Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES June 14, 2017 PRESENT: Chairman, Joseph Sullivan, Mayor, Town of Braintree; Richard Brewer, Town of Randolph, Timothy Gordon, Town Administrator, Town of Holbrook. IN ATTENDANCE: Ryan Allgrove, Jim Arsenault, Ben Eccord, Ben Fehan, Paul Gabriel, Helen Gordon, Barbara Mello, Mike Walsh, and Robyn LaFrance. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 2:20 pm and introductions were done. MINUTES: the minutes of the April 6 and May 18, 2017 meeting were reviewed and accepted MOTION: by Rich Brewer to accept the minutes SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Tree Removal Bids: Jim Arsenault, Barbara Mello  Barbara Mello explained that the lowest bid was from RJ Cobb, Ltd. and the Board agreed to award the tree removal contract to RJ Cobb.  Jim Arsenault described the scope of the tree removal project. He reported that 15 acres of trees need to be removed due to an unknown problem that caused the trees to die and become a liability. It was reported that 80% of the trees are on West and Pond Streets in Braintree and Randolph. The contractor is ready to start the job.  It was noted that the cost for police details was not built into the contract. MOTION: By Rich Brewer to award the Tree Removal contract to RJ Cobb, Ltd. in the amount of $132,644.00. SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Dam Repair Contract: Barbara Mello  Tim Gordon explained that he will get approval to authorize the contract at the Holbrook Board of Selectman’s meeting tonight (June 14).  A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 22 at 11 am in Braintree and representatives from all three communities should attend. From Braintree, Jim Arsenault, Lou Dutton, and Ben Fehan; from Holbrook, Ben Eccord, and a Randolph rep will be determined.  Barbara Mello reminded the Board that contractually the work on the Great Pond Dam needs to be completed by December. Dam Repair Contingency Fund: Barbara Mello 1   Mike Walsh noted that the general rule of thumb is to have a 5%-7% contingency/reserve fund.  Mayor Sullivan reported that Braintree will be prepared and will ask the Town Council for the additional $50,000. Tim Gordon said Holbrook will address having their share at the Fall Town Meeting.  Mayor Sullivan noted that $1,050,000 is set aside now. All agreed that it will be good to see this project start. Water Treatment Plant: Owners’ Project Manager and Design Contracts  Barbara Mello explained her research on this. She found no literature that she can share with the Board, but she was verbally educated with regard to the type of structure and weather it is a horizontal project, vertical project, physical building, or in water building. Barbara noted that there is a strong recommendation to use an OPM on horizontal buildings, but mainly an OPM is used on vertical buildings. An OPM is considered a full time job.  Non building vs building construction over a certain amount threshold (MGL is unique in this law of vertical vs horizontal with regard to water treatment plant and pump station. Barbara Anderson, bid expert in the Attorney General’s office clarified this information.  Helen Gordon noted that according to information regarding the design and construction of public facilities from the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Program (MCPPO) there is a requirement to use an OPM on a vertical building over $1.5 million. The OPM can be an employee such as a Town Engineer. The designer does some of this work but the OPM is an important role.  Findings show that CDM cannot be used.  The Tri Town Board will need to do the RFQ process for design contracts.  The bid process is that the OPM goes out first and next the design engineer. CDM cannot continue the project without a formal process RFQ for design engineer.  Mayor Sullivan clarified that we can take the Tri Town’s owned 20% design and put out an RFQ and CDM can apply.  Tim Gordon inquired about the timeline for the RFQ process. The proposal will need Town Meeting approval. Meet and determine the scope of the job. It should be a 2 to 3 month process. MOTION: By Rich Brewer to do an RFQ for an OPM for the treatment plant project. SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous  Barbara Mello and Jim Arsenault will work on this. Hydraulic Study of the Water System: Environmental Partners: Paul Gabriel, Ryan Allgrove  Ryan Allgrove gave an update on the hydraulic study. He noted that Braintree got a head start. He met with Lou Dutton and team and it’s expected that hydrants will be flowing within two weeks with testing being done in the middle of the night. Ryan noted that he met with Rich Brewer and staff in Randolph and they are about two weeks behind Braintree. Tim Gordon explained that Holbrook will need to review its budget due to this 2  being the end of the fiscal year. Paul Gabriel, Environmental Partners, assured Tim Gordon that they will work with the Town of Holbrook.  All three models will be done by July and information for recommendations will be given to the Tri Town Board around September 10, 2017.  The next step will be to meet with all three towns and see what have and get everything in writing.  Paul Gabriel stressed the importance of the OPM role in this project of three towns working separately and then joining together in one water distribution system. Engineering Study of the Cochato River and Richardi Reservior: Helen Gordon, Woodard & Curran.  Helen Gordon gave an update on the project. (specifics??)  Mayor Sullivan explained that he has the authority to do this without touching the reserve fund. (specifics ??)  Mayor Sullivan informed the group that the Town of Braintree increased its Water & Sewer rates slightly and the new rate is effective July 1. The increase is less than $10 per month. Mayor explained that he is positioning for the Tri Town Plant.  Mayor Sullivan gave an update on the possibility of state funding after some discussion with Senator Keenan. Mayor explained that unfortunately the state match is not going to happen, however, they can make a regional issue political. ?? Next meeting is scheduled for August 9 at 11 am at Braintree Town Hall. The agenda will be: 1. Website or webpage (Water & Sewer Department) 2. Helen cued up? (ask about this) 3. Ryan Allgrove update 4. Any news legislature $$ will address (?) MOTION: By Rich Brewer to adjourn meeting at 3:20 pm. SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance, Recording Secretary 3