Water & Wastewater Commission

WATER/WASTEWATER FACILITIES COMMISSION COMMISSION MINUTES January 8, 2014 A meeting of the City of Fitchburg Water / Wastewater Commission was held on January 8, 2014 at the East Fitchburg Wastewater Treatment Facility, Lanides Lane, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting commenced at 4:30 p.m. Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healey George Siener Michael McLaughlin Members Absent: Carol Brown Ron Lubianez Others present: Denis Meunier, Deputy Commissioner Water Joseph Jordan, Deputy Commissioner W.W. ITEM # 1: Approval of last meetings minutes: The minutes for the December 11, 2013 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 2: Public Forum: No forum comments were received. ITEM #3: Results and update of 2013 DEP Sanitary Survey of Water Facilities. Mr. Meunier reported that the MA DEP has completed a comprehensive inspection and survey of all Water Division operations and practices. This Survey is conducted on an every three year basis. The most significant requirement that will be made by the DEP, based on their inspection, is the planning, scheduling and implementation of repairs and upgrades to the Meeting House Reservoir gate house and intake screen. The brick structure is in need of repair to the brick work, roof and traveling screen apparatus. In addition other pump stations and gate houses will need new roofs in the near future they include; Bickford Reservoir Pump station, Narrows Rd. PRV Station, Mare Meadow Pump Station and Marshall Regulating Station. In addition to the repairs outlined above the DEP is requiring that the City evaluate and submit for approval a method off insuring complete separation of an unused water main that, previous to the construction of the Water Treatment Facilities, had the capacity of conveying water from Wachusett Reservoir to the Narrows Rd. PRV Station. At present, the main is isolated by closed valves from the treated water system. DEP is requiring that a method be proposed to monitor or separate this main from the system to insure that no untreated water can bleed into the treated final water supply. Water Division personnel will evaluate and propose a remedy to DEP for approval. In general the inspection and review of operations went very well. Mr. Meunier also updated the Commission on the total dollar amount charged and collected as revenue for 2013 liens placed on property for past due water and sewer bills and the amount transferred to liens for 2014. ITEM #4: Discussion and vote to approve $1.5 Million Loan Authorization for the purpose of performing updated sewer modeling for the City: Mr. Jordan presented information to the Commission in support of his request to approve $1.5 Million in the form of a loan authorization to upgrade the sewer model for the collection system. The last attempt at a model was performed in 2009 by Stantec Engineering. An updated and more comprehensive model is necessary to enable the City to accurately calculate and predict the capacity of the collection system to convey dry weather and wet weather flow now and in the future. The updated model will reflect the results of combined sewer separation work and other recent modifications to the system. The modeled capacity will allow the City to compare predicted results to actual flows and consequently provide guidance and evidence for additional work or for proof of compliance with discharge limits as detailed in the City’s Consent Decree with the EPA and DOJ. Mr. Jordan indicated that the cost of the study includes $700,000 for Engineering, $500,000 for flow meters and data collection and $300,000 for contingencies. Mr. Jordan indicated that the revenue to cover the debt service created by this loan is included in the last rate increase approved and in place since July 2011. In addition, this requested authorization will go before the Capital Improvements Commission and the City Council for final approval. After some discussion a motion was made by Commissioner McLaughlin and seconded by Commissioner Laakso to approve the loan authorization request. The motion carried by unanimous vote. ITEM # 5: Mr. Jordan invited the members to take a tour of the East Wastewater Facility to see the recently installed upgrades. ITEM #6: The next Commission meeting will be held on February 12, 2014 at the JA Provencial Water Facility at 1200 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 PM. Minutes Prepared by_________________ Denis Meunier