Nyack Water Board Meeting

April 16, 2026 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 John Phillips Commissioner Elizabeth Turk Commissioner Latoya Aguillard Secretary Brian Wilson Assistant Superintendent Kyle Coimbra Village of Nyack Treasurer Faith Elliot Owner of 78 Smith Avenue & 285 So Broadway Absent: Commissioner: Commissioner Pearl Gray, Superintendent Thomas Lynch Upon motion by Chairman McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Board accepted the minutes of March 2026 as written. The Cash Flow Statement for March 2026 was presented to the Board for review. The Statement of Revenue and Expenditures for March 2026 was presented to the Board for review. Tentative Budget 26-27 - The Village of Nyack Treasurer Kyle Coimbra attended the board meeting to determine whether there were any additions to be included, as discussed at the March 19, 2026, Village of Nyack Board meeting. After further review, the new additions will be included in future bonds and will not affect the 2026–2027 budget presented to the Board. Upon a motion by Commissioner Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Village of Nyack Water Board approved the 2026–2027 budget. Faith Elliot- The owner of 78 Smith Avenue and 285 South Broadway, presented to the Board a proposal to pay off the past-due balances for both properties to avoid disruption of water service. The property located at 78 Smith Avenue will be placed on a 12-month payment plan. Due to the larger outstanding balance, the property located at 285 South Broadway will be placed on an 18-month payment plan. Payments for both plans will be due on the 30th of each month. Secretary Latoya Aguillard will draft a letter documenting the agreement to be filed in Ms. Elliot’s account records. Upon motion by Chairman McDowell, seconded by Commissioner John Phillips, and carried, the Board approved Ms. Elliot’s payment plan proposal and agreed to waive penalties for both properties. Neptune 360 Update-Due to time limitations, Chairman McDowell will purchase the tablet required for the Neptune 360 upgrade out of pocket and will be reimbursed for the cost of the tablet. Upon a motion by Commissioner Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Board approved the reimbursement for the purchase of the tablet. The Board reviewed the Projects Update submitted by H2M architects + engineers Presented by Assistant Superintendent Brian Wilson. A) Watermain Projects: a. Phase A: i. H2M contacted EFC to confirm whether the final grant retainage had been released to the Village. The $750,000 retainage remains outstanding. H2M and the Village of Nyack have completed and submitted all required documentation to request grant closeout and release of the remaining retainage, representing the balance of the approved grant award. b. Phase B: i. H2M has prepared draft As‑Built Drawings for this work and is currently conducting internal review and revisions. B) Operations Related: a. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Exceedance: i. Next Steps: 1. Regulatory Submission (RCDOH and NYSDOH): a. Update – During the 4/10/2026 meeting with RCDOH, the Department indicated that minor comments will be issued (in response to the March 16, 2026, resubmission) during the week of 4/13/2026. These comments include a revised position regarding boil‑water notifications in the event of a positive bacteriological sample; depending on the specific test result, a boil‑water advisory may no longer be required. In addition, the Department requested updated IXOM calculations submitted initially without a PE stamp, to be followed by a signed and sealed version upon acceptance. b. NWD is still awaiting O&R’s installation of the new electrical service and transformers on the utility pole that was set on March 13, 2026. 2. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Notices of Violation: a. Please note that it is that each quarter of 2026 will result in a Notice of Violation (NOV) for TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) exceedances. All future NOVs related to TTHM levels will continue to be issued until the approved TTHM removal system is fully installed, placed into operation, and has demonstrated sustained effectiveness over multiple quarters. Compliance will only be achieved once the running annual average is reduced below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 80 μg/L, at which point the violation status can be resolved. C) Plant / Pump Station Actions: a. South Highland Pump Station/College Zone: i. Update: H2M has prepared formal draft plans for the installation of additional liquid chlorine at the South Highland Pump Station. Draft plans and the accompanying report currently undergoing internal QA/QC review following discussion with RCDOH during sanitary survey.  b. 6th Avenue Pump Station / Hospital: i. Supt. Lynch inspected the piping within the pressure-reducing valve (PRV) vault and found that the piping is in a severely deteriorated condition and requires full replacement. During a joint inspection with H2M, NWD, and JFC, it was observed that all pilot controls on the PRV had been removed. It is presumed that, prior to construction of the Hospital Tank, the PRV was deemed unnecessary. The PRV now functions solely as a section of open pipe and is no longer required for system operation. JFC will provide Supt. Lynch with a proposal to expose the piping and install a bypass to allow the work to be completed without service disruption to Nyack Hospital. ii. During the week of March 9, 2026, the interconnection between the Nyack Hospital and the Nyack Water Low Service Zone along Route 9W was permanently disconnected. This action was taken to prevent a potential failure that could result in the Hospital Tank draining during a water main break, and to eliminate an unsafe connection—specifically, the absence of a backflow preventer on the Hospital’s side— which posed a cross‑contamination risk. D) Water Treatment Plant a. Superintendent Lynch has been investigating a leak at the plant, first identified during the raising of valve boxes on the northeast side. An exploratory excavation revealed that an undetermined amount of water was flowing beneath the building along the piles and concrete grade beams. A subsequent excavation on the southwest side confirmed that the water was originating near the raw water line, aerated water line, and settling water flume. Further investigation suggests that the settling flume and chemical flume are leaking through voids in the cold joints. i. Update March 2026 – H2M and Supt. Lynch met with RCDOH via Teams to discuss the installation of the access hatch. H2M to prepare a letter indicating that the flume is structurally sound to accept an access hatch. Additionally, the hatch will be pedestrian rated as opposed to H-20 loading. ii. Update April 2026 - H2M has prepared a letter to RCDOH describing and depicting the location of the access hatch. The proposed aluminum access hatch is to be 24” x 24”and will service as access to the flume to assess and determine the correct method to repair. H2M submitted the letter on April 14, 2026. b. Finish Water Pump Room – H2M is in the process of obtaining a proposal for the replacement of the check valve associated with Finished Water Pump No. 3. The use of a new manual butterfly valve, silent check valve, concentric reducing flange and decoupling fitting is being priced. c. Supt. Lynch has authorized the purchase of the surge relief valve on the discharge piping back into the Clearwell. Currently awaiting shipment / deliver as well as a proposal from JFC to install. d. Finished Water Pump No. 2 – Precision Pump has reinstalled Finished Water Pump No. 2. Currently the pump is outputting 2.2-2.3 MGD per day. Supt. Lynch considering the replacement of the motor so that further repair work and assessments can be performed on the existing electric motor. i. Precision Pump (IPS) to be onsite Thursday/Friday (April 16/17) to flush oil from existing FWP No. 2 electric motor. E) Sludge Lagoon a. H2M continues working with the Nyack Water Department to obtain a new SPDES permit for the discharge of the Sludge Lagoon into the Hackensack River. i. On June 30, 2025, H2M submitted to NYSDEC the Village of Nyack Water Department SPDES Permit Application and associated documents. 1. Update March 2026 – H2M resubmitted all the SPDES related documentation to NYSDEC on February 24, 2026. On March 16, 2026, comments were provided by NYSDEC regarding the PPP (CP-29). NYSDEC has since approved for publication of the documentation to the Village website. H2M will coordinate with Supt. Lynch and the Village to create a web page to house the PPP and Repository as required. 2. Update April 2026 – H2M has worked with Ann Marie Tlsty to create a section on the Nyack Water Department website related to the SPDES. It should be noted that this is a requirement of the SPDES process. The webpage serves as a quick description of what SPDES is and provides an online repository for files that NYSDEC will require to be uploaded to the public. Currently the Public Participation Plan (PPP) and Permit Renewal Fact Sheets have been uploaded to the repository. Additionally, H2M and Supt. Lynch met with NYSDEC virtually on April 9, 2026, to discuss application comments and revisions NYSDEC is looking for on resubmission. This was largely related to the single line diagram for plant process and flow values for waste to the lagoon. a. SPDES Website: i. https://www.nyack.gov/state-pollutant-discharge-eliminationsystem-spdes ii. Superintendent Lynch has engaged with Joan Roth at Rockland County Sewer District about re-establishing wash water and sedimentation water discharge to the Rockland County Sewer district. 1. Update February 2026 – Rockland County Sewer District (RCSD) has obtained composite sampling from Filter No. 3 for analysis. Nyack Water awaits results and determination on discharge to RCSD. 2. Update April 2026 – The Rockland County Sewer District (RCSD) did not analyze all required parameters during the February filter backwash sampling event. A supplemental sample was collected in March 2026, and H2M/NWD are currently awaiting the analytical results. iii. NYSDEC Annual Comprehensive Inspection – As part of the NYSDEC Annual Comprehensive Inspection conducted on November 20, 2025, related to SPDES permit compliance, the NYSDEC inspector (Mr. Aung Lwin) questioned the method and metering used to measure the backwash water and alum sludge directed to the lagoon. Because no dedicated flow meter currently exists to capture these flows, a flow meter will need to be installed on the sludge lagoon discharge line to accurately track volume and flow to the lagoon. F) Automatic Flushing Devices: a. Rockland County Department of Health approved the installation of a pilot automatic flushing device on March 16, 2026. Supt. Lynch to schedule installation. G) Plant Upgrade for PFAS Removal: a. H2M issued the PFAS Treatment Plant project for bid on April 6, 2026. A pre- bid site walk is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026. Bids