Water & Wastewater Commission

WATER/WASTEWATER FACILITIES COMMISSION COMMISSION MINUTES September 9, 2015 A meeting of the City of Fitchburg Water / Wastewater Commission was held on September 9, 2015 at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting commenced at 4:40 P.M. Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healey Michael McLaughlin George Siener Ron Lubianez Members Absent: None 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 July 23, 2015 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 2: Public forum: No public forum comments were received. ITEM # 3: Water Rate Study - next steps: There was a discussion about when to present the information from Tighe & Bond to City Council. It was decided to wait until after the elections, although Mr. Laakso will have a preliminary discussion about this with Steve Hay, City Council President. ITEM # 4: Regional Water Plant - SCADA issues and future upgrades: Mr. Deline stated there are critical issues with the current software and he would like to initiate upgrades that would allow outside access and communication between the plants specifically. He believes it will be approximately $300-400 thousand for a more “open” system which would allow upgrades to happen. ITEM # 5: Hydrant flushing: The hydrant flushing has begun but needed to be postponed. See Other Business. ITEM # 6: Damage (sewer collapse) in Westminster Street Sewer (Saturday – June 20th), Emergency: MASS DOT contacted Mr. Murawski on June 20, 2015 regarding the sewer collapse (which occurred during a paving project done by MASS DOT). Spot repairs will be done and then CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe). ITEM # 7: Brief update on sewer infrastructure damage in the Nashua River: The repair has been completed. ITEM # 8: West Plant Anaerobic Digestion, DRAFT Feasibility Report. Meeting held at Great Wolf Lodge on August 19. Mr. Murawski reported there was a lot of interest and support at the meeting held at Great Wolf and although there was a minor issue with the audio, it went well. Weston & Sampson are recommending different ways to approach this, DBB (design build bid) and DBO (design build operate). It appears, at this point, that DBO would be the best direction to proceed. ITEM # 9: Site visit and tour to the Greater Lawrence Sanitary District’s WWTF scheduled for September 25th along with a tour of the digestate drying and pelletizing operation (operated by a third party): Mr. Murawski has obtained the fire Department bus for transportation to the Lawrence WWTF tour. ITEM # 10: SSU Project: 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. There has been a reversal by Purchasing regarding the RFP and Wright Pierce’s contact will be amended and that an OPM contract needed for the Airport will be used as a format template for Wastewater SSU project. ITEM # 11: Brief CSS-4D Project Update: The infrastructure is installed and Mr. Murawski is expecting a paving schedule soon. ITEM # 12: Fats, Oils & Grease: Code, Permitting, Regulating, Etc. (PENDING … Still need to investigate procedures of neighboring communities): Mr. Murawski will follow up with this. ITEM #13: “Policy” on Sewer Billing Abatements: Mr. Murawski stated no sewer abatements should be allowed for general leaks, maintenance, filling swimming pools or watering lawns. He would like the policies to be posted to the website as an educational outreach. A motion to amend the abatement policy was made by Dr. Lubianez and seconded by Mr. Siener. It was approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 14: Sewer Emergency Notification Procedure (excerpted from the ERP), uploaded to the City website: Mr. Murawski stated the sewer emergency procedure, which was excerpted from the Emergency Response Plan, was publicized to the City website. ITEM # 15: Discussion with Westminster concerning the need to review & revise the Fitchburg/Westminster IMA. Provision in Agreement stipulates 3-year frequency for review & updating (if required). PENDING….No further discussion as of yet with Westminster): Mr. Murawski will be contacting Westminster to begin discussions about the IMA. Other Business: Mr. Deline reported that several unrelated water incidents occurred simultaneously: A leak on Rindge Rd, a leak on Boulder Dr. – with several smaller leaks – and a fire. In addition to that, several gate valves were corroded and broke. Ms. Brown resigned her position on the Commission as of September 2, 2015. Mr. Laakso reminded the Commission that, with Ms. Brown’s resignation, there were two vacant positions that needed to be filled. He explained that Nina Nazarian (Town Manager of Princeton) approached Nate LaRose (Mayor Wong’s assistant) about becoming a Water/Wastewater Commissioner. There was a discussion about beginning the meetings at 5:00 P.M. (with the understanding that they would end at 6:30 P.M.). The next meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2015 at 4:30 P.M. at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 P.M. Minutes Prepared by_________________ Mary Jane Franklin