Water & Wastewater Commission

WATER/WASTEWATER FACILITIES COMMISSION COMMISSION MINUTES June 10, 2015 A meeting of the City of Fitchburg Water / Wastewater Commission was held on May 6, 2015 at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting commenced at 4:45 P.M. Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healey Michael McLaughlin George Siener Carol Brown Members Absent: Ron Lubianez Others present: Jeff Murawski, Deputy Commissioner Wastewater John Deline, Deputy Commissioner of Water Mary Jane Franklin ITEM # 1: Approval of last meetings minutes: The minutes for the May 6, 2015 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 2: Public forum: No public forum comments were received. ITEM # 3: Janet Morrison/Watershed Land Protection projects: Ms. Morrison from North County Land Trust updated the Commission on the Southern watershed projects. Ms. Morrison has been in communication with Bob O’Connor, the Director of Land Programs for the state. Mr. O’Connor was a strong proponent for the Northern watershed. She reported the State may be interested in purchasing a Conservation Restriction in this area. After reviewing maps and GIS she believes 2,532 acres of land are available, which is more than the Northern watershed. She also updated the Commission on four projects in the Quabbin to Wachusett Forestry Legacy project. Zins has been completed and three others are ongoing and are expected to be completed within a year. Ms. Morrison reminded the Commission that the Kirby project, which was 163 acres in Ashby and Ashburnham on the Fitchburg town line, has concluded. ITEM # 4: Water Rate Study – Michael Schrader, Tighe & Bond: Mr. Deline introduced Michael Schrader from Tighe & Bond. Mr. Schrader explained he needs additional information to complete the rate study that the billing software, MUNIS, may not be able to provide. ITEM # 5: Water Street – repair of water main in bridge over Nashua River: Mr. Deline reported Pacella, the on call contractor, performed work on the 12 inch main on Water Street. It was discovered that the main was tuberculated down to 4 inches on one side. Mr. Deline decided to replace the 12 inch main with an 8 inch main making it significantly easier to install, and because of the tuberculation , will improve improve the flow. After the work had begun, and the main was revealed, the contractor found that it was cracked (due to a valve being closed several years ago causing freezing and cracking and the tuberculation).This will be remedied by using the 12 inch main as a conduit and “pushing” the 8 inch main thru the 12 inch. ITEM # 6: Brief update on sewer infrastructure damage in the Nashua River (near First Street and Railroad Street), and update on funding: Mr. Murawski explained the large surplus in electricity that was going to be used to pay for this project was unavailable. Mr. Murawski had a meeting with Joe Jordan (former Wastewater Commissioner) who didn’t believe the surplus amount was accurate. As a result of this, Mr. Murawski began investigating this and discovered Direct Energy hadn’t billed a particular account, the East Plant, for FY 15 in the amount of approximately $500,000. ITEM # 7: Updated DRAFT FY-16 Wastewater Budget Request (Include Attachment): At the Finance Committee meeting, a transfer of funds was approved to cover the cost of the engineering services for design and permitting for the Beech St and Hazel St project and the combination manholes, which will be prepared as a publicly bid document. Mr. Murawski explained a modification to the budget was made to account for the electrical cost at the east Plant. Mr. Murawski reported the Finance Committee would like an update on the Wastewater Enterprise funds specifically regarding retained earnings which will be scheduled for Council’s June 16th meeting. There was a discussion about the “time line” associated with the previous rate increase. ITEM # 8: Projecting “Revenues” (billing): The residential billing for May is currently being completed and the Paper Mills billing has been issued and payment received for sewer usage. Capital billing has been issued and one out of the three mills has paid. The projected revenue was $462,000 and it appears the actual revenue will be slightly less at $380,000 mostly due to less usage and capital expenditures on an annual basis from all three mills. Sewer use and connection permits are both higher than the projected revenues. ITEM # 9: SSU Project: Mr. Murawski reported the study by Wright Pierce is advancing regarding the letter of map revision associated with the 100 year flood at the East Plant and at this point appears to be favorable. ITEM # 10 Update on Construction Phase Engineering Services RFP Status. Mr. Murawski reminded the Commission that that because of some sub trades this should have been a Chapter 149 project and Wright Pierce’s contact prohibits Chapter 149 work. Mr. Murawski, Nancy Wilson (Chief Procurement Officer) and John Barrett (City Solicitor) had a meeting regarding the contract amendment. ITEM # 11: West Plant Anaerobic Digestion, DRAFT Feasibility Report RECEIVED & MADE AVAILABLE, & “next steps”: Mr. Murawski stated that it appears, at this initial stage a private operation - design build operate - procurement model would be the most effective. ITEM # 12: Fats, Oils & Grease: Code, Permitting, Regulating, Etc. Questions from MIIA (Fitchburg’s insurance company) arose regarding the practice and monitoring of oils and grease in the sewer system. Mr. Murawski explained this is prohibited but there are no mechanisms to police it. He is working jointly with Board of Health and the Building Department to find solutions. The next meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2015 at 4:30 P.M. at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA. (The July 8, Meeting was cancelled and rescheduled for July 23) The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M. Minutes Prepared by_________________ Mary Jane Franklin