Town of Provincetown
Meeting of the Water & Sewer Board
Members present: Jonathan Sinaiko, Chair; Austin Knight, Anne
Lord; Sacha Richter
Members absent: None
Other attendees: DPW Staff David
Guertin, Dana Faris, and Ron Gamella.
Members of the public.
Call to
Order
Mr. Sinaiko called the meeting to order at 3:08
p.m.
Public Hearing – Sewer Connection
Surcharge Rates
Mr. Sinaiko read the published notice of the public hearing. There were no speakers, either in favor or opposed, and no letters from the public. After a brief discussion, Mr. Knight moved, seconded by Mr. Richter, to increase the sewer connection surcharge rate from $33.68 to $39.08. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Red Dot Delay Properties
There was some discussion of the recent letter that went out to owners of red dot delay properties. The Board instructed staff to contact DEP with respect to obtaining an opinion regarding the mandatory five-year deadline for red dot delay properties to connect to the sewer.
Update on Phase 2
Mr. Guertin reported to the Board that the Board of Selectmen has established an aggressive schedule for proceeding with Phase 2 planning, including a series of three meetings facilitated by John Goodrich.
Water Abatement
Mr. Vladimir Schuster, the owner of 3 Garfield Street, asked that the Board consider granting some relief for a water leak that occurred at his property that may have been occurred during the installation of a septic system at an abutting property. Mr. Guertin explained that the Town has no liability because an abutter moved Mr. Schuster’s water line without the owner’s permission. However, he did offer to help the property owner with a claim against the engineering firm involved. The Board took no action on the matter.
Laundromat Update
Mr. Guertin advised the Board that the Town had received one proposal for a laundromat to be located above the present Pennie’s Liquors at 68 Shank Painter Road, an area not currently served by the sewer but potentially under consideration as part of Phase 2. The building is grade level on the north side, has adequate loading, and is served by three-phase power. Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Ms. Lord, to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that a laundromat be considered an important component of Phase 2 planning. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Delinquent Phase 1 Properties
Mr. Faris presented the Board with a list of possible enforcement options with respect to those Phase 1 properties that are delinquent in connecting to the sewer. The Board instructed staff to contact DEP for guidance on enforcement and asked that staff forward this information to the Selectmen.
Delinquent Sewer Connection
Properties
Mr. Faris presented the Board with a list of properties that not yet connected to the sewer. With respect to those properties on which fines had not yet been imposed, Ms. Lord moved that the Board send a letter ordering them to connect within 21 days or risk the imposition of fines of $50/day. Mr. Sinaiko seconded the motion, and it carried by a vote of 4-0. With respect to those properties on which fines had already been imposed, Mr. Sinaiko moved to send a letter stating the amount of the fines, offering to abate the fines in full if the property owner connected to the sewer within 45 days of the date of the letter, and advising that no further delays would be tolerated. Mr. Richter seconded the motion, and it carried by a vote of 4-0.
PLOG
Mr. Guertin advised the Board that it is the Selectmen’s strong desire that the Board recommend Mr. Knight to be an alternate member of PLOG. Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Ms. Lord, that Mr. Knight accept the Selectmen’s recommendation. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Mr. Richter, to adjourn the meeting. The vote carried by a vote of 4-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
_________________________
Sacha
Richter, Clerk