.
Motion by B. Morgan and seconded by T. Pelkey to approve the request for abatement. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
Utility Bill Abatement Request (Buffum Realty):
J. Haverstock stated that this is a foreclosure property.
C. Greeno inquired if the water to the property has been shut off. H. McKinlay stated that Bruce Babcock cannot find the shut off valve.
The consensus of the Water and Sewer Commission is to deny the abatement request.
Motion by T. Pelkey and seconded by C. Greeno to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM. Motion passed unanimously 5 – 0.
The next regular meeting of the Water and Sewer Commission will be held on September 18, 2018.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kelly Giard
Recording Secretary
_________________________________________
Clarence Greeno, Chairman
_________________________________________
Thomas “Hank” Pelkey, Vice Chairman
_________________________________________
Helen McKinlay
_________________________________________
Ernie Clerihew
_________________________________________
Baird Morgan