Nyack Water Board Meeting

May 11, 2023 A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on the above date at 9 North Broadway, Nyack, NY. The meeting was called to order by Chairman McDowell at 4:30 PM. The following were present: William McDowell Chairman Michelle Bullock Commissioner Eileen Colarell Commissioner John Phillips Commissioner Elizabeth Turk Commissioner Barbara Kunar Secretary Thomas Lynch Superintendent Absent: Approval of Minutes from April were tabled until the June 9, 2023 meeting because not all the Commissioners had a chance to review them. The Cash Flow Statements for April 2023 was presented to the Board for review. The Statement of Revenue and Expenses for April 2023 was presented to the Board for review. Statement shows deficit in revenue and over-budget on several expense lines. The need to increase revenue was discussed. H2M will be compiling an assessment of our rates and making recommendations for setting new rates. H2M architects + engineers projects update: 1. TTHMs Exceedance: • RCDOH review of ADWQR led to discovery that MCL for TTHMs was exceed in 3rd and 4th quarter of 2022. • RCDOH is working to find updated template for OEL calculations. OEL calculation required every quarter. • The Water Department did hydrant flushing. We recommend the hydrants in the in the College Tank pressure zone be flushed monthly in addition to the regularly scheduled flushing. • Operational evaluation required and is currently being prepared by H2M. 2. Emergency Water Main Repairs: • H2M is now working with NYSDEC on permitting to resolve design issues with water main crossing culvert. • Working with RCDOH on same. • J Fletcher Creamer (JFC) dug several test pits in front of plant and is scheduled to resume work the week on May 22, 2023. 3. Master Planning efforts are ongoing: • GIS/Modeling: A. Fine tuning the hydraulic model to be an accurate representation of the water system. B. The completed GIS web map has completed revisions from internal QA/QC. • Asset Management: A. A draft of the asset management report has been completed. The condition assessment and sequential ranking of assets for rehabilitation and replacement is underway. • Capital Planning: A. Asset condition assessment will be used to inform the creation of a capital plan. 4. Plant Operational Assessments: • H2M Operations lead will visit the plant to work with Superintendent Lynch and team. • Continue to lend support on technical issues and reporting. • Helping trouble shoot demand increases and demand management, evaluating flow instrumentation, etc. • H2M in conjunction with the Water Department and Neal Systems has been evaluating the effluent flow being pumped into the system. To reconcile what is believed to be inaccurate flow measurements being registered on the plant totalizers, external flow meters were strapped to effluent (finish water) piping. Preliminary results of this testing thus far show a differential of 19% to 34% increased flow using external meters in comparison to the results recorded on the totalizer. H2M/Neal Systems are continuing the logging of flow data to further compare. • College Tank communication issue is under review. 5. Watermain Installation Phase A: • GCE has completed all construction work and will be working with H2M to complete As-Built drawings and work towards Phase A closeout.  • H2M is currently realigning roadways to be included in Phase B and C of the watermain project and completing design for submission and approval by RCDOH. H2M anticipates bidding Phase B in June/July 2023 with a construction start of Fall 2023. 6. Plant Upgrade for PFAS removal: • H2M received a comment letter prepared by NYSDOH and subsequently met with RCDOH and NYSDOH to discuss the comments. H2M is addressing all comments and concerns of both regulatory agencies and will proceed to 90% submission thereafter. • H2M has obtained NYSDEC wetland approval pending notice of the project in the Town of Clarkstown local newspaper. The NYSDEC will then provide an approval after the affidavit is received. • Design team and subconsultants continue on schedule. 7. Lead Service Lines: • Assistance is ongoing: focus has been on THM issue. • RCDOH is holding periodic check-ins on the status of the inventory investigation. • As approved by the BOWC, H2M will prepare the report and the Water Department will assist as needed. 8. Emergency Response Plan, Cybersecurity and Vulnerability Assessment • H2M has sent a draft of the ERP and VA to the plant for review and comment. 9. Other: • H2M completed specifications for the annual chemical bid and for dredging of the sludge lagoon at the plant. The 2023-2024 Budget was presented for review. Due to increased costs (Bond payments, salaries, insurance, etc.) a rate increase will be necessary. H2M is reviewing our fees and make a recommendation as to rate adjustment. Final review and adoption of the Budget was postponed until the assessment is complete. Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Lynch reported on the following items: 1. In-house Training and Standard Operation Procedures – A manual and training videos will be made available to all employees.  2. College Tank – Reviewed the lack of power/phone transmission issue and possible solutions. 3. H2M to Observe Plant Operations – review operations and personnel and make recommendation. 4. THM and DOH Violations. At 5:29 PM, upon motion by Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Board moved into executive session to discuss personnel issues. At 5:47 PM upon motion be Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner Colarell, and carried the Board moved out of executive session. Due to increased issues requiring the Board’s attention and expanded supervisory duties undertaken by the chairman, the Board believes the Chairman’s monthly stipend should be increased. Chairman McDowell recused himself from executive session. Upon motion by Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner Colarell, and carried, the Board voted to Increase Chairman McDowell’s monthly stipend to Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars. Vote: Bullock, yes; Phillips, yes; Colarell, yes; Turk, yes. Our next meeting will be Thursday, June 8, 2023. There being no further business, upon motion by Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:54PM. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Kunar