Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES January 19, 2017 PRESENT: Chairman, Joseph Sullivan, Mayor, Town of Braintree; Richard Brewer, Town of Randolph, Timothy Gordon, Town Administrator, Town of Holbrook. IN ATTENDANCE: Jim Arsenault, Lou Dutton, Ben Eccord, Helen Gordon, Lisa Maki, Barbara Mello, Dave Murphy, and Robyn LaFrance. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 10:15 am and introductions were done. Mayor Sullivan summarized the history of the Tri Town Board and outlined the history to build a new treatment plant. He explained that the current Braintree water plant was built in 1935, and the Randolph/Holbrook water treatment plant was built at approximately the same time. MINUTES: the minutes of the October 18, 2016 meeting were reviewed and accepted MOTION: by Tim Gordon to accept the minutes SECOND: by Rich Brewer as corrected VOTE: Unanimous Follow up to Sec. Beaton visit: Mayor  All agreed that the site tour visit by Secretary Matthew Beaton and local legislators went well. The Tri Town Board will try to secure state financial assistance with the funding of the new tri town plant.  Tri Town Board will follow up with a letter of thanks. MOTION: by Rich Brewer to send a thank you letter to Sec. Beaton and the Legislators and encourage their support for some state funding assistance SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Budgets and Rates: Mayor Sullivan  Tim Gordon provided the Town of Holbrook water revenue and expense, and rates for the past four years.  Mayor Sullivan explained that Braintree has done a rate study  Rich Brewer explained that the Town of Randolph already voted to approve the Tri Town treatment plant and he verbally noted the rates as 4.05/5.14 per 100 cf commercial.  Timelines and scenarios were discussed for the process that Holbrook and Randolph would follow with regard to Town Meeting and budgets.  The tri town split was noted as being 50/50 with Braintree paying 50% share, and Holbrook and Randolph splitting a 50% share to be determined between those towns. 1   Holbrook has a spring and fall Town Meeting and Selectmen can approve the rates. Randolph is ready. Braintree will be ready in the fall, but could be prepared sooner if necessary. Other/Contracts: Lisa Maki, Solicitor, Town of Braintree  Lisa Maki explained that moving forward, all three Board members must sign all documents that require a signature, and not only rely on a Tri Town Board vote and the signature of the Chairman.  All three board members will sign CDM documents today and will need to have rapid action to engage a contractor. Construction Bidding for the Great Pond Dam: Barbara Mello  Barbara Mello discussed bidding documents and approximate timing for construction to start. She explained that signatures are needed to officially sign off on the project. Work can start as soon as possible, in approximately 10 weeks.  Barbara Mello explained there needs to be a point of contact for the project. The Attorney General’s office recommends an OPM for all projects over $1 million. An issue arose with securing an owner’s representative with regard to the requirement that the individual be covered by insurance. The owner’s rep will need to be a qualified town employee (of Braintree, Holbrook or Randolph) who has a background in engineering and can oversee the dam repair project. This was taken under advisement for today and the board will meet again in two weeks. Other: Lou Dutton  Lou Dutton reported on the current water levels and provided documentation in an email prior to the meeting today. Lou explained that the Richardi Reservoir is currently off line and he will review it again in early February to determine whether or not to start it back up.  Brief discussion followed regarding the draught status.  Lou reminded the Board that Woodard & Curran submitted a proposal in response to an RFQ for Proposals for the Cochato River Diversion Reactivation to Richardi Reservoir. Woodard & Curran was the only company who responded to the RFQ. Board members each received a copy at the Tri Town Board meeting on October 18. This item was not on the agenda for today’s meeting. Helen Gordon, Woodard & Curran, was in attendance and she briefly discussed water diversion from Farm River, and explained Superfund Site Remediation. It was decided to include this on the next meeting agenda. Helen Gordon will follow up with an electronic copy of the proposal to the Board.  Mayor Sullivan explained that the South Shore Chamber of Commerce held its “Infrastructure Committee” meeting at Town Hall recently and had Fred Lasky, MWRA, as a speaker.  The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, February 8 at 10 am at Braintree Town Hall. The agenda was discussed as including: 1. Capacity conversation 2. Lou Dutton will research/outline the procedural steps to open up the MWRA Quincy connection in emergency situation - Lou Dutton 2  3. CDM update on cost and design 4. Great Pond Dam project update 5. Woodard & Curran proposal - Helen Gordon MOTION: By Tim Gordon to adjourn meeting at 11 am SECOND: by Rich Brewer VOTE: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary 3