Water & Wastewater Commission

WATER/WASTEWATER FACILITIES COMMISSION COMMISSION MINUTES March 12, 2014 A meeting of the City of Fitchburg Water / Wastewater Commission was held on March 12, 2014 at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting commenced at 5:00 p.m. Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healey George Siener Michael McLaughlin Members Absent: Ron Lubianez Carol Brown Others present: Denis Meunier, Deputy Commissioner Water Joseph Jordan, Deputy Commissioner W.W. Janet Morrison, North County Land Trust Mary Jane Franklin ITEM # 1: Approval of last meetings minutes: The minutes for the February 12, 2013 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 2: Public Forum: No forum comments were received. ITEM #3: Review and vote regarding acceptance of a Conservation Restrictions for Watershed Land known as the Zins Property located in Princeton, MA: Mr. Meunier introduced Janet Morrison from North County Land Trust who updated the Commission on the Kirby project. Ms. Morrison explained the City of Fitchburg Water was successful in getting the grant in the amount of $176,725. The total cost of the project is $345,000. With the grant and the donation the cost to the City will be only $63,975 which will be paid with money earmarked for the purchase of watershed land. A motion to approve the acceptance of the Conservation Restriction was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Mr. Siener. It was approved by unanimous vote. Mr. explained that an order was submitted to City Council today to accept a donation from North County Land Trust for a Forest Legacy Conservation Restriction for a 7.4 acre parcel of watershed land known as the Zins property. This abuts and is on a tributary to Bickford Reservoir. There was some discussion regarding The City’s responsibilities in accepting this. A motion to accept the Conservation Restriction for the Zins Property was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Mr. Siener. It was approved by unanimous vote. ITEM #4: Draft FY 2015 Budget review: Mr. Meinuer reported no major changes in personnel services. Capital improvement will increase due to the SCADA (systems control and data acquisition) software used by Treatment will no longer be supported by windows XP and will need to be updated. The cost will be $40,000- $50,000. This is in addition to the capital improvements outlined in lasts months meeting. Three vehicles will need to be replaced due to safety issues. ITEM # 5: Discussion on EPA/DEP Meeting: Mr. Jordan explained that he submitted a semiannual report to EPA/DEP. The purpose of these reports are to show Fitchburg’s compliance with the consent decree and to outline a six month plan. Mr. Jordan reported that as the status of contracts have been in purchasing for an extended length of time, there is no schedule to go to bid. DEP/EPA stated that not getting a contract done is unacceptable. A formal letter is being issued and a meeting will be set with the City to discuss the consent decree and the penalties of not meeting the deadlines. Mr. Jordan and the Commission expressed concerns and discussed drafting a letter to the Mayor. ITEM # 6 other business: Mr. Jordan will forward to the Commission members information for a loan authorization and his draft FY 15 budget before the next meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2014 at 4:30 pm at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM Minutes Prepared by_________________ Mary Jane Franklin