Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD Of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES November 1, 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, Helen Gordon, Barbara Mello, Robyn LaFrance. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 10:15 am. The Minutes of the October 10, 2017 meeting were reviewed. There was a brief discussion and clarification on a point made by Mayor Sullivan. The board also reviewed the minutes of the September 12, 2017 meeting to approve a correction made on those. MOTION: by Tim Gordon to accept the minutes of September 12, 2017 SECOND: by Richard Brewer VOTE: Unanimous MOTION: by Rich Brewer to accept the minutes of October 10, 2017 SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Update on Water Treatment Plant OPM: Barbara Mello  Barbara Mello explained that the RFQ is ready to be released. MOTION: by Tim Gordon to advertise the RFQ for OPM services for the Tri Town Regional Water Treatment Plant SECOND: by Rich Brewer VOTE: Unanimous Tree Removal Project update: Jim Arsenault  Jim Arsenault reported that due to a change in the scope of work, the first bidder could not be used. Jim explained that Conservation Commission permitting was needed to clear land next to the reservoir. The original scope of work to clear, stump and grade 15  acres would not be allowed by the Commission. He obtained an Emergency Certification to remove only the hazardous dead trees along West Street and went to Conservation to permit the removal of the remaining dead trees interior to the property. Jim Arsenault proposed that the emergency work be performed by Bogan Tree, who has the contract in Braintree for emergency tree removal. The cost will be approximately $60,000.00. The additional work will be re-bid in the Spring. MOTION: by Rich Brewer to hire Bogan Tree Services to remove trees on the West Street corridor with the cost not to exceed $60,000 SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: Unanimous Progress on Great Pond Dam Repair Project: Ben Fehan  Ben Fehan provided status reports to the board for the months of August and September.  Ben Fehan explained that on site work started August 2 but that during the month of September the contractor was on site only part-time due to the need to delay some of the work to coincide with the delivery of the block mats. He reported that D & C Construction has installed 88 concrete block mats so far. It was explained that the work progress is slow but the quality of work is very good and there is no reason for concern. The contractor will develop a system for the mat installation and the work will progress at a quicker pace. It is expected that mat installation will continue during November and December.  Placement of concrete for the new walkway on the dam overflow will be done in November and the fish ladder will be installed after that.  It was explained that the work schedule has changed and will extend to April. The original contract called for a December 1 completion. He noted that construction of the bituminous concrete roadway paving will be the last part of the contract and will not be done in December due to weather constraints, but rather completed in the spring of 2018.  Ben explained that a report for the month of October is forthcoming. Security Camera update: Jim Arsenault  Jim Arsenault explained that he is actively working on this. He reported that Lou Dutton and Michael McGourty will perform some work on the structure that will involve replacing the utility pole to mount the cameras on, groundwork, and installing a fence.  Lou Dutton explained the work concerning the transformer fence and work activity performed by Shawn Murphy from BELD involving the new utility pole and LED lights that will be on all the time. Environmental Partners Group update: Paul Gabriel, Ryan Allgrove  Ryan Allgrove provided a Tri Town Water Distribution System Master Plan Recommended Capital Improvements Probable Cost Summary hand-out to the board.   Ryan explained the process in three phases: Phase I improvements will be all in Braintree and involve Cain Avenue, Oakden Avenue, and Washington Street water main work that needs to be replaced prior to extending Holbrook into Braintree. Phase I subtotal is $2,870.000.00.  Phase II improvements involve Braintree and Holbrook, and specifically the Holbrook Booster Pump Station and Holbrook Service Zone Extension. Phase II subtotal is $1,290,000.00.  Phase III improvements include demolition of Holbrook 0.6 MG welded standpipe, and Randolph Elevated Storage. Phase III subtotal is $4,490,000.00. The total recommended improvements will be $8,650,000.00.  Tim Gordon questioned the $4.3 million cost of the Randolph elevated storage and Ryan explained that the base is concrete and steel and labor intensive to build. He described this as being similar to the tank next to Gillette stadium and said the maintenance cost in the future is low maintenance.  There was a question regarding the cost on the page titled “Great Pond Transmission Main (Braintree, Randolph)”. It was explained that the $2.77 million is a transmission main necessary to do the Tri Town project and this needs to be included in the overall Tri Town Water Plant cost. This is not included in the cost summary provided today.  Ryan Allgrove discussed water pressure and explained that water pressure is dictated by the tank. Paul Gabriel explained that the improvements summarized on the hand-out are to increase the flow in all three towns.  Paul explained that the numbers provided in summary are to keep in mind in developing policies in the future. He referred to the Weymouth water treatment plant costs, and also explained that the OPM role includes reviewing costs.  Paul Gabriel and Ryan Allgrove discussed the elevated storage tank briefly and said they will take more time to discuss this in greater detail at the board’s convenience, and will be available to discuss budget and timing.  There was some discussion concerning the reservoir and dredging. Other:  Tim Gordon discussed the Lt. Governor’s visit to Holbrook recently. Tim explained that the reason for the visit was to see and tour the new Holbrook K-12 school but they had a round-table discussion afterwards and the Tri Town water treatment plant and funding issue was mentioned. Tim said the Lt. Governor was interested in the Tri Town issue and Tim noted that Senator Keenan’s office is coordinating a meeting in the near future. The board is hopeful about the possibility of funding based on this.  Tim Gordon and Jim Arsenault developed the Tri Town Water Treatment Plant presentation and there was some discussion on this. The presentation is for all three towns to use to present to each Selectmen/Town Council meeting. Tim explained that he included a slide regarding capacity, and he referred to last year’s draught.   There was a reference to a DEP correspondence to the Tri Town Board in April 2015 from Bethany Card that confirmed the Mass DEP Firm Yield Review of the Tri-Town Surface Water Supply System. Robyn will email a copy of the letter to the board for reference.  Helen Gordon announced that she has a new position with Environmental Partners Group and is excited about her new role.  There was a brief discussion about the act of the state legislature of 1885 concerning the tri town water supply and the Tri Town Board, and specifically the “cost, maintenance, and running” of the water treatment plant. Tim Gordon read part of the document that explained a 50/50 or “equally paid split”.  Lou Dutton referenced a vote in the 1980’s but has not been able to find the document to confirm this.  The rate structure when the plant is built was discussed briefly as being 1) All maintenance costs of the plant, and 2) Local town operational rate per town (similar to an MWRA rate). A meeting notice will be posted in Braintree for the November 8, 2017 Holbrook Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The Tri Town board will attend and give a presentation on the Tri Town Water Treatment Plant project. The Tri Town board will plan to give the same presentation to the Braintree Town Council on December 5, 2017. A meeting notice will be posted for this meeting when it is confirmed. MOTION: by Tim Gordon to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 am SECOND: by Richard Brewer VOTE: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary