Public Service Committee

REGULAR MEETING PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE of March 10, 2021 Meeting of the Public Service Committee was held in the office of the DPW, 50 Manca Drive at 4:30 PM on March 10, 2021.. Members Present: Councilor Nathan Boudreau, Chairman; Councilor Judy Mack; Councilor Karen Hardern; Administrative Assistant Christine Harty Attendees: Dane E. Arnold, DPW Director; and Chris Coughlin, City Engineer via Phone CALL TO ORDER Councilor Nathan Boudreau called the meeting to order at 4:30 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 Public Records Law. All documents shall become part of the official record of the meeting. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS Dane Arnold: Underground gas tank will be decommissioned this coming Friday. We have an outside vendor to clean it out, lock it up and removal will occur in five years. We have a new credit card system set up for gas. 90 plus cards have been distributed city-wide, system is up and operating. We are currently removing the tennis court out of OC Playground and replacing with basketball court. In process of removing asphalt and laying down pavement. Also making small parking area off Norman Street. Lastly, will be making request to Mayor and Finance for new equipment, 10 wheeler, sweeper and a pickup in the next few weeks. Councilor Judy Mack, Is there access to one gas station or more with the new credit card system? Dane, almost 90% of stations across the country. Chris Coughlin: This week we received a 13K grant from the state to upgrade the Snake Pond and Wastewater treatment plants with LED lighting. Free, cost effective lighting to reduce electrical costs. Also in conversation with solar company regarding panels on roofs of municipal buildings. Will reduce electrical costs, will update Committee as it progresses. Councilor Judy Mack, Will we rent or purchase the panels? Chris; developer owns panels, will be 20 year contract, purchasing electricity at lower cost. ORDINANCE #10399 – A Petition by National Grid and Verizon New England to install 1 JO Pole on Temple Street beginning at a point approximately 70 feet northwest of the centerline of the intersection of Temple Street and Hospital Hill Road and continuing approximately 60 feet in a northwest direction. Installing 1 new P15-50 between P15 & P16 on Temple Street with Lindsey Sensor, 4G Comm & Transformer. Removal of Existing transformer on P15 Chris Coughlin states he would recommend the petition. Motion made by Councilor Judy Mack, second by Councilor Karen Hardern, all in favor motion carries. ABATEMENTS WATER/SEWER 25 Wright Street: previously tabled. Dane, Property owner was appealing due to high use, had toilets repaired. Most recent reading on March 3rd confirms as the previous, no leaks present at this time. Motion made by Councilor Karen Hardern, second by Councilor Judy Mack to deny abatement, bill stays as is, all in favor, motion passes. REPORTS & REQUESTS FROM COUNCILOR’S Councilor Nathan Boudreau: No requests. Councilor Karen Hardern: No requests. Councilor Judy Mack: Have we heard from owner of Albion Street from previous meeting regarding appeal? Dane, no still no contact received. As a reminder owner did not respond to two separate calls at last meeting. Councilor Judy Mack, place on agenda for next meeting as one more attempt to contact regarding previous request to appeal. . Motion to adjourn, Motion made by Councilor Karen Hardern second by Councilor Judy Mack to adjourn meeting at 4:43 pm. Roll Call vote: Councilor Karen Hardern yes, Councilor Judy Mack yes, Councilor Nathan Boudreau yes. Motion passes. Next meeting scheduled as needed. All documents submitted at this meeting are stored in the office of the DPW 50 Manca Drive for any review. Respectfully submitted: Christine M. Harty, Administrative Assistant 10399 10399 10399 10399