Public Works & Buildings Committee

Public Works and Buildings Committee City Hall Council Chambers Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026 6:00PM MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman - Councilor Larochelle Vice Chairman-Councilor Fitzpatrick Councilor Hamann Councilor Sullivan MEMBERS ABSENT Councilor David Walker OTHERS PRESENT Peter C. Nourse PE, Director of City Service Gretchen Young, P.E., Deputy Director – Technical Services Jenn Marsh, Deputy Director – Operations and Administration Ian Rohrbacher, Superintendent of the Water Treatment Facility Andrew Butler, Weston & Sampson Sam Kenney, Weston & Sampson Laura McDormand, Admin. Services & Utility Billing Supervisor MINUTES Councilor Larochelle called the Public Works and Building Committee to order at 6 PM 1. Roll Call Ms. McDormand took roll call attendance. Councilor Larochelle, Councilor Fitzpatrick, Councilor Hamann, Councilor Sullivan and Mayor Grassie were present for roll call. Councilor Walker was absent from roll call. 2. Approval March 19, 2026, PWC Minutes Councilor Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept the minutes of March 19, 2026 meeting as presented. Councilor Hamann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Input There was no public present for public input. 4. Compensation Fund for Public Water Systems: Proceeds to Rochester’s Drinking Water Utility Mr. Nourse stated on March 20 we received this letter from NHDES stating that a class action suit of the Aqueous Film Forming Foam Products Liability Litigation of which NH was a plaintiff has resulted in a settlement with the defendants 3M, DuPont, Tyco and BASF and that total amount of nationwide payments is 15 billion dollars. Phase 1 claims will be proceeds to NH for $45M from 3M and Dupont. Phase 2 will be about $10M from Tyco/BASF. Public Works & Building Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026  Eligible communities are any that have any detected level of PFAS in their public water systems. This has resulted in proceeds to Rochester in amount of $583,227. The award amount is determined by a formula that is based on PFAS levels and plant flow. Funds are sent to Drinking and Groundwater Trust Fund and are available until 2029 or 2031 when the new EPA PFAS standards are in effect. Mr. Nourse stated that the funds could be used towards some initiatives he is looking at to reduce the PFAS levels at the Cocheco Well such as dilution and blending to drop the levels below the EPA standards that will be in effect either 2029 or 2031. He stated that staff needs to get with NHDES to determine how to apply for the funds and how disbursements will work and whether a supplemental gross appropriation from the Water Fund may be needed. More to follow. 5. Grante Ridge Development District Growth: Water and Sewer Capacity Studies Mr. Nourse stated he commissioned a water and sewer capacity study in 2023 due to his concerns about mixed-use with residential development which was authorized by the Council for the Ridge. He stated the delay in this presentation is due to the long-evolving tenant concept of the Waterstone Phase II development. He stated that the concept was determined only about a year ago and at that time the water and sewer demands were known. He stated that this comprehensive study reviewed the utility needs for a complete Granite Ridge District build out which includes current demands, actual demand numbers for Phase II and estimated demand numbers for the contemplated Phase III, called Northgate. It also included conservative estimates of the remaining developable land. He reminded the Committee that they had been acquainted by the Finance Director in February on the Northgate project. He stated that the review showed that the density for Phase II and contemplated density for Phase III Northgate produces very high gallons per day in water and wastewater needs per acre, even higher than standard engineering references recommend. As a result of this, a very conservative approach was used for the demands of future developable lots. He stated this is due to the trend of high-density development. He stated that without capacity upgrades the Ridge cannot be supported with current infrastructure. He cited the Rt 11 sewer pump station will be at only 25% capacity following Phase II coming online and cannot support a full Ridge build out. He stated that the sewer pipe in Rt 11 is undersized for a full buildout, but it is being upsized as part of the Rt 11 widening projects required of Waterstone for Phase II and is