Water Commission

LACONIA WATER DEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 Chairman Phil Smith called the regular meeting of the Laconia Water Department Board of Water Commissioners to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023, in the conference room at the Water Treatment Facility at 117 Stark Street. Present were Commissioners Brian Wolf, Phil Smith, and Greg Page; Ex-Officio members Public Works Director Wesley Anderson and Councilman Robert Soucy, Superintendent Ben Crawford, and Clerk Cheryl Hounsell. A motion was made by Greg Page, seconded by Wes Anderson, to accept the minutes of September 5, 2023. The vote was unanimous. A motion was made by Greg Page, seconded by Wes Anderson, to approve the accounts payable and the financial statement dated September 18, 2023. The vote was unanimous. NEW BUSINESS: CAPITAL BUDGET-TREATMENT PLANT EXTERIOR UPGRADES-Ben stated that we have a capital budget item for treatment plant exterior upgrades. We have two cuts on the treatment plant road and a drainage issue cut that we would like to have paved. The cost of these three cuts would be just under $4,000. Ben was directed to move forward with this item. CURRENT BUSINESS: ELECTRONIC BILLING-Ben stated that the new billing format is ready for use on the September bills. This is an 8 ½ x 11 format that will be stuffed into envelopes and mailed. These bills will go out with a code that the customer will be able to use to sign up for electronic billing going forward. Each account will have its own code to sign up for electronic billing. CREDIT CARD MACHINE-Ben stated we are still researching getting a credit card machine for over-the-counter use. We are looking at Stripe and EB-Gov as to what our options will be.  2 Laconia Water Commissioners 9/18/2023 LWW PROPERTIES-Ben stated that the roof at 998 Union Avenue needs to be done. We have it out to bid. We currently have four bids that we have received from local roofers between $18,000 - $20,000. All these roofers are available to have the job done before winter. Greg will look at the bids prior to the bid being awarded. WEIRS PUMP STATION UPGRADES-Ben stated that we have put out to bid to have the weirs pump station roof done adding hatches in the roof. Greg will review. RETAIL WATER BUSINESS-A conversation took place among the board members concerning the sale of bulk water and what the incremental costs and income would be. Ben stated that licensing is required to sell consumable bulk water. Bob stated that we want to look at additional revenue versus our water billing to our customers. Ben will investigate what would be required for this venture. EXPANSION OF SYSTEM-There was some discussion concerning the State School property as well as the north end of Laconia. Wes has a model that shows development potential in layers, showing the usable versus the non-usable properties in the area. The Board will view this model at the Public Works office. CLEARWELL PUMP #2-Ben stated that when Premier Pump did the measurement for the clearwell pump that there was a miscalculation in the measurement. The pump has gone back to the shop to change the shaft to the correct measurement. The pump should be installed by the end of October. This additional work will be absorbed by the manufacturer. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN-Bob requested that Ben send him a prioritized list of the CIP Plan. Bob will meet with the city manager and determine if it is necessary for the water department to go before the CIP committee as these projects and purchases are self-funded by the water department and does not come from taxes. KEVIN MORRISSETTE-Greg stated that he received a telephone call from Kevin Morrissette outlining some concerns. Hounsell Avenue-two properties side by side and he ran into difficulties. He called to request to use a pulling service tool to make it easier to get the job done and was told that we do not lend the tool out. Ben stated that there are two stubs that were left for the purpose of running  3 Laconia Water Commissioners 9/18/2023 services to the lots, Kevin wanted to run a third service to serve both properties and not use the existing stubs. Greg stated that Kevin also brought up a situation on 160 Warren Street where 148 Warren Street was being served from Pine Street through 160 Warren Street. The service through 160 Warren Street has been cut but the tee removal/replumbing still needs to be done. Ben suggested that we make the appointment and hire a plumber to go in and finish the work that needs to be done and send the bill to Kevin. Ben will call and talk to Kevin. Greg stated that he would like to know when things are done so he can call Kevin. Kevin also called Phil and Ben on these issues and more. A motion was made by Robert Soucy, seconded by Wes Anderson to go into Non- Public Session at 7:17 p.m. according to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) the dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee, (d) the consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real property, and (e) consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body or agency, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. Vote: Wes-yes, Greg-yes, Bob-yes, Brian-yes, Phil-yes. The members came out of non-public session at 7:40 p.m. A motion was made by Robert Soucy, seconded by Wes Anderson, to seal the non-public minutes for a period of 12 months. The vote was unanimous. No further business, a motion was made by Robert Soucy, seconded by Wes Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. The vote was unanimous. Cheryl Hounsell, Clerk