Water & Wastewater Commission

FITCHBURG WATER & WASTEWATER COMMISSION MINUTES June 8, 2016 A meeting for the City of Fitchburg Water/Wastewater Commission was held on June 8, 2016 at the J.A. Provencial Water Treatment Facility Building 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg MA, 01420. The meeting commenced at 5:03 PM Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healy Ron Lubianez George Siener Nina Nazarian Michael McLaughlin Joshua Champagne Others present: John Deline Jr., Deputy Commissioner of Water Jeff Murawski, Deputy Commissioner of Wastewater Jennifer Lambert Principal Clerk Water Office Item #1 Approval of last meetings minutes: Motion to approve minutes from May 11, 2016 meeting was granted by unanimous vote. Item #2 Public Forum: Mr. Ricardo Vargas of 119 Birch Street, Fitchburg was in to discuss his appeal for an abatement on the sewer portion of his March 2016 water/sewer bill. After a brief discussion as to why he thinks he deserves an abatement, a motion to approve the abatement was granted by unanimous vote. Item #3 Water Division:  Mr. Deline started by updating the commission on the possible leak at the Oak Hill Tank. Lots of excavating was needed because there’s so much ledge up there, but the cause of  the leak was found. There seems to be a number of small cracks in the tank itself. The company that found the leak does do underwater repairs. We will price out the cost of repairing and hopefully by next commission meeting will have a resolution.  MA DEP informed the water division that they will be conducting a Sanitary Survey the last two weeks of July. This procedure happens once every 3 years.  The old Scott Chlorination Building at Burbank Hospital has been demolished. It was a 12x12 building that was no longer in use. We will need to reinstall some of the piping because it’s so corroded.  The Water Management Act Permit renewal has been submitted for the Chicopee River Basin, which is Mare Meadow and Bickford reservoirs. We are actually using less water than what’s permitted, but wanted to secure what we had there so they didn’t take it away from us.  Because of the shortness in staff, Mr. Deline let the commission know that beginning in July FY17 our overtime budget will be replenished and we will start hydrant flushing. The water division will be working some longer days (meter room included) to help get flushing done on a timely basis.  Mr. Deline updated the commission on the status of vacant positions. We have interviewed 5 candidates with 2 more interviews to go. Out of the 5 interviewed so far, 1 is a definite who has all his water licenses up to date and formerly worked for the City of Lowell water division. He lives out of town, but is currently relocating to Leominster. Will decide on the other candidates once all interviews are through. He also stated that he is very confident that we will be able to fill all positions. Still looking to hire summer help also. We didn’t get a lot of applicants for the summer help. Contacted Monty Tech, and also Fitchburg State and will hopefully find someone soon. Item #4 Wastewater Division:  Regarding the SSU Project, Mr. Murawski informed the commission that he has sent a request to the Mayor for appointment of City representatives on the General Contractors and Sub- Contractors prequalification selection committee. Also, the FEMA LOMR public advertisement was posted in the sentinel and enterprise on Friday May 13th. FEMA will issue the “Final” maps revision with a public comment/appeal period.  Mr. Murawski also updated the commission on the closed mill (FiberMark/Crocker to Neenah Paper) which has a new prospective buyer. The property will not continue paper mill operation but instead will be used for mixed commercial businesses. A revised MLC (municipal lien certificate) was issued on May 26th from the Treasurer, which will help protect the Wastewater from lost revenues owed to city from the property owner ANLAR Realty LLC. We’ve also met with the property owners to discuss mechanisms to allow the new property owner to come into compliance with removal of infiltration & inflow to the sanitary sewers.  Lastly, Mr. Murawski met with Legal & Purchasing to discuss final pre-bidding reviews of 100% design bidding documents for both the Beech Street/Hazel Street and Combination Manholes Separation Projects. Item #5 Other Business: None The next meeting is scheduled for July 13th, 2016 at 5:00 P.M. at the J.A. Provencial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd., Fitchburg, MA. Meeting adjourned at 5:45 P.M.