also in the City’s project for City’s portion of the widening. New, larger pipe will be installed in each project to support a full Ridge buildout. He stated that a full buildout will increase flow to the Wastewater Treatment Facility by 20% and that the Drinking Water Facility will have to produce more than this amount of flow due to fire and irrigation needs. He stated that currently neither facility can support this growth and also cited his efforts to increase drinking water capacity and cited that the new EPA upgrades to the wastewater facility will have to accommodate this growth. He stated that the existing water booster pump station on secondary drive does not have the capacity at this time to support Phase II but staff is working with the developer to augment capacity to accommodate Phase II and any near- term concurrent development. He reminded the Committee that this pump station had always been envisioned as eventually servicing an elevated atmospheric storage tank and Public Works & Building Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026  such a tank is needed for full build-out. He stated that engineers are currently evaluating design options for this tank and that there is proposed funding in the pending FY27 CIP budget to keep this effort going. Engineers from Weston-Sampson Engineers then provided a detailed presentation on the water and sewer capacity study (attached). 6. EPA’s Lead and Copper Revisions Rule and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements: Refresher and Update (please see attached preparatory background) Regulatory background since 1991 from EPA and NHDES was attached to the agenda to refresh the Committee. Mr. Nourse provided a summary of where the City is regarding compliance and interpretation of the Lead and Copper Improvement Rule. The focus is to identify lead and galvanized service lines and eliminate them in 10 years. He stated that at this time the City is in compliance and in a good situation. A full review of all nearly 8,000 service lines has been completed, and no lead has been identified on either the utility or customer sides of services. He stated galvanized lines were identified but proactively removed from the system. He stated that materials were identified through visual observations, historic tie-card records, assessing data and as-built records. He said that regulators require field verification guided by a statistical generator which for Rochester will provide the addresses of 371 customers which require in-field verification through pot- holing. Pot-holing means penetrating pavement, sidewalks or earth to visually determine the pipe material on either side of the curbstop valve. We have until 2034 to do this. He stated that when there is a protocol from the regulators he will implement this program. He stated that should verification show lead or galvanized lines that they will be replaced. He reminded the Committee that they had provided approval for the utility to replace the customer side. He stated that although not regulated, regulators may provide guidance on black pipe which depending upon manufacture date may have a lead coating inside. He stated there was a very small number of these. He stated that the City banned lead pipes in 1982, before the 1986 national and 1989 New Hampshire bans and that the EPA recognizes this date as a key date to inform efforts. The Water Superintendent provided a summary of the changes in sampling protocol that the rule requires. The Committee was reminded that in the City’s drinking water copper is not an issue as sampling has always shown it far below EPA action levels and that lead has for many years been far below the 10 parts per billion action level that is in the new rule. He stated the challenge now is that regulators want utilities to discover and replace lead and galvanized lines past master meters such as mobile home parks. The utility trade considers distribution past master meters as premise plumbing and the utility does not have records or control of it and, that many parks would not have records either. He stated Rochester has 25 mobile home parks and 2500 mobile homes, half of which are pre-1982. He stated that American Waterworks Association has brought suit against the EPA as they feel EPA is conflating access with control. They also cite the large 100-billion-dollar cost nationwide and the time schedule required. He stated that the City is holding off until a decision expected later this year and until a directive from regulators. He stated there is $15 billion dollars available nationwide, but this effort would be extremely large for the City just to identify materials. He stated that lead Public Works & Building Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026  7. Joint NHDOT-Maine DOT Piscataqua Bridge Traffic Management Plan Overview Mr. Nourse stated on Mar 25 he and City Manager and Fire and Police Chiefs met with this joint NHDOT, Maine DOT and consultants’ coalition that has a goal to improve traffic management in communities around the Piscataqua River in the event that the Piscataqua River bridge goes down for prolonged periods greater than 48 hours. They cited the bridge going off-line 3 times in the last few years for a total of about 20 hrs. for emergency response. They are more concerned with prolonged down time. The inspiration for the effort was the Key Bridge long term closure in Baltimore when a barge struck it. Their goal is to seek to best manage traffic redistribution in the event of this bridge closure which carries 80,000 vehicles per day. Travel apps will reroute travelers often in haphazard ways, seeking any alternative and these re-routes advising thousands of vehicles can inundate the local highway systems of many communities. Seven bridges including the Piscataqua, Sara Long, Rt 4 and E. Roch’s Rt 202/Highland St bridge to Lebanon are focus bridges. They are most interested in the City’s projects that may impact routes. Mr. Nourse will continue to advise them on ongoing and upcoming transportation projects. They are currently ½ way thru meeting with local communities to understand their highway and utility systems. Their study schedule looks to produce a report later this summer. 8. Wastewater Treatment Plant Staffing Mr. Nourse stated he acquainted the Committee with this issue last year. He stated that the water utility profession is experiencing a mass retirement of qualified operators. Average age in water utility trade is 58 and recruitment of young people into the profession is drastically down nation wide. He stated that at our plant the Superintendent and Lead operator combined have served the City about 90 years and within the next 4 years both are likely to be retiring and as close as 1 year from now one may be retired. The plant is rated for Grade 4 operation, and the state requires 2 employees have the rated grade. Both of these employees have this grade of license. The Chief Operator position requires a Grade 4 and remains vacant despite being advertised for over a year. The Superintendent and Chief Operator positions required a Grade 4 and our Lead Operator happens to have it. He stated that if we cannot recruit a Chief Operator when we lose either the Superintendent or Lead Operator to retirement, we will be out of compliance because we will be losing one of the two licenses. He believes from talking with NHDES that if this happens we would likely not be issued a violation as long as we were actively recruiting or developing an existing employee for advancement to Grade 4. Should we lose both in short succession and are unable to fill the Chief Operator position, we cannot operate the plant leading to large violations. Not having a Chief Operator result in overburden workload for the Superintendent and ideally we would have this Chief now as we embark on multi-million dollar upgrades to the facility. He stated he researched agencies that offer contracted services. But those that are interested have a model where they provide the operator and the municipal staff becomes their employees. Public Works & Building Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026  He felt that is not good for our employees or right for the City. And there is evidence that profit-centric business models (which are not municipal models) can result in lack of planning and maintenance neglect. He also checked with headhunting services but there seem to be too many strings attached to those services. Though a headhunter may find a candidate, the State does not offer reciprocity for the license so your typical out of state Grade 4 likely will not retest to get here. He stated he had a meeting with the City Manager and Human Resources Department to look at some creative ways to solve the challenge and that they are supportive. Mr. Nourse was asked if wages were a factor in the difficulty to hire. He stated that Public Works believe it is but that the Human Resources Department may differ in that opinion. It was suggested that this issue be brought up in the budget cycle. 9. Other Mr. Nourse said that he checked with NHDOT on the Labrador Drive traffic signal and that NHDOT had adjusted the green time exit from 10 to 20 seconds and he is waiting to hear back as to why they did not set it for a full 30 seconds which it was supposed to be set at they said. Mr. Nourse showed a NHDOJ website which stated that the owner of Old Dutch Mustard would be sent to jail for polluting a river. The City has received acetic acid from them since 2012 to be used at the wastewater plant as an enriched carbon source for denitrification. He stated the acid is a production waste from the company and has been shipped here each week since then free of charge. He said he hoped that the company’s legal problems would not jeopardize future product availability. He said that this possibility had been looked at and there is a product called Micro-C which is a glycerin-based external carbon source which is manufactured specifically for denitrification but its cost tracts that of diesel. Years ago when this was looked at the annual cost to feed the plant could be 300 thousand dollars and with increases in diesel cost, may be even more now. Mr. Nourse said that the intersection improvements to Salmon Falls Rd and Milton Rd intersection had bids coming in on May 7th, 2026. Mr. Nourse stated that due to current fuel cost increases the City may have to look at fuel escalation clauses in its construction contracts. One such request has been received on a project. Meeting adjourned at 7:14PM Minutes respectfully submitted by Laura McDormand, Admin. Services & Utility Billing Supervisor Public Works & Building Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2026  The State of New Hampshire DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Robert R. Scott, Commissioner March 20, 2026 Peter Nourse City of Rochester DPW 209 Chestnut Hill Road Rochester, NH 03867 Via Email: peter.nourse@rochesternh.gov Subject: PWS ID: 2001010, Rochester Water Department PFAS Compensation Fund for Public Water Systems – Group 2 Dear Mr. Nourse: The State of New Hampshire joined four separate class action Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation settlement agreements with 3M, DuPont, Tyco and BASF designed to resolve claims for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of public drinking water sources. The New Hampshire Department of Justice has and is submitting claims for PFAS settlements on behalf of eligible water systems. Pursuant to RSA Ch. 485-H:6, settlement funds will be deposited into the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund and the Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission is charged with ensuring these funds are distributed directly to public water systems whose water sources are contaminated by PFAS. The Advisory Commission authorized the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to administer settlement funds under the PFAS Compensation Fund for Public Water Systems (Program) to eligible public water systems to compensate for the costs to remediate PFAS in their supply source. The amount of compensation is established in the national settlement agreement and based on PFAS concentrations in the source water, water use data, and source maximum pumping capacity. Because water systems are at different stages in addressing PFAS contamination, NHDES has assigned water systems to groups to guide strategic distribution of funds. Based on the criteria established in the Program, Rochester Water Department is assigned to Group 2, which represents public water systems that have PFAS detections and may be planning a PFAS mitigation project in the future. The amount of compensation for your claim is $583,227. Compensation funds are available to cover documented costs of PFAS drinking water remediation projects. Please be aware that the claim amount may only cover a portion of www.des.nh.gov 29 Hazen Drive • PO Box 95 • Concord, NH 03302-0095 (603) 271-3503 • Fax: (603) 271-2867 • TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 Rochester Water Department March 20, 2026 Page 2 of 2 the total project cost. NHDES has additional funding sources that may supplement the cost of a PFAS mitigation project. To access your compensation claim and/or discuss additional funding options, please contact Amy Rousseau by phone: (603) 271-8801 or by email: Amy.E.Rousseau@des.nh.gov for further direction in addition to any questions or concerns you may have on the matter. Sincerely, Robert R. Scott NHDES Commissioner cc: Ian Rohrbacher, City of Rochester DPW (ian.rohrbacher@rochesternh.gov)  City of Rochester Granite Ridge Water & Sewer Systems  