Minutes of 10/22/24 Sewer Commission meeting– via Zoom (Video Conference)/
Attendees:, Vice-Chair- Brett Ramsden, Clerk- Scott Dall, Member: Joe Hurley, DPW Director- Bill Bernard, Minutes Clerk- Jane Ranley (joined meeting at 6:20)
Absent: Chair- Mike Mackin, Eli Torres
Brett opened the meeting at 6:00 pm. and did a roll call of attendees. The Commission began the meeting by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT- Brett thanked Bill for getting the material together and being the temporary Sewer Business Manager- he is doing a great job. 
CURRENT BUSINESS - 
--Minutes of 7/30/24, 8/21/24, 8/27/24, and 9/17/24 – Brett asked to hold off voting on these until the next meeting. 
--Minutes of 9/24/24 – 
  Motion: Scott D.                                                                                                                               Second: Joe H.
  To accept the minutes of 9/24/24.                                          Roll Call Vote: Scott-aye, Joe-aye and Brett-aye. 

--Line Repairs-Bill reported that CTE/Pride Environmental looked at the work and noted 2 Gate Valves, that are needed to shut off the flow, were not working. He asked them for a price for the Gate Valves and also for a silt fence to prevent dirt from entering into the wetlands. The initial price was $66,770 and the revised price is $88,627 (to include Gate Valves and silt fencing). Bill noted the Gate Valves are about 20 years old. Brett asked if every station has these valves and Bill replied the major ones do, including Dana Street which will be the next project. Brett suggested having CTE test the Gate Valves at Dana St. The Commission discussed the revised quote and agreed to exercise the valves occasionally to prolong life. Brett asked about the pumping out of the wet wells. Bill replied the 3 major stations will be pumped every year and smaller stations as needed. Also Robert (CTE) suggested draining/cleaning the wells at Francis St. and West St., which Bill will schedule. He will also add more of the scheduled maintenance tasks when they go out to bid next time so it would be in the contract. 
Motion: Scott D.                                                                                                                                 Second: Joe H.
To accept the additional bid for the Mass 1 repairs.              Roll Call Vote: Scott-aye, Joe-aye and Brett-aye. 

DPW Director Updates
--Business manager position and Assistant to the Business Manager Position - Bill reported that they have not been able to obtain references for the candidate they discussed at the last meeting, so that will not work out. He added that Paula Bertram came in last week to help him go through a large pile of paperwork. Also he talked to the Interim Town Manager about giving the DPW Executive Assistant a few hours to enter invoices into the system for payment. Joe suggested looking at hiring for the Assistant position to handle some of the paperwork.  Bill agreed and noted that they had some good candidates for the Assistant position. The Commission discussed and agreed to focus on hiring for the Assistant position now. Brett asked about the next quarterly billing and Bill replied Paula will be helping him to get it out at the end of the month. 
--Manhole Repair IFB- Bill noted the bid is opening tomorrow and he is hoping for some good bids. 
--Update on Special Town Meeting Articles- Bill reported that FY24 is still not closed and it would be too late to submit articles for the November town meeting. They will add it to the May 2025 Town Meeting. 
Future agenda items- Updates on hiring Business manager, quarterly billing, line repairs, acceptance of minutes for past meetings.  Bill added he has a Change of Use that will need to be voted on at the next meeting. 
PUBLIC COMMENT – Brett asked for a vote to skip the 12/24/24 meeting.
Motion: Joe H.                                                                                                                             Second: Scott D.
To skip the Christmas Eve Meeting on 12/24/24.                Roll Call Vote: Scott-aye, Joe-aye and Brett-aye. 

UPCOMING SCHEDULED SEWER COMMISSION ACTIVITIES:
November 5, 2024 @ 7pm – Regular Meeting, In-Person/Hybrid @ DPW Conference room
November 19, 2024 @ 6pm – Regular Meeting, Zoom Participation
December 10, 2024 @ 7pm – Regular Meeting, In-Person/Hybrid @ DPW Conference room 
December 24, 2024 – No meeting. 

Motion: Scott D.                                                                                                                                    Second: Joe H.
To adjourn at 6:33pm                                                                   Roll Call Vote: Scott-aye, Joe-aye and Brett-aye.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane L. Ranley
Minutes Clerk