Water & Sewer Board Meeting

January 20, 2000

The following minutes are available on-line as a service and are not the official record due to changes in formatting for the Internet. The minutes may have attachments that are not included here in this format. The official, complete paper copy can be viewed during regular office hours, Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Office of the Town Clerk, 260 Commercial St. Provincetown, MA 02657.

 

In Attendance:                                                                         Absent:

 

Custodio Silva, Jr. Chairman                                                  Giovanni (John) Cicero unexcused                

James Buckingham

Michael Fernandes

David Perry

Craig Wiegand, Water Superintendent

Kathie Meads, Water Secretary

Gary Palmer

David Guertin  (1:15 p.m.)

 

PUBLIC STATEMENTS:

 

Custodio Silva opened the meeting at 1:05 p.m. and asked for any public statements.

Whalewatch Drive Approval by Truro:

Gary Palmer from the Town of Truro Board of Health informed the Board that Mr. Papetsas had been before the Truro Board of Health and Truro Board of Selectmen seeking approval for a water service application on Whalewatch Drive and had been approved. The Water & Sewer Board will probably be seeing that application shortly. This is the second lot that Truro has approved on Whalewatch Drive. Mr. Palmer asked if it was possible for them to plumb the house with both well water and town water? Craig Wiegand responded that he had no objection as long as all State Regulations and Codes for crossconnections were followed and protective devices were installed. Craig further noted to Gary Palmer that this approval by Truro goes against the terms of Memorandum #24.

 

McGuire/Thomas Property Open Space Funding:

Gary Palmer further informed the Board that Truro, although they did not object to the purchase of the McGuire and Thomas properties by Provincetown, would not be a partner in this deal. He went on to say that he would personally advocate for the purchase, however this is Provincetown’s show. Truro can’t obtain the land as an open space purchase with the intention of raising a structure.

 

Michael Fernandes Re-appointment to the Board:

 

Michael Fernandes stated to the Board that he has been reappointed to the Board for his second term as his first appointment ran out the end of January and he was recently sworn in again. Thus the newest member of the Board has now more been appointed for more terms than any of our other members. He was congratulated on this feat.

 

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

 

Custodio complimented Michael on the excellent job he did on the last meeting’s minutes and Kathie thanked him for filling in for her during her vacation. A MOTION to approve the minutes as written was made by Jim Buckingham and seconded by David Perry. Vote  in favor of approving the minutes 4-0.

 

UPDATE BY THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT:

 

Daley Wellfield (South Hollow) Test Wells and Pump:

 

Craig informed the Board that the monitoring wells had been dug at the Daley Wellfield. The drilling descended to approximately 154 feet before the water turned brackish; at 180 feet they encountered saltwater. This is about what had been suspected before the project began. If the pumps run at 650 – 700 gallons per minute, the wellfield is maximized. This is a tentative conclusion on Craig’s part until the official results are reported. However, he feels this is an accurate assumption.  The pump casing at the wellfield was ruined when the well screen began to fail and sand was allowed to enter the pump. Although the well has been repaired, the damage to the pump remains.. It will be costly to repair and rebuild this present pump and perhaps it is more prudent to wait until the wellfield evaluation results. At that time, it can be decided whether or not it makes more sense to go to submersible wells and abandon the vacuum well system partially or completely. Jim Buckingham asked if we have the money to deal with the wells and the pump situation. Craig affirmed that we have the money but are awaiting the engineers’ final report to determine the cost effectiveness of converting to submersible wells. Jim added that this would be the time of year to get this accomplished rather than in the peak season.

 

Craig has been in touch with Com/Electric regarding an energy conservation program which the Com/Electric representative says could possibly be funded in part, if not all, by Com/Electric. They might even pay for part of the pump repair or replacement with smaller pumps if that is more energy efficient. Craig told the Board that he needs to sit down and go over the project with our engineers first and obtain more information which he hopes to have for the Water & Sewer Board by their next meeting

.

Sateriale – Prince of Whales:

David Perry asked Craig what had happened with the Fred Sateriale situation in North Truro at the Prince of Whales complex. Craig explained that the Department had been out there just before they closed and that the property was still leaking. Young Fred explained that they would be fixing any leaks shortly after they closed. Craig informed them that the water would not be turned on in the spring until all leaks were fixed or the line was replaced. A letter was sent to Mr. Sateriale.  It was the consensus of the Board that no abatement should be granted as this is not fair to people who do fix their leaks in a timely fashion. Gary Palmer offered that Truro would not renew the license if the leaks have not been fixed by next spring.

 

PENDING WATER APPLICATIONS:

 

Custodio asked if there were any pending applications. Kathie reported that Mr. McCabe had filed an application for a single family home on Beach Point but was willing to wait until the next meeting for any action to be taken.

 

 

UPDATE ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT JOINT MEETING:

 

Custodio Silva opened the discussion by reviewing his observations from the Growth Management meeting held on January 4th with the Planning Board and Board of Health. He repeated that Keith Bergman had stated that the Water & Sewer Board had no place in the zoning bylaw written for growth management.  Custodio’s statement prompted some discussion among the Board’s members as to just what the Water & Sewer Board’s role in this process really is.

Custodio continued with his observation that he finds it strange that the whole growth management bylaw is being spearheaded by the concerns for enough potable water to go around and the Water & Sewer Board is not invited to the next meeting nor are they allowed a vote on the issue.  He feels that the Water & Sewer Board and the Department in general has done a good job on the issue of  water resources and unaccounted for water and we should build on that for the future.

 

Jim Buckingham and Michael Fernandes entered into some further discussion about the role of the Water & Sewer Board in these matters. The consensus of the Board was that it is the responsibility of the Board to ensure an adequate supply of water for its customers and, to the extent that growth is a factor in ensuring the future water supply, the Water & Sewer Board is charged with making determinations on the limitations of the system and informing the Town of those limits.  After some further discussion about the number of permits available for affordable housing versus single family or duplex building permits needing more consideration, the Board agreed that they should make a mission statement of their position to the Growth Management Bylaw drafters. There was some strong sentiment regarding the priority given to affordable housing permits seeming to have an unbalanced advantage over the building of a single family or duplex home under this new bylaw structure. The bylaw quota is based on a gallon equivalent per growth management permit. The Board felt strongly that they should make a statement in support of the lower gallon allowance as it would be reflected in permit allocations as stated by David Perry and supported by Michael Fernandes.

 

The Board further agreed after comments and comparisons of some of the current usage figures that single family and duplex housing does not create the problem in water supply demand that affordable housing in large density projects and expansion of use especially during the peak season does on the system during the critical summer months. Single family and duplex houses are a consistent year round use as is not the case with other uses.

 

The Board agreed that their focus should be on better defining the limitations of our current system and working for the development of new water supply sources. Craig assured them that the steps the Department is now taking through the MEPA process and the modeling project are