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 and press.
Call to
Order
Mr. Sinaiko called the meeting to order at 3:02
p.m.
Public Hearing on a Minimum Sewer
Bill
Mr. Sinaiko opened the hearing by explaining that because one of the three options included in the public notice, namely, the graduated rate, had been determined to be contrary to state law, the hearing would focus on the two remaining options: the flat rate and the single rate. Several members of the public had questions to which the Board and staff responded. After Mr. Sinaiko closed the hearing to input from the public, Mr. Knight moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to adopt a flat rate of $75 for residential properties and $150 for nonresidential properties. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Public Hearing on Amendments to the
Sewer Regulations
Mr. Sinaiko read the notice and opened the hearing to input from the public. Mr. Guertin explained that the regulation changes will only affect properties that are connected to the sewer and that have a change of use that creates surplus Title 5 gallons. The proposed amendments will establish a hierarchy by which the Water and Sewer Board, acting in conjunction with the Board of Selectmen, can decide how to assign those surplus gallons, subject, of course, to system hydraulics. Mr. Guertin further explained that there would be no impact on taxpayers or on existing users who do not change the use of their property. After responding to questions from the public, Mr. Sinaiko closed the hearing to input from the public. Some members of the Board expressed concern about how the “sewer bank,” as it is being called, would actually function. Mr. Guertin commented that while staff shared many of those same concerns, this should be viewed as an evolutionary process. He also added that the Board of Health will be a primary force in helping the other two boards to prioritize needs. Mr. Sinaiko then moved, seconded by Mr. Knight, to amend the sewer regulations as advertised. After some discussion, the Board voted 4-0 to amend the sewer regulations as advertised.
Flow Revisions
Mr. Faris presented flow revisions for the following properties:
|
Map & Parcel |
Address |
Orig Flow |
Rev Flow |
Net Chg |
Final Betterment 1-15-04 |
Revised Total Betterment |
Net Increase (Decrease) |
Reason for Change |
|
15-1-006-0-008 |
535 Commercial St. #8 |
220 |
440 |
220 |
$7,409.60 |
$14,819.20 |
$7,409.60 |
Revision to correct bedroom count
from two to four |
|
11-3-000 |
1 MacMillan Wharf |
4500 |
3790 |
(710) |
$151,560.00 |
$127,647.20 |
($23,912.80) |
To account for flow billed directly
to Whydah Museum. |
|
12-1-127 |
356 Commercial St. |
3000 |
1500 |
(1500) |
$101,040.00 |
$50,520.00 |
($50,520.00) |
Revision of gallons for public
bathrooms to reflect actual usage |
Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Ms. Lord, to approve the flow revisions. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Sewer Use Credits
Mr. Faris presented the following properties whose owners had paid in full their outstanding betterment balances and who, in accordance with the September 19, 2005 vote of the Board of Selectmen, qualified for a sewer use credit equal to 5% of the betterment balance paid:
|
Assessors' Map |
Property Addr |
Amount of Credit |
|
11-3-050 |
246
COMMERCIAL ST |
$464.78 |
|
12-1-111 |
7 JOHNSON
ST |
$526.47 |
|
12-2-004 |
419
COMMERCIAL ST |
$649.07 |
Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Mr. Knight, to grant the sewer use credits. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Supplemental Sewer Surcharge
Assessment
It was explained that Town Counsel had pointed out that the assessment order the Board approved at its September28 was not correct as to form. Mr. Faris therefore presented the Board with a revised order and notice assessing sewer surcharges on the following red dot delay properties who have agreed to connect.
|
Property Address |
|
29 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
67 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
328 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
357 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
521 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
538 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
627 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
649 COMMERCIAL ST |
|
4 DYER ST |
|
185 COMMERCIAL ST |
Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Ms. Lord, to issue an order and notice assessing the said properties. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Fall Town Meeting Warrant
Mr. Guertin briefly reviewed with the Board the warrant articles for the upcoming fall Special Town Meeting, in particular Article 1, which would authorize borrowing for expansion and optimization of the of the sewer system. After a brief discussion, Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Mr. Knight, to support Article 1. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0.
Laundromat Update
Mr. Guertin reported on a meeting staff had had with Mr. Charles Silva and his representative regarding the proposed laundromat. Mr. Guertin explained that it is staff’s assessment that Mr. Silva’s proposal fully conforms to the RFP and suggested that the logical next step might be for the Board to direct staff to prepare a draft sewer connection permit. Such a vote, he pointed out, would allow staff (1) to engage Metcalf & Eddy for conceptual designs and cost considerations, (2) to open a dialogue with DEP on permitting requirements, and (3) to share information with other Town committees. Mr. Knight moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to direct staff to prepare a draft sewer connection permit for the laundromat, such permit to include a review of the financial impact of the cost of this connection both as a stand-alone connection and as part of a shared connection involving other public uses in the same general vicinity. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Minutes
Mr. Richter moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 28. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Sinaiko moved, seconded by Ms. Lord, 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,
_________________________
Anne
Lord, Clerk pro tempore