===OCR macOS Vision===
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reminded all that per the commission's vote of 4/28/20 regarding the Irrigation Meter Policy, the Implementation date for
the Irrigation Meters to be upgraded to be remotely read has been moved out to 9/1/20 (originally was 7/1/20). Barb added
that she has sent out invoices with the $50 fee to participate in the Irrigation Meter credit program and they are due by
6/4/20 in order to receive irrigation credits. Dave announced that the Town Caucus was cancelled, and Town Election will
be June 20th.
PUBLIC COMMENT-Jack said he was contacted by a resident on 1564 Mass Ave. concerning a hardship and asked to
have the discussion added to the next meeting.
APPOINTMENTS -
Jamie Rheault, Whitman & Bingham - 57 & 63 Cross Road Sewer Service Area (SSA) status - Jamie, the engineer
on the project, explained that his client wants to put in houses at 57 & 63 Cross Road and connect to sewer. They do not
have the plans as of yet, but they will be within 150 feet from the road. Barb noted that the properties had not been
charged a betterment when the sewer went in and will need to pay a privilege fee of $13,997.47. Carl noted that they can
connect as long as the house does not cross over the SSA boundary. Dave suggested voting to allow it, but that the
applicant would need to come back with plans in order to get final approval.
Motion: Carl L.
Second: Mike N.
That 57 & 63 Cross Road are in the Sewer Service Area (SSA) and shall be allowed to tie in upon approval of a
proper application.
Roll Call Vote: Mike-aye, Carl-aye, Brett-aye and Dave-aye.
CURRENT BUSINESS -
RFP status-Station Operations & Maintenance- The Commission discussed the comments noted on the O&M RFP draft
by the Town Counsel and Town Manager. They also discussed how to incorporate the changes into the draft and whether
to have another conversation with Town Counsel to ask for help in clarifying language. The Commission agreed to have
Barb and Jack talk to Town Counsel. Jack added that it is more important to get it right and if it takes a couple extra
weeks, Al Packard (Empey) is able to stay on.
RFP for Generator Maintenance Discussion- The Commission discussed the Generator RFP and whether it is
necessary to do a full RFP since they just need a vendor to do 2 scheduled maintenance per year plus provide emergency
service and the proposed cost will not be great enough to require a formal bid process. Commission agreed to solicit 3
quotes and to try and keep it around the budgeted amount of $11k with repairs. They also agreed to put it under the DPW
with an agreed upon scope and agreed upon level of maintenance and frequency of once per year.
SWSS termination of Contract update -The Commission had received a draft of the notice of default for SWSS from
Town Counsel, who had noted that litigation must be authorized by the Board of Selectmen. Dave said he would want to
discuss it in an Executive Session, but Barb noted that Town Counsel did not believe that it qualified for Executive Session
at this time. Commission agreed that they had no issue with the draft notice. Barb will talk to Counsel again during counsel
hours and advise that it can be sent. The Commission discussed recovering losses for costs incurred by SWSS's breach
and will consult Counsel regarding next steps.
FY21 Budget - Barb noted that the budget was presented to FinCom. The 10% rate increase will be effective 7/1/20,
reflected in the October billing. The current rate is $115 per 1000 cubic foot(cf) and will go to $126.50/1000cf, and the
minimum charge will increase from $97.20 to $107. Barb added that the warrant article for the Capital Reserve Transfer
that was originally voted on by the Commission was changed after speaking with the Town Manager, due to the
Commission's most recent approval of the budget. With the Commission's approval of the FY21 budget as presented to
the FinCom, the Capital Reserve amount, originally $29,000, now shows as $30,000 on the current budget, and that is the
amount that will appear on the warrant. Carl thanked Dave and Barb for their good job in handling the budget presentation.
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data and will not have to go back to swss. Bard said she would make own counsel aware that swo owes data. Cart
added that W&C is proceeding, and the next milestone is to have an interim meeting in June. Carl also asked W&C to
look at the manhole data in the major areas of concern. Barb will confirm w/W&C to attend the 6/9 meeting
Discussion about Re-elections due to Covid-19 - Dave noted that the Town Caucus was cancelled, and suggested
Commission candidates could do a sticker campaign. The Town Election will be 6/20. Barb added that, the town clerk had
concerns about using stickers and suggested a postcard campaign, to request write-ins on the ballot. Dave will work on it.
Minutes of 4/23/20 & 4/28/20
Motion: Carl L.
To accept the minutes for 4/23/20 & 4/28/20
Second: Mike N.
Roll Call Vote: Mike-aye, Carl-aye, Brett-aye and Dave-aye.
Brett asked to have meetings at 5pm and all agreed. Barb said the next meeting will be 5/26 at 5pm via Zoom and was
asked to use the 2nd Zoom number, so they do not conflict with the BOS meeting.
Business Manager Report - Barb reported that she is working on the Q4 bills, to be mailed asap. Invoices- W&C-
$883.26 and Mead Talerman & Costa - $1225.02 (for 1170 Mass Ave, SWSS and the RFP) were approved. Carl
cautioned that they need to be careful with legal costs as they will add up to $10k soon. Barb reported that there are no
updates from Leominster and some Grease Trap monthly logs are missing, due to restaurant closures. She added that
the Meter import project is being held up due to issues with entering ids into Munis and would like to get a sub-contractor
to help enter the meter ids in FY21. The Commission discussed issue and Dave suggested presenting the issue to
Heather.
Member Agenda Inputs for Future Meetings - 5/26 Meeting- 1564 Mass Ave. hardship and 1170 Mass Ave Betterment,
6/9 Meeting- Woodward & Curran interim meeting.
Public Comment - Carl said it was a productive meeting. Dave asked everyone to be safe.
Motion: Mike N
To adjourn at 5:28pm
Second: Brett R.
Vote: Unanimous
Handouts:
SSA Map for 57 & 63 Cross Road
REP Draft for FY21 Pump Station O&M with comments from Counsel and Town Manager