Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD Of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holborok, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES October 10, 2017 PRESENT: Joseph Sullivan, Chair, Town of Braintree; Richard Brewer, Town of Randolph; Tim Gordon, Town of Holbrook. IN ATTENDANCE: Ryan Allgrove, Jim Arsenault, Lou Dutton, Ben Eccord, Ben Fehan, Paul Gabriel, Cheryl Joy, Scott Landgren, Barbara Mello, Mike Walsh and Robyn LaFrance. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 10:10 am. The minutes of the September 12, 2017 meeting were reviewed. Lou Dutton explained that the water quality has not changed since the Pilot Study was done. Mike Walsh clarified his statement and after this correction was noted the minutes were accepted. MOTION: by Rich Brewer to accept the minutes SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: unanimous Update on Water Treatment Plant OPM: Barbara Mello  Barbara Mello reported that the RFQ was reviewed by the Braintree Town Solicitor and approved to go out. Tim Gordon and Rich Brewer indicated that the review by the Braintree Solicitor was fine and it did not need to be reviewed by their towns. Tim Gordon said he will discuss the Tri Town OPM at the Holbrook Town Meeting on November 13 because the funding for it will need to be approved. It was noted that the Tri Town Board will meet again prior to November 13. Progress report on Great Pond Dam Repair Project: Ben Fehan  Ben Fehan briefly discussed the project update. He said the work is slow but accurate and it can continue to be done in cold weather. He said the fish ladder will be done over the course of two weeks in October. All agreed that so far the work is well done. Proposal for Security Cameras: Jim Arsenault  Jim Arsenault provided the Board with a copy of the BELD proposal for three different options to install security cameras at the Richardi Reservoir pump station. The options:  1. a Broadband installation that would tie into current broadband at the Reservoir Crossing complex on Pond Street and run a physical connection to the reservoir complex costing $17,000- $22,000. 2. a Point to Point Broadband connection that involves BELD creating a wireless point to point connection to the reservoir complex from the available broadband on Lunar Avenue estimated at $15,000 – 20,000. 3. a Fiber connection involving a physical connection from Pond Street estimated at $50,000 – 55,000.  The three options were discussed and the Board members and others who had an opinion all agreed on the P2P option. The question was asked if Randolph and Holbrook had to do anything on their end to accommodate the camera viewing. The response is no because the pump station is located in Braintree and the viewing will be done by the Braintree Police Department.  Jim explained that vegetation around the pump station was cleaned up. MOTION: to authorize Jim Arsenault to move forward with the P2P option for camera installation not to exceed $26,000 SECOND: by Richard Brewer VOTE: unanimous Update from Environmental Partners Group: Paul Gabriel, Ryan Allgrove  Ryan Allgrove provided an evaluation summary hand-out to the board. He discussed water pressure deficiencies, water age and water quality. Mayor Sullivan asked for clarification on water age and Ryan referred to page 3 of the hand-out explaining that the areas in bright red is water 10 days old and noted that this is excessive age. He explained scenarios to get that lower, and explained adding a booster to Holbrook. Also discussed was unacceptable low pressure in Braintree Highlands.  Mayor Sullivan asked a question regarding connectivity and the Cain Avenue water main replacement scheduled to be done in 2019. Mayor mentioned inquiring on expediting this project but said it will probably end up happening at the same time as the treatment plant is built.  With regard to the preliminary testing, Mayor Sullivan thanked Environmental Partners for their work thus far and asked if there is cost numbers.  Mayor Sullivan would like Ryan Allgrove to deliver the same presentation to the Town Council to offer a complete understanding of this project. Paul Gabriel explained that this is a good example of communities working together and in a cost effective manner. Other:  Tim Gordon asked what the next steps will be and mentioned the 50/50 split and the 1885 Legislation. Mayor Sullivan explained that the 50/50 split that was agreed to between the  communities is 50% Braintree and 50% split between Holbrook and Randolph as they are already sharing a water treatment facility which travels thru one town to get to the other.  Mayor Sullivan explained that the Tri Town Board already voted on the percentage formula.  It was asked if the old legislation was in need of updating and Mayor Sullivan responded that he will ask the Town Solicitor.  There was some brief discussion regarding the MWRA rates and that Quincy is the only city south of Boston that has the MWRA.  Mayor Sullivan explained that the update from Sec. Matt Beaton regarding state funding is that he believes that is not going to happen.  Tim Gordon asked how they will memorialize the split. The Board agreed to talk about next steps at the next meeting. The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 1 at 10 am at Braintree Town Hall. The agenda was discussed as being: 1. Vote expected by Board on the OPM 2. Legal opinions from Solicitor on funding for the new treatment plant 3. Invite legislators to meeting to provide House update 4. Progress report on Great Pond Dam Repair Project 5. Progress report on camera installation 6. Update from Environmental Partners Group 7. Update on West Street tree removal The meeting adjourned at 11:12 am. Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary