May 16, 2007
A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order at 6:30 pm by Chairperson Richard Fournier. Commissioners present were Lucien Langlois and Paul Poulin. Absent from the meeting was Robert Delisle and ex-officio member Mayor Robert Danderson. Also present for this meeting was Superintendent Viens and Debbie Baillargeon.
There were no Public or Board comments.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Minutes of April 18, 2007.
Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated May 11, 2007, Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:
1. Superintendent Viens informed the Board that Berlin Water Works had made this year’s installment payment for the M & M Garage at 46 Willow Street. The payment was sent directly to the mortgage company. The payment for this year was less the amount paid by Berlin Water Works for property taxes due at the time of the property transfer.
2. Water Week was successful; the Ammonoosuc Treatment Plant had several school bus tours and few members of the public it was a good turn out approximately 175 people toured the plant.
3. Staff had a safety meeting concerning construction safety after the temporary employees were hired.
4. Berlin Water Works had two injuries this past month; one was a back injury that involved loss time, the employee was moving a table downstairs and twisted his back the second was an employee who reported numbness in his fingers, he has since consulted with a doctor.
5. Superintendent distributed the chemical usage report for the Boards review. Commissioner Poulin asked why the polymer numbers were higher; the Superintendent explained that in the spring time the raw water quality is not as clean.
6. Berlin Water Works has hired some temporary employees: Jay Grenier, Claude Frenette and Roger Gagnon. Rene Duchesne (a temp employee) has left the Berlin Water Works for other employment. The two college students will be starting work next week.
7. Superintendent Viens mentioned the letter from Congressman Hodes stating that he will continue to work on funding for the Berlin Water Works in the next Fiscal Year.
8. Berlin Water Works received information from NH DES regarding water shed protection. The manual has general rules and specific rules for each of the communities. Berlin has a section on Godfrey Dam. Berlin is fortunate because the water source is located in White Mountain National Forest which is a protected area.
9. Superintendent Viens stated that he had good news for the Board, the Schools were tested for lead and copper and all the tests passed. Chairperson Fournier asked why there was a difference this time, Superintendent Viens stated that Steve Lefebvre had contacted the schools and arranged with the janitors to do the testing at 10:00 pm in the evening so that the water was sitting for only seven hours. The previous test was done overnight and the water was sitting in the pipes for longer than the recommended period of six to ten hours maximum. Superintendent Viens will contact Marion Huntley, Business Administrator for the School
Department to let her know the results. The Board also asked that the Superintendent write a letter to John Moulis, the Superintendent of Schools stating the test results.
10. Berlin Water Works hired A & D Instrumentation to reprogram the Lancaster Water Tank and the Ammonoosuc Water Tank, they no longer require the on call person to interface with the program every evening and on weekends, it is all automatic. On a similar note, the Superintendent stated that there may be an upgrade to the computer system that is presently used for the SCADA system. The history of the present computers involved the purchase of five Gateway computers which had problems and were replaced with five Dell computers; the current system operates on the NT system which is not efficient any longer. The staff is reviewing options for the
replacement which may involve only three computers rather than the five presently in the system.
11. Berlin Water Works is going to flush the Godfrey Dam waste gates, there is work to be done on the gates, and lowering the water level will make the work more feasible. Superintendent suggested leaving the present work staff on forced account work and to hire an outside agency to repair the gates.
It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to accept the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated May 11, 2007.
The Board briefly discussed the cashiers report and the ten month expenditure report. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to accept the Cashier’s Report for the month of April, 2007 and the ten month expenditure report.
Old Business:
a. Federal Bureau of Prisons – Superintendent Viens informed the Board that according to the news release, a contract has been awarded to build the prison and the land has been acquired. He called Risso Associates as they are the engineers for the site preparation; drainage, sewer and water and Larry Sayles in Washington who has recently been replaced on the project, he gave the Superintendent the name of the person taking his place and her phone number as well has her boss’s number but the Superintendent has not received any further information.
b. T-Buck Contract – suit update –The case settlement agreement has been signed by all parties and the Berlin Water Works has submitted the settlement payment. On legal issues it was noted that for the record Attorney Michalik’s office building burned down on April 21, 2007 and he lost all electronic and paper files of Berlin Water Works history dating back to the time when Jim Burns was the attorney for the Berlin Water Works. Superintendent Viens stated that he had written to Attorney Michalik stating some of the outstanding issues so he can organize and discuss a path forward to archive any information.
c. Jericho Lake/State RV Park & Godfrey Raw Water Transmission Line Status: – There has been no change since the last Board meeting.
d. Discuss – Berlin Water Works contract Services (Fecteau & Arsenault) and NHCTC – Equipment Maintenance /Training Program Status: The front end loader has been completed and returned to the Berlin Water Works.
e. Request to NHDES RE: <10,000 Population Waiver: The Superintendent has written a letter to Richard Skarinka of NH DES but has not heard any response yet.
f. 55 Willow Street – Proposed Improvement Project – Entry/Stair-Status: The project is nearing completion..