INTRODUCTIONS • Andrew Butler, Weston & Sampson • Sam Kenney, Weston & Sampson  HISTORY - SEWER • Route 11 sewer pump station upgrade 2023 • Granite Ridge Zoning District recently allowed residential • Ridge Phase 2 estimated 200+ units • Concern development would exceed upgrade capacity  FIRST CAPACITY EVALUATION (2023) • Review records of gravity main and pump station • Identify properties with potential for future development • Estimated future flows (+72,000 GPD) • Gravity main did exceed capacity SECOND CAPACITY EVALUATION (2025) • Finalized sewer usage from The Ridge Phase 2 (105,000 GPD) • Only looked at the impacts of Phase 2 on sewer infrastructure • Gravity main was under 80% capacity threshold • Pump Station uses ~73% of pumping capacity in peak conditions  THIRD CAPACITY EVALUATION (2026) • The Ridge Phase 3 is estimating 363,000 GPD • Developments are much larger (+2000 GPD/acre) • Multiple scenarios of build out that include THIRD CAPACITY EVALUATION (2026) • Utilized hydraulic model to evaluate from Rt 11 to WWTF • Looked at gravity mains, pump stations, forcemains, and siphons THIRD CAPACITY EVALUATION (2026) • Rt 11 gravity upsizing • Rt 11 PS upgrade • Rt 11 FM velocity THIRD CAPACITY EVALUATION (2026) • Diversion structure upstream • River St Siphon handles most flow • River St PS typically sees little flow • Redundancy Ri v e r St r e et Di v e r s i on s t r uc ture SMH 2 784 THIRD CAPACITY EVALUATION (2026) • Old Dover Rd Siphon • Model shows SSO during existing peak conditions • With increased flows, SSO is larger • In practice, hasn’t been an issue SEWER CAPACITY EVALUATION RECAP • Large developments (105,000 GPD & 363,000 GPD) • Capital improvements are required to handle increased flows • Ongoing utility improvements along Rt 11 City retains Weston & Sampson • Preliminary study for a new water storage tank and associated improvements in the Granite Ridge District – in progress – Tank sizing – Tank styles – Hydraulic water system modeling – GR Pump Station analysis – Continued design development • Previous effort for Route 11 E x amp l e o f a c o mp o si te e levat ed t ank o pt ion ( C o u rte sy o f Ph o e nix F ab ri c at ors & E re c t o rs, 2 0 2 2) . Capacity Study Offices along the East Coast Projected Water Demands • Demands provided by the developer (includes GR Phase 3) • Estimated projected maximum day demand of 460,000 gallons per day • Estimated projected average day demand of 270,000 gallons per day Increase in Average Day Water Demand in Granite Ridge District Visualization* 300,000 250,000 Gallons per day 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 - Approximate Existing Water Projected Water Demand*** Demand** *V alues ar e appr oximated to pr esent a visualization of incr ease in water demand within the distr ict. Offices along **Value does not include projected Phase III demands. ***Value includes projected Phase III demands. the East Coast Hydraulic Modeling – Previous Effort 2023 • Hydraulic model utilized to evaluate the water system’s ability to serve proposed development within the Granite Ridge District – Granite Ridge supplied by gravity system or boosted pressure zone – Simulated under multiple system scenarios o Cocheco Well online/offline o Seasonal valve closures o Existing vs. proposed demands – Factors evaluated: o Increase water main capacity? o Increase pump station capacity? o Maintain required pressures? Offices along the East Coast Granite Ridge Pump Station • Existing feature (at the Ridge plaza) • Currently used as a constant pressure output station • Original 2014 design intent - fill a future water storage tank • Tank not constructed in 2014 – Buildout/turnover considerations • Planned development as “inflection point” for infrastructure modification E x i st i ng G ran i t e Ri d ge Pump St atio n Offices along the East Coast Proposed Water Storage Tank Location • Proposed location behind the Walmart off Route 11 Existing Walmart Offices along the East Coast Proposed Water Storage Tank Sizing • Estimated tank volume anticipated to be ~0.5 to 1.0 million gallons • Provides domestic pressure (35 psi minimum) • Buffer for peak demands • Determined by ISO • Provides fire flow (20 psi minimum) • Water main breaks, equipment failure, Offices along raw water contamination the East Coast Water Storage Tank Style Options • Elevated tank styles to be reviewed and an option chosen • Glass-fused-to-steel, composite elevated, multi- column elevated, single pedestal, etc. • Capital vs. rehabilitation cost E x i st i ng Hi g h l and Tan k l o c at e d o f