Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD Of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph Braintree Town Hall MINUTES July 9, 2018 Present: Joseph Sullivan, Chair, Town of Braintree; Richard Brewer, Town of Randolph; Daniel R. Lee, Town of Holbrook. In attendance: David Ankener, Jim Arsenault, Jim Boyle, Lou Dutton, Ben Fehan, Helen Gordon, Paul Hogan, Lisa McIntosh, Barbara Mello, Chris Pellieri, Loretta See, Mike Walsh, Yichen Zhang, Robyn LaFrance. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 1:05 pm. Daniel Lee, Chair, Holbrook Board of Selectman, introduced himself and explained he is substituting for Tim Gordon. Water Treatment Plant update: Jim Arsenault, Helen Gordon  Jim Arsenault and Helen Gordon discussed the status of the OPM contract with Environmental Partners Group (EPG) to perform OPM Services, explaining briefly that the contract is not quite finalized.  Helen Gordon discussed EPG’s Phase I Preliminary Design Review process. She talked briefly about the Basis of Design Review and Value Engineering process and the Designer Selection process. It was briefly explained that CDM did the original design but ultimately the firm selected as the designer will want to re-do it.  Helen Gordon explained that EPG will schedule a two day value engineering workshop with MassDEP to discuss value engineering and re-look at the CDM design. The purpose is to have an accurate picture for the RFQ. It was explained that alot has changed in ten years and a new concept plan is needed to give to the designers. There is a need to develop a new set of parameters. The preliminary designer selection task is to look at current market pricing and develop new conceptual plans that reflect budget and needs. Daniel Lee said this seems to be a forward moving path and he is in agreement with the advice of EPG and keep moving forward. Mike Walsh explained that they have been using the engineering standards to determine cost increase but said that it is now eight years out and it would be a good time to review. David Ankener, MassDEP, Construction Inspector, gave the board an update on the SRF Program. Mr. Ankener explained that the board met the deadline of submitting confirmation of appropriation by June 30, 2018 and the next step is to submit an application and basic plan specs by October 15, 2018. Paul Gabriel noted that they might have a new designer by that date (October 15). Mr. Ankener briefly discussed the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Policy and said he will check with Steve McCurdy on how the principle forgiveness would exactly be distributed for the Tri Town Board. He explained that the calculation is based on Tiers and it needs to be determined what Tier each town is in. Helen Gordon said she would look into the Tier status of the three towns also. Brief discussion followed concerning the Project Evaluation Form, bidding, and the “to-do” list regarding the October 15 deadline. Mr. Ankener said everything is in Tri Town’s court now. Lastly, it was reiterated that the OPM Contract needs to be signed as soon as possible. 2018 Phase I Dam Inspection, Great Pond Upper Reservoir Dam: Lou Dutton  Lou Dutton explained that the PARE Corporation contract is still outstanding and needs to be signed. MOTION: by Richard Brewer to pay PARE for the Upper Reservoir inspection not to exceed four thousand dollars ($4000). SECOND: Daniel Lee VOTE: Unanimous Cochato River Diversion: Lisa McIntosh and Paul Hogan, Woodard & Curran  Lisa McIntosh and Paul Hogan presented a draft report on the Cochato River Diversion Water Quality Assessment, and discussed how to approach the next step in the permitting process. Copies of the report were provided to the board.  Lisa McIntosh gave a brief history of the Baird & McGuire chemical plant in Holbrook that operated from 1912 to 1983, and the remediation clean-up efforts that have taken place since the early 1980’s. She provided a hand-out of the Site Plan and a hand-out of the Hazardous Waste Site map  Lisa specifically talked about the sediment from the late 1980’s to early 1990’s and explained that they have been collecting nine different samples from three locations. Lisa provided a hand-out of the Summary of Surface Water Analytical Results. Lisa explained that the overall samples are good at this point and future resampling will take place. Lisa further discussed water testing.  Paul Hogan discussed the environmental permitting process and explained that it is extensive and will be a two year process at minimum.  Paul briefly discussed the Regulatory and Permitting Requirements and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and outlined the steps to the MEPA  process, including; MassDEP Firm Yield Analysis of safe yield; Water Management Process; Army Corps of Engineers dredging. He also mentioned fishery considerations and herring. Mayor Sullivan asked if this is worthy to pursue. The response was that it can be done parallel to the water treatment plant. Mayor asked Paul Hogan if it would be timely to ask a rep from MassDEP to attend the next Tri Town meeting. The response was that the design has to go to the Southeast Region and that James McLaughlin, MassDEP, Southeast Region will need to be involved regarding the treatment plant. It was noted that the Cochato River Diversion issue will not impact the treatment plant process. It was noted that the Cochato River Diversion will increase the Safe Yield. Helen Gordon suggested that the board follow Paul Hogan’s recommendation to meet with MassDEP, and that Jim McLaughlin should be copied on everything. Paul Hogan said he will reach out to two or three departments and schedule them to attend a meeting. Security Camera update: Jim Arsenault, Jim Boyle  Jim Arsenault briefly described the vandalism that occurred several months ago at the pump station and explained the danger of trespassers accessing the pump equipment. He discussed the vegetation clean up and another incident of access and the need for a camera system.  Jim Boyle explained the Braintree Electric Light Department’s business relationship with Netwatch, and talked about the voice deterrent. Jim presented some video footage on the tv monitor demonstrating how the system works. Both presented a thorough review of the Netwatch proposal. MOTION: by Daniel Lee to grant Netwatch a three (3) year agreement not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). Ten thousand ($10,000) paid on year one, and year two and three to be paid quarterly at twenty five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) per quarter. SECOND: by Rich Brewer VOTE: Unanimous Progress Report on Great Pond Dam Repair Project: Ben Fehan  Ben Fehan explained that after the last meeting the paving was done. Ben is working with Camp, Dresser & McKee to schedule a visit to inspect and he suggested that the board be there and make an event out of it. Other:  Paul Gabriel noted that contract conversations are underway and asked for a vote before the next meeting. Barbara Mello explained that the board is not ready to take a vote but she suggested a meeting in early August. Next meeting date: Mayor Sullivan scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, July 31 at 1:00 pm at Braintree Town Hall. Mayor said that he is open to meeting in Holbrook or Randolph any time if the other board members are interested in hosting. Mayor explained that the agenda for the July 31 meeting will be: 1. Possibility of Paul Hogan getting a DEP representative to attend and discuss the Cochato River (Paul Hogan will ask about this) 2. Possible visit/event at the Great Pond Dam site (Ben Fehan will look into this) 3. Environmental Partners update The meeting adjourned at 2:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary