Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD Of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES April 12, 2016 PRESENT: Chairman, Joseph Sullivan, Mayor, Town of Braintree; Richard Brewer, Town of Randolph, Timothy Gordon, Town Administrator, Town of Holbrook. IN ATTENDANCE: Michael Cimotelli, Flansburgh Architects, Michael Dowhan, Waterman Design, Vincent Dube, Flansburg Architects, Lou Dutton, Ben Eccord, Ben Fehan, Michael Igo, Aqueous, Barbara Mello, Steve Stafford, Symmes Mani & McKee Associates, Mike Walsh, Robyn LaFrance, recording secretary. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 2:05 pm. MINUTES: the minutes of the January 27, 2016 meeting were reviewed. MOTION: by Rich Brewer to accept Minutes of 1/27/16. SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Great Pond Dam Project update: Mike Walsh  Mike Walsh explained that permit applications will be submitted and that permits last for two years.  Discussed a water survey by MA D.E.P.  Project design documents and permit applications can be done and ready in two weeks.  90% of the design is completed and the new cost estimate is $1.2 million. It was explained that the original cost estimate was done five years ago.  A grant was received for dam upgrades.  Upper reservoir is poor to fair.  Mike Walsh explained that more design work had to be done to accommodate the fish ladder and that ultimately raised the cost of the design.  Barbara Mello gave an update on the project cost explaining that it is a combination of a loan and a cash grant totaling $1,358,911.00. The breakdown for the three communities are: o Braintree: Total cost: $652,277.28; cash grant for $79,296; and loan for $391,042.08. o Randolph: Total cost: $502,797; cash grant for $61,124; and loan for $301,428.27. o Holbrook: Total cost: $203,836.65; cash grant for $24,780; and loan for $122,200.65.  CDM Costs are based on 1. Construction Based Service, 2. Engineering, 3. Design and 4. Permitting.  Mike Walsh discussed the lifespan of a dam and explained that once it’s armored, it’s built to last 50 to 70 years and will be as good as new. He noted that there is no comparison to a “100 year storm”.  Construction cost estimate is $1.24 million.  Documents and permits are ready. 1   Bids open in a couple of weeks. MOTION: By Tim Gordon to move forward on the Great Pond Dam Improvement Project SECOND: by Rich Brewer VOTE: Unanimous  Barbara Mello urged the Board to keep in mind that June 30 is a date to be aware of regarding the grant. Under the terms of the grant, all construction was to be completed and there is a risk of funds being called back.  Mike Walsh is in need of signatures.  CDM is under contract for the design.  CDM is not under contract for the bid process but can do that.  There was discussion concerning the bid process. It is possible that if CDM does not do the bid process, it could prolong the process. Secretary Beaton draft letter:  The Board will mail a letter to Secretary Matthew Beaton as a follow up to the correspondence the Board sent on 8/3/15 after the Tri Town Board voted to build the new water treatment plant. The letter will invite him to a site visit and offer to show him the existing water treatment facilities at the same time.  Mayor Sullivan clarified the background history on the MWRA option and explained that that Tri Town Board already voted in favor of building the new Tri Town Water Treatment Plant. This vote was taken in the summer of 2015 and we will look back in the minutes and provide this for Tim Gordon, Town of Holbrook. Holbrook School Building update & Presentation: Tim Gordon and visiting architects  At the last Tri Town Board meeting, a new Holbrook Pre K-12 school presentation was made and they were asked to return with firm numbers on anticipated water consumption for sports field irrigation.  Michael Cimotelli gave an update on the new Holbrook Pre K-12 school building project. He explained that 11,800 gallons of water per day would be the water usage needed to properly irrigate the boys and girls softball fields. He explained that harvesting rain water was explored but it is not feasible.  The Tri Town firm yield study was explained as being approximately 9.2 million gallons/day and actual daily use is 7.5 million/day. This is based on the firm yield supply on the hottest day of the month.  Architects gave a detailed presentation on the new Holbrook Pre K-12 School infrastructure and the process for the engineered irrigation system. There was a presentation on the turf grass management field process and it was explained that it will be a draught tolerant field. Irrigation program management was discussed and an internet based program will be used to operate some of the features. All of this irrigation system will suspend during rainfall. Expected water usage is 11,800 gallons on the top peak day (example, hottest day in July) and an average of 6,300 gallons on the average day.  The take-away’s from this presentation are that the Holbrook team has done its due diligence, and that Water consumption will be a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the annual draw. 2   Questions were asked concerning the use of water on a peak day if residents are not allowed to use water, and has there been a second engineer to review the numbers.  Lou Dutton corrected the firm yield amounts reporting that it is not 9 million gallons per day.  It was explained that Holbrook does not have a natural resource for water, and a vote was requested. The primary use will be for high school sports. Mayor Sullivan wants to be helpful and explained that 7-9 million was a nominal amount.  There was discussion concerning water bans and irrigation.  There was discussion concerning opening the Cochato River and it was explained that the Board needs D.E.P. approval to open the Cochato River. It was explained that the Tri Town Board decided to close it and now D.E.P. would need to determine its opening. MOTION: By Tim Gordon to allow the Holbrook Pre K-12 School Complex to utilize its sprinkler system to irrigate the boys & girls sports fields. SECOND: by Rich Brewer VOTE: Unanimous Other/Wheelhouse Option - Mayor Sullivan  Mayor Sullivan explained this Braintree issue with SouthField. The purpose would be to install a pipe and connect SouthField with the North Weymouth/MWRA/Route 3A community.  Information was discussed and provided to the Tri Town Board by Mayor Sullivan and Ron Mariano. Other: Action items  Letter to be mailed to Secretary Beaton  Barbara Mello will get documents together for Board  Next meeting date was set for May 5 at 1 pm at Braintree Town Hall. MOTION: By Mayor Sullivan to adjourn meeting at 3:30 pm. SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary 3