Water & Wastewater Commission

WATER/WASTEWATER FACILITIES COMMISSION COMMISSION MINUTES November 4, 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 October 14, 2015 meeting were approved by unanimous vote. ITEM # 2: Public forum: No public forum comments were received. ITEM # 3: Emergency Water Supply Agreement between Fitchburg and Lunenburg Water District: Mr. Deline explained an IMA with Lunenburg will be written by Lunenburg. ITEM # 4: Daniels Street – water main repairs: Mr. Deline explained that there was a break in the river (18 feet deep). It will be approximately $40 - $50 thousand to repair. ITEM # 5: New hires: Mr. Deline told the Commission a Parks employee had transferred to Water. He also explained that CORE checks are now required for water licenses. ITEM # 6: Water system – GIS/hydraulic model/water main capital improvement plan: Mr. Deline stated he would like to pursue a GIS system an Overlook will be mowed. There was some discussion on selling water. ITEM # 7 SSU Project: Meeting held with Mayor Wong on Friday – October 9th: Mr. Murawski informed the Commission about a meeting he had with the Mayor, City Solicitor and Purchasing concerning progress delays, and associated risks. He stated that there is a follow up meeting planned with Purchasing to advance the discussions on an OPM contract and the RFP status. Mr. Murawski also discussed a Managers meeting that was held regarding current Procurement procedures. He expressed hope that this would lead to fundamental changes within the Purchasing Department which would help to avoid future predicaments such as the current situation. He discussed his concerns about penalties for not meeting the Consent Decree deadlines. ITEM # 8: Mill (business) sale in process (FiberMark/Crocker to Neenah Paper), and is believed that it will close, and not continue business under the new ownership: Mr. Murawski informed the Commission that he inquired with the City Solicitor (John Barrett), concerning City’s protection against the risk of lost revenue. He explained Attorney Barrett’s initial reaction was that a lien could be pursued with the property owner. ITEM # 9 Authorization of funding approval requests: 1. SSES (SOW & Phase 1): Supplemental Appropriation Request of $600,000 from Wastewater Available Funds. Mr. Murawski explained that Wright Pierce on behalf of Wastewater pursued an SRF approved CWSRF funding of SOW & Phase 1 (the most urgent project relative to the Consent Decree requirement ).He stated Phase 1 Fee is same order of magnitude as Phase 2. There was a discussion on whether to pursue the utilization of an SRF approved CWSRF funding for Phase 2. It was decided to wait to make a decision on this per Mr. Murawski’s suggestion that there is no urgency at the moment. 2. Secondary Systems Upgrades (SSU): Supplemental loan authorization borrowing. Mr. Murawski introduced Jeff Pinnette, from Wright-Pierce, who provided a summary on project cost changes, reviewed project status issues, and associated costs with the Commission (the Commissioners last month, were not in favor of the loan authorization and wanted more information). There was a discussion about the consequences of not doing the projects, doing them later or completing them now. The motion to pursue the borrowing of the supplemental loan authorization of $34.1M was made by Mr. Siener and seconded by Mr. Laakso. It was approved by unanimous vote. 3. Beech Street & Hazel Street Sewer Separation: New loan authorization borrowing (construction and construction administration costs). Mr. Murawski provided a projected debt schedule, exclusive of any new borrowing, developed with City Auditor (Dick Sarasin). He explained the context of the review concerned the Commission’s request to consider if the Beech/Hazel estimated construction costs could be financed via supplemental appropriation request and taking free cash did not appear to be prudent.  The motion to pursue the supplemental loan authorization borrowing of $5M was made by Mr. Siener and seconded by Mr. Laakso. It was approved by unanimous vote. Other Business: The next meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2015 at 5:00 P.M. at the JA Provincial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M. Minutes Prepared by_________________ Mary Jane Franklin