Public Service Committee

REGULAR MEETING PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE of December 12, 2013 Meeting of the Public Service Committee was held in the office of the DPW 416 W. Broadway on Thursday December 12, 2013. Members Present: Councilor James Johnson, Councilor Henry Ares, Councilor Marc Morgan Attendees: City Engineer Robert Hankinson, Assistant City Engineer Chris Coughlin Principal Clerk and Secretary Denise Merriam, Paul Barba, Donald Fortin. Director Arnold was absent CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Councilor James Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:40 pm. OPEN MEETING RECORDING ANNOUNCEMENT - any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of a meeting, or may transmit the meeting through any medium, subject to reasonable requirements of the chair as to the number, placement and operation of equipment used so as not to interfere with the conduct of the meeting. Any person intending to make such recording shall notify the chair forthwith. All Documents referenced or used during the meeting must be submitted in duplicate to Secretary of the Committee, pursuant to the Open Meeting and Pubic Records Law. All documents shall become part of the official record of the meeting. No one responded. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES On a motion by Councilor Marc Morgan second by Councilor Henry Ares it was voted three (3) yeas to approve the Minutes of the November 14, 2013 Service Committee regular meeting, as printed. ORDINANCES, GENERAL LAWS AND SPECIAL ACTS REVIEW OF LICENSE/PERMIT APPPLICATIONS PENDING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE Request from National Grid of a stub pole relocation. Bob is going to check the area and if there are no issues will report to the committee. Councilor Johnson is no issue then they will vote in favor. REVIEW OF ANY ISSUES WITH WATER/SEWER BILLS 422 Parker St.: Mr. Fortin was present to represent Ms. Marro. He explained they were not aware they could have a second meter for their irrigation system or take readings before and after watering their lawn. The water used did not go into the sewer system as it was used outside. Bob informed him that a secondary meter is used to deduct from the sewer bill. Councilor Johnson asked if they did the lawn themselves or hired someone. Mr. Fortin stated they hired someone they had a temporary sprinkler system for about 4-6 weeks. Councilor Johnson said he should inform the company that they need a meter installed to keep track of the water usage. Bob we could look at his bill before the lawn and then again after maybe take an average. Councilor Johnson said average it out. Mr. Fortin stated it averaged out to be around 11,000 per billing period. Councilor Morgan asked if the sprinkler system was still being used. Mr. Fortin said no. Bob you could asked the company that put in the system to give you a letter saying they put the system in and if they could give the water usage for that system. Councilor Morgan we will look at the average and decide. Councilor Johnson letter should say the system was installed and what the usage should be get this information back to us. Motion made by Councilor Morgan second by Councilor Ares receive letter from Landscaping Company look at the usage before and after the system was installed see if we can subtract from sewer portion of bill. All in favor so voted. 38 W. Broadway: owners stated they have never had a bill this large; they completely inspected the house and did not find any leaks. They do not have an outside faucet. They do not have any washer/dryer units 2400 gals, a day, how could this happen. The meter has been checked and we talked to the tenants. Councilor Johnson stated if the meter was faulty it usually goes in your favor, slows down not speed up. Councilor Morgan it’s usually a toilet leaking. We usually use 650 – 700 this bill is ten times that amount. Had a United Water employee come out could not find a leak. Councilor Morgan asked if the number on the meter was correct. This increase was only for one quarter it has gone back to normal. This is a four unit building and we do not have an empty unit. Bob stated one toilet flapper open could have a gallon a min. pass through. They had someone check the building for them. We went right over when we heard about the high usage. We have good tenants. Councilor Johnson stated bill was excessively high and looks normal now we do not know where the water went, we have nothing to compare to. Bob get a meter reading now see if still leaking or back to normal water could still be going through the flapper. Motion made by Councilor Morgan second by Councilor Ares wait on decision until we get another reading will not get rebate on water if water did not go in sewer system then could get a rebate, we do not know where the water went. Order a new reading. Bob we can get a reading and send them a letter with our decision. Councilor Johnson stated it is an open meeting and it is not necessary for them to come back. Homeowner will try the dye in the toilets. We will get a history from the water office. Councilor Johnson a resident could have left a faucet on and did not report it. We have to know where the water went in order to give a rebate. Councilor Morgan this does not make sense. Councilor Johnson we will wait until we see what they come back with, new reading then we will send a letter with our decision. They should pay the bill to avoid getting interest added on; if bill is paid and we give rebate it can go on account. REVIEW OF GENERAL ROAD MAINTENANCE REVIEW ISSUE WITH PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS Councilor Morgan would like to send a letter of appreciation to George Quellet and helpers for all the work that has been done at Ovila Case playground. Councilor Johnson stated we should do it from the Council as a whole bring it up at next City Council meeting. BUDGET AND ORDERS (Money Orders, Loan Orders, Revolving Funds, other Financial) REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS UNDER COMMITTEE’S JURISDICTION BOB: In your packets for Monday night there are five easements for the new police station, three are temporary for construction. Councilor Johnson one was on the last calendar sent to finance. Does it have to be made now? Bob three are temporary (Rite Aide, Landry’s, and Rose property) two will be permanent, one to widen the roadway to access his property. Moving entrance to Rite Aide to line up with police station. This may have to be voted on separately. City Clerk said go this way. Councilor Johnson because of the deeds? Councilor Morgan it has to be recorded. Bob no money involved. You may see something on the calendar for Nichols Street lot. City owned need to change alignment on the property, had to do an adjustment. Councilor Morgan asked where in parking lot. FYI still in negotiations with Greater Gardner Ind. Association regarding Fredette St., they will tell us if they will give the land or we have to take it. Councilor Johnson if we take it do we have to pay for it. Bob if City takes something we attempt to make determination if damaged. Councilor Johnson if taken by eminent domain do we have to pay. Bob only in some cases. The dam cleaning has been completed by DPW crew, as I could not get any outside contractor to bid on the job. Will be sending the Army Corp. of Engineers a letter to let them know we have completed the work. Councilor Johnson: This is our last meeting together I do not know who will be on the next committee. Thank you for your help these past six months. Thank you Councilor Ares for serving all these years. Councilor Morgan would like to thank Bob and Chris for their knowledge and Councilor Ares you will be missed come back for visits. Motion made by Councilor Morgan second by Councilor Ares to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 pm All in favor so voted. Respectfully submitted: Denise M. Merriam Principal Clerk and Secretary Minutes approved at the January 30, 2014 meeting.