g. Review Large hammer/Excavator Rental/Lease -- Superintendent Viens stated that Berlin Water Works had paid the $17,000 lease payment and the $1,000 mobilization and demobilization. The work is completed on Howard Street, the crew is presently working on Pine Island Avenue, and the next scheduled areas pending time left with contract will be Viking Street and Norway Street by Iceland Street. The Staff has identified these streets as high bottom areas.
h. Review 3rd budget draft – 10 month completed – The Board briefly discussed the budget and agreed to hold the Public Hearing for the Budget Hearing on May 30, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Fournier asked the staff to prepare handouts for the public at the hearing.
i. City Reconnection Fees: The Board discussed the request by the Mayor at the last meeting to reimburse the City Welfare Department for reconnection fees paid by the City for customers who were shut off for non-payment. The Board asked the Superintendent to contact the City Welfare Department for a request in writing.
j. Isaacson – proposed Hydrant installation – Status: The Board reviewed a draft letter and proposal for Isaacson Structural Steel regarding the installation of a hydrant near their facility. The Board authorized the Superintendent to send the letter and proposal for materials in the amount of $4,700 to Isaacson Structural Steel.
k. Ammonoosuc LP Generator Repairs $6,500 – Status: The Superintendent informed the Board that the parts to be replaced will be under warranty. The work is scheduled in the next couple of weeks possibly next week.
l. Review the revised 2007-2008 Berlin Water Works Hourly Charges & Special Services: The Board questioned the rate for the light tower and generator, the item has been corrected to read $145.00 weekly rental and $65.00 per day rental. The charge out rate to other customers has been adjusted to 10% mark up and all materials will be marked up at 35%. The Board agreed to the new rates.
m. Clean Power Development, LLC: The Board discussed several issues concerning the Androscoggin Water Treatment Facility building and land and decided that they must first meet with Attorney Michalik to discuss legal issues before making a decision for Clean Power Development, LLC.
There was no other old business at this time.
New Business:
a. Tearing buildings down: After a brief discussion it was decided by the Board that Berlin Water Works staff will not be available to tear buildings down as it is a liability issue and they do not want to compete with outside contractors. The Board asked the Superintendent to notify the Randall Trull, Fire Chief and Andre Caron, Housing Coordinator of their decision.
b. Hydrant Flushing Program: Superintendent Viens stated that the item was inadvertently put on the agenda as it is usually discussed in the spring. The staff has reviewed the flushing program and has determined that flushing in September is sufficient and it also coincides with the mandatory testing of TTHM’s and HAA5’s for the DES. Once the Water Cad model has determined the areas of stagnant water, certain areas may be flushed more than once a year.
c. Purchase Federal Surplus Portable Light Set - $2,500. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to purchase the Portable Light Set for $2,500.
d. BWW Equipment/Labor Fire Service: The Board decided to leave the policy as it now stands between city departments.
e. Wireless MESH Network – Police Dept.: After a brief discussion of the proposed changes to the to the communication system for the Berlin Police Department, the Board authorized the Superintendent to sign the agreement with the Police Department to use our sites for communication equipment.
f. Brookfield Power – request for Abatement – paid 5/1/07. The Board discussed the water bill and authorized the Superintendent to abate the assessment charge of $1,600 on the water bill as that is the procedure when a customer has a leak at their property. The Superintendent also informed the Board that he had been contacted by Brookfield Power to slip line the service line at their property with 4” HDPE. This work would eliminate the Third Street (Peavey Lane) building; it would also require a tap into the main line for the service. The Board authorized the Superintendent to discuss the estimate for the work with
Brookfield Power.
g. Employee reviews for July to be discussed in closed session.
h. Other and Communications:
1. David Poulin had approached the Berlin Water Works about the placement of his sign for H & R Block on Glen Avenue. The Board briefly discussed the issue and decided that it was an issue for the City as Berlin Water Works does not own the land.
2. Michael Diamond of 483 School Street asked the Board for an adjustment on his May Quarter Water Bill as he ran the water. The Board decided to abate the Assessment to $80.00 that would make his bill $388.38 for the May Quarter.
3. The Superintendent showed the Board a drawing prepared by Art York for the housing development on Wood Street. The Superintendent stated that he had spoken to two of the potential customers and they have agreed to a $3,500 connection fee to Berlin Water Works distribution system. Superintendent Viens also spoke to William Green the developer of the area and he would be willing to pay $3,500 up front to be reimbursed by the next customer building who builds in the development. The Board agreed to have the Superintendent go ahead with the extension of the water line on Wood Street.
There was no other new business at this time.
The Board agreed to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday June 13, 2007 @ 6:30 PM at their 55 Willow Street Conference Room.
There were no Public Comments.
It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to enter into the non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II (a) Personnel – Wages and – Grievance and RSA 91-A:2I(b-c) – Collective bargaining and consultation with legal counsel. By roll call vote, with all members voting in favor, the Board entered into the non-public session at 8:30PM. At about 8:45 PM by unanimous roll call vote, it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor that the Board returns to their regular public meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting. The meeting did so adjourn at 8:46 PM.
A True Record:
Paul Poulin, Acting Clerk of the Board
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