Water & Wastewater Commission

Water/Wastewater Commission Meeting Minutes June 21st, 2023 Legislative Building, City Hall Campus 700 Main St, Fitchburg MA 01420 ______________________________________________________________________________ A meeting for the City of Fitchburg Water/Wastewater Commission was held on Wednesday June 21st, 2023 at the Legislative Building, City Hall Campus, 700 Main St. Fitchburg, MA 01420 The meeting commenced at 5:08 PM Members present: Rick Healey, Chairman Nicholas Erickson, Commissioner of Public Works Michael McLaughlin, Commission Member Stephen Bodurtha, Commission Member Others present: John Deline Jr, Deputy Commissioner Water Division Mark McNamara, Deputy Commissioner Water Division Absent: Colby O’brien, Commission Member George Seiner, Commission Member Item #1 Approval of meeting minutes: Motion to approve minutes from May 17, 2023 meeting was granted by unanimous vote. Item #2 Public Forum: None Item #3 Water Division  MA DEP Sanitary Survey – MA DEP conducted a Sanitary Survey last fall. They came and inspected our two treatment plants along with our whole water system. We received report back outlining 32 deficiencies. Most are minor, like labeling hydrant on one of our transmission mains that it is not potable water. Our biggest ticket item being the roof replacement at our  Regional Treatment Plant. We will be mailing our response and plan of action by the end of next week.  Implementation Schedule – Increases in water/sewer rates and other fees – Customers will see the rate increases on their July billing, which is the month of June’s usage. The Mayor’s office will send out a press release before the July bills are sent out, informing customers once again of the increase. There will also be a notice of the increase sent out with the July billing of water/sewer bills.  Oak Hill Water Storage Tank Replacement Project – Project is moving along. The roof is in place, they are working on floors, sealing up seams, and getting controls in place. Hopefully if everything goes good, the tank will be back online by end of July.  Staffing – We are in pretty good shape, as we have hired additional staff and are down to only one vacancy. Two people started this week, one in treatment and the other in distribution. The new pay rates have helped significantly. We have attracted people from different water systems in the area looking for a change and better pay.  Tour - Small discussion about touring the water division, our reservoirs, and some of our completed projects was had. Email to be sent, to schedule a date. Item #4 Wastewater Division:  CSO 010 Project – This project began on June 19th. Detour signs and construction signs are up on River and Main, and notices will be sent to residents affected. Polito Construction will be starting on West St., and then moving up to Ashburnham Hill Rd. with this part completed by first week of July.  Staffing – We have once vacancy as an Operator because the former employee was promoted to a Sr. Operator. We may be able to hire within, because another employee is interested. Sr. Operator is retiring Friday June 23rd. We have not received any qualified candidates as of yet.  West Plant Repurposing Project – We are in the process of trying to obtain a permit through the regulatory agencies. Conference call this week with the Governors new Climate person, Melissa Hoffer. This seemed to go very well. Meeting next week with MA Dep and EPA.  Rain Barrel – 41 Barrels sold this year. Will be handing them out on Saturday June 24th at the East Plant. Item #5 Other Business:  The Water/Wastewater Commission will next meet at 5:00 pm on Wednesday September 20, 2023 at the Legislative Building, City Hall Campus 700 Main St. Fitchburg, MA. Meeting adjourned at 5:23 pm