Water & Wastewater Commission

Water/Wastewater Commission Meeting Minutes November 14th, 2018 J.A. Provencial Building 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg MA 01420 A meeting for the City of Fitchburg Water/Wastewater Commission was held on Wednesday November 14, 2018 at the J.A. Provencial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd, Fitchburg MA, 01420. The meeting commenced at 5:05 pm Members present: Lenny Laakso, Commissioner DPW Rick Healey, Chairman George Siener, Commission Member Joshua Bedarian Commission Member Steven Bodurtha, Commission Member Mike McLaughlin, Commission Member Others present: John M. Deline., Deputy Commissioner of Water Jeff Murawski., Deputy Commissioner of Wastewater Jennifer Lambert Principal Clerk Water Office Samantha Squailia, City Councilor Kate Edwards, Arcadis Tiffany Labrie, Tighe & Bond Engineers Members absent: None Item #1 Approval of last meetings minutes: Motion to approve minutes from October 10, 2018 meeting was granted by unanimous vote. Item #2 Public Forum: None Item #3 Water Division:  John gave an update regarding the water main break at 65 Laurel St. (Zedas Pizza). Water main passes directly under the building, owner was aware of the water mains location when he bought the property. We have isolated the break and are looking into relocating the main. We also are continuing to work with the Insurance Company and the owner of the property to make repairs.  The Lacava pump station which supplies Great Wolf Lodge with water was in need of repairs or replacement altogether. We have since replaced the first pump a few weeks ago and a second pump has been ordered to be installed sometime in the spring. This will give great wolf more pressure on its upper floors where pressure has been very low.  The Commission was also briefed on the Water Divisions many buildings and pump stations. Along with our 2 main buildings, we also take care of 10 reservoirs, 13 dams, and 18 other buildings which include pump stations and gatehouses. Some of these buildings are in need of repair and are on MassDEP’s list to take care of. This will not be an easy task, cost wise or maintenance wise. We are finding that some of the buildings have asbestos in the roofing materials, which we may have to look into a third party for removal. We are hoping we can do some of the work ourselves. MassDEP is also requiring us to update our security, like installing cameras and fencing around our watersheds.  Lastly, John informed the Commission that a letter will be sent to Mr. Richard Bergeron the owner of 132 Clarendon St. regarding his meter being tested. Homeowner was in last month to ask the Commission to have his meter tested for inaccuracies. Meter was tested and results showed that the meter was in perfect working order. Customer will be responsible for the charge of the test and also his water bill in full. Item #4 Wastewater Division:  Kate Edwards from Arcadis gave a brief overview on City Code Chapter 147 & “Rules and Regulations”. She spoke about proposed changes to the Sewer Ordinance that is currently in place. She also went over the requirements within the updated Ordinance and Regulations and the roles and responsibilities of each party. Motion to approve said changes and send concept to City Council for approval was granted by unanimous vote.  Tiffany Labrie from Tighe & Bond Engineers gave a presentation on the Phase 1 Report of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) which is required by the consent decree. She gave a brief overview on the city’s existing conditions in terms of waste disposal, challenges the city faces in regards to wastewater. Areas to be studied were identified in which data was collected and analyzed to further evaluate the needs of the city. Tighe & Bond will continue to work with us and MassDEP regarding the phase 1 report and begin Next steps in the Phase 2 Report.  Jeff gave a quick update on the SSU Project. The project is 65% to Substantial Completion & 61% to Final Completion. We are 78% completion of the Contract Price through the end of  October. For work completed over the last month (see attachment). For work planned over the next month (see attachment).  Brief update was given by Jeff to the Commission regarding the Combined Sewer Separation Project. Smoke testing field investigations were performed, and concluded on Thursday November 9, 2018. This testing helps to identify rain water run off that enters the sanitary sewer system, which causes raw sewerage to overflow into the Nashua River during rain events. Item #5 Other Business:  The Water/Wastewater Commission will next meet at 5:00 pm. on Wednesday December 12, 2018 at the J.A. Provencial Building, 1200 Rindge Rd. Fitchburg MA, 01420. Meeting adjourned at 6:11 P.M.