f E i se n how er Dri ve i n Ro c h e st er, NH. Offices along Th i s t an k st y l e i s a g l ass - f used -t o- st e e l c o mp o si t e e l e vat ed t an k . the East Coast Water Storage Tank Life Cycle Cost Analysis Est. Est. Est. Coated Est. Est. 80-Year Rehabilitation/ Rehabilitation/ Tank Style Surface Capital Lifecycle Painting Cost Painting Cost Area (SF)(1) Cost(2) Cost(5) 2055(3) 2085(3) Multi-Column Elevated 39,290 $2.80M $1.67M $1.67M $6.14M Tank(4) Single 29,243 $3.57M $1.02M $1.02M $5.61M Pedestal Tank Fluted Column 66,542 $3.80M $2.33M $2.33M $8.46M Elevated Tank Glass-Fused- to-Steel Composite 0 $4.38M $0.30M $0.30M $4.98M Elevated Tank(7) Composite Elevated Tank 19,743 $4.10M $0.69M $0.69M $5.48M (CET) Notes: (1) Estimated coated surface area is an average of the coated surface area provided by each tank manufacturer. (2) Capital costs are an average of the costs provided by each manufacturer in March 2026 based on design criteria provided by Weston & Sampson. (3) Estimated maintenance painting cost assumes $35/SF in 2026 dollars. (4) Estimated maintenance painting cost of the multi-column legs and cabling assumes $60/SF in 2026 dollars. (5) Values presented are estimated present worth of 80-year lifecycle in 2026 dollars. (6) Estimated costs are for tank life cycle costing only and do not represent total project estimate (including Offices along the East Coast site work, engineering and contingency). (7) Rehabilitation cost for glass-fused-to-steel elevated tank accounts for rehabilitation occurring every 20 years and includes the costs of replacement of sealant and sacrificial anodes in the cathodic protection system. Ongoing Efforts • Hydraulic model further utilized to evaluate service to proposed development within the Granite Ridge District via new tank and retrofitted pump station • Finalize Tank Design Criteria • Deliver Basis of Design to City Offices along the East Coast  THANK YOU! Contact info: Samuel Kenney Andrew Butler kenneys@wseinc.com Butler.Andrew@wseinc.com 603-570-6314 603-600-8963 Questions? ROUTE 11 CORRIDOR OVERVIEW Offices along the East Coast WATER TANK – APPROPRIATION COST • Estimated cost appropriated for water storage tank, supporting infrastructure, and system improvements: $15.5 million Item Cost (in millions) 1.0 Million Gallon Water Storage Tank $5.5 Water Storage Tank Site Work $0.37 Water Storage Tank Access Drive $0.9 Utilities $1.09 Pump Station Modifications $0.67 Subtotal $8.53 Engineering, Design, and Construction $1.02 (12%) General Contractor Markup (15%) $1.28 Contingency (30%) $3.25 Offices along Total Cost $15.5 the East Coast ESTIMATED STORAGE CALCULATION Volume Storage Component (gallons) Equalization Requirement 115,192 (25% of MDD) Fire Flow Requirement(1) 240,000 Emergency Storage (Volume Equal to 0.5 135,520 ADD) Total Required Storage 490,712 Total Required Storage 500,000 (Rounded) (1) Per anticipated ISO/ City standard requirement (2,000 GPM at 2-hour duration). Offices along the East Coast ESTIMATED COST OF ROUTE 11 PS UPGRADE  Piscataqua River Bridge Transportation Management Plan Overview The Piscataqua River Bridge Transportation Management Plan (TMP) is a coordinated regional effort to maintain safe, reliable travel during planned or unplanned disruptions to the bridge network between Maine and New Hampshire. Because closures affect multiple communities, the plan is being developed collaboratively with municipalities, emergency services, and transportation agencies to ensure strategies reflect local priorities. Regional Travel Context 90,000 TRIPS. • When the Piscataqua River Bridge travel ONE CRITICAL CONNECTION. is disrupted, vehicles shift to nearby bridges and key arterials. • Many of these routes already experience frequent congestion. Local Collaboration • Early municipal discussions and public engagement are essential to identifying Without planning, disruptions fall on local priorities and shaping transportation plans. roads and communities. • Ongoing regional coordination will continue through an advisory committee Map of Study Area Crossings of municipal, emergency services, and transportation partners from Maine and New Hampshire. • The TMP’s effectiveness relies on co-developed approaches and ongoing coordination. The Piscataqua River Bridge TMP is a study in partnership with: CONTACT US: Scan the QR code or use the link below to learn more. Jennifer Grant, MaineDOT • Email: jennifer.grant@maine.gov • Phone: (207) 624-3227 Susan Klasen, NHDOT https://arcg.is/1uCbCC3 • Email:susan.m.klasen@dot.nh.gov • Phone: (603) 271-1484