Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners

TRI TOWN BOARD of Water Commissioners Braintree, Holbrook, Randolph MINUTES July 16, 2019 Present: Joseph C. Sullivan, Chair, Town of Braintree, Bill Alexopolous, Town of Randolph, Tim Gordon, Town of Holbrook. In attendance: Jim Arsenault, Peter Berry, Lou Dutton, Ben Fehan, Paul Gabriel, Helen Gordon, Fred Hanson, Brian Howard, Robyn LaFrance, Peter Mello, Chris Pellitteri, Alex Richards, Janine Smith, Mike Walsh. Mayor Sullivan opened the meeting at 1:07 pm. The minutes of June 11, 2019 were reviewed and accepted. MOTION: by Tim Gordon to accept the minutes of the June 11, 2019 meeting SECOND: by Bill Alexopolous VOTE: unanimous Current Water update: Mayor Sullivan asked for an update on the recent Randolph and Holbrook water issue. It was reported that approximately a half dozen homes were affected and that the issue was resolved favorably. Helen Gordon stated that the pump is operating smoothly with the current improvements and that phase two work is in progress and fast tracked. Mayor Sullivan pointed out that all three communities share the same water supply and that the Town of Braintree assisted by allowing a temporary water connection for a short period of time. Lou Dutton said the entire timeframe was from 4pm-7pm. There was no disruption whatsoever to Braintree’s water. It was stated that Randolph and Holbrook required this separate additional $3 million investment to their existing pump station to keep it operating until the new treatment plant is built. Tim Gordon stated that Holbrook will appropriate the funds at the September Town Meeting. Tim Gordon and Bill Alexopolous thanked Braintree officials and the Environmental Partners team for responding immediately to their needs in their emergency. All parties agreed that the coordinated effort worked out well and they look forward to continuing to work together. Legal update on Draft Legislation and Draft Intermunicipal Agreement: Peter Mello, Peter Berry  Peter Mello presented the Board with a draft Intermunicipal Agreement for the formation of the Tri Town Water District. It was explained that the document was open for discussion and could be changed in any way to meet the Tri Town’s needs. The document was reviewed and discussed briefly. o Some of the items that were mentioned on first review of the draft agreement included: The Water District Commission in Section I concerning board appointments, terms, powers and duties, and quorum; The Apportionment and Payment of Costs in Section III; The Water Supply Services and Limitations on Sales in Section V; and the Incurring of Debt in Section X. o There was some brief discussion concerning billing and operations. Brian Howard explained that the Randolph water bill includes a line for the trash fee and he said he would not want to necessitate the need for an additional bill. He also expressed that each town should maintain the ability to set their own rates and have jurisdiction on their own billing.  Peter Mello presented the Board with draft legislation titled An Act Establishing the Tri- Town Water District pursuant to section 25 of Chapter 40N of the M.G.L. The document was reviewed briefly by the Board. Vote of Board to Accept Proposed Qualification Based Selection (QBS) Schedule and QBS Package Drafted by the QBS Selection Committee: Helen Gordon, Paul Gabriel  Helen Gordon presented a memo to the Board concerning the Tri Town Regional Water Treatment Plant Designer QBS Selection and she explained that the committee had a meeting on July 11 and finalized a proposed schedule.  Helen Gordon explained that the plan is to have an advertisement placed in the Central Register, COMMBUYS, and The Patriot Ledger for July 24, 2019 and that Lorraine See, Contract Administrator, will do this on Thursday of this week.  Next there will be a mandatory pre-response and site visit on August 2, 2019.  Due to the summer season, a 3 week period will be given to go thru the RFQ/QBS qualifications which are due on August 28, 2019 at 2:00 PM.  Presentations can be made to the Board on September 9, 2019.  Helen Gordon explained that the review committee will make a recommendation to the Board and the Board will have “points” and ultimately choose the designer.  Lastly, the goal is to have interviews scheduled for the week of September 23-27, 2019.  Helen Gordon asked for the Board to vote to approve the QBS package and schedule for advertisement and distribution beginning July 24, 2019.  Mayor Sullivan asked members of the QBS committee if they were comfortable with the proposed schedule and all confirmed and agreed.   Bill Alexopolous pointed out that the composition of the QBS committee only included one representative from Randolph while the rest of the eight members were from Braintree, Holbrook, and Environmental Partners. It was agreed to expand the QBS committee to nine people and Janine Smith offered to be on the committee. Brian Howard and Bill Alexopolous agreed with adding Janine Smith as a second Randolph representative. VOTE: For the Tri Town Board to Accept the Proposed Qualification Based Selection (QBS) Schedule and QBS Package Drafted by the QBS Selection Committee: MOTION: by Bill Alexopolous SECOND: by Tim Gordon VOTE: unanimous Environmental Partners update: Status of Water Quality Testing and Massachusetts Historical Work: Helen Gordon  Helen Gordon explained that the Massachusetts Historical Commission proposed the approach and that it requires State approval. Afterwards the work will get started in a few weeks. Mayor Sullivan asked Lou Dutton for a reservoir water update and Lou reported that it was at 90% which is good, especially with rain in the forecast. Mayor Sullivan proposed a couple of dates to schedule the next meeting and said the agenda will include the legal updates and draft legislation and other updates. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Braintree Town Hall. Respectfully Submitted, Robyn LaFrance Recording Secretary