are scheduled to be received at Village Hall on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM. H) New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) – Comprehensive Performance Evaluation a. During the week of September 15, 2025, representatives from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducted a Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE) at the Nyack Treatment Plant. The evaluation focused on reviewing operational procedures and investigating disinfection byproducts (DBPs), specifically TTHM exceedances. Notably, this marks the first CPE performed at the facility since the year 2000. NYSDOH will issue a formal report detailing findings related to filter performance and chlorine contact time, which will inform future compliance and operational improvements. b. On October 23, 2025, H2M and the Nyack Water Department received a preliminary findings letter from NYSDOH and are currently awaiting the formal report. Notably, the preliminary findings mirror the observations and recommendations previously issued in March 2024, when the filters were evaluated for efficiency. The preliminary findings are summarized as follows: i. Gravity Filters – Inspection / Rehabilitation of the four (4) filters. This would be inclusive of replacement of tile underdrains and filter media. Also suggested the installation of an air scour system. ii. Chlorination System – It is recommended that the chlorine injection point for the finished water Clearwell be relocated to a position upstream of the Clearwell to increase chlorine contact time. c. Update April 2026 – H2M and Superintendent Lynch are awaiting issuance of the Draft CPE Report. RCDOH noted that NYSDOH is still evaluating how Contact Time (CT) compliance will be determined. NYSDOH is currently reviewing H2M’s CT calculator for potential incorporation into a new standardized CT calculation tool for Nyack Water, to ensure CT requirements are met while optimizing chemical dosing. I) Lagoon Dredging and Chemical Bids a. H2M to begin preparing bid documents for the annual lagoon dredging and chemicals. Bid to go out in late April/Early May. Superintendent’s Report: Brian Wilson Assistant Superintendent: Brian Hong — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson reported that Brian Hong received 97% on his Class D IIA course that he completed upstate and is on schedule to meet all of his probationary requirements. New Uniforms — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson informed the Board that the new updated uniforms should be arriving soon. Milling — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson reported that we took in too much milling; however, it will be used for LSR Road, Hospital Road, the back lot where the electrical vehicles are stored, and other areas as needed. Pump Packing — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson informed the Board A new Valve company vendor will provide a class so this work can be completed in-house. The vendor will also demonstrate how to perform raw packing as well. ADWQR — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson, reported that The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report has been submitted to the County for approval. We had a huge success with a 35% decrease in unaccounted-for water. Water Withdrawal Report — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson informed the Board that the water withdrawal report has been submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Hydrant Flushing / System Pressure — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson, reported that Upon review, it was noted that the maps had not been updated since 1979. Our System Maintenance crew has now updated the maps, which now show updated flow and valve charts throughout the system. Ford Lightning Utility Bodies — Assistant Superintendent, Brian Wilson informed the Board that the delivery will be Friday, April 17, 2026, or Monday, April 20, 2026. At 5:36pm, upon motion by Commissioner Bullock, seconded by Commissioner Turk, and carried, the Board moved into executive session. At 5:50pm upon motion by Commissioner Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Board moved out of executive session. Upon returning from Executive Session, and following a motion by Commissioner Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the Board moved to approve the following: 1. Patricia Guzman – Payment Plan / Demand Letter -Attorney Jack Schloss presented Patricia Guzman with a demand letter on behalf of the Village of Nyack Water Department. Ms. Guzman expressed extreme hardship and requested that her monthly payments be lowered to better align with her financial situation. The Village of Nyack Board of Water Commissioners acknowledged Ms. Guzman’s financial hardship and decided that a payment plan over 18 months would better suit her financial situation. Secretary Latoya Aguillard will respond to Attorney Jack Schloss so he may convey the Board’s decision to Ms. Guzman. 2. Latoya Aguillard – Salary Adjustment-Latoya Aguillard is to receive a salary increase of $1.6756, and in June 2026 a 3% increase in accordance with Village of Nyack employees. The Board expressed appreciation for Ms. Aguillard’s management and contributions. Our next meeting will be Thursday, May 21, 2026 There being no further business, upon motion by Commissioner Phillips, seconded by Commissioner Bullock, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM. Respectfully submitted, Latoya Aguillard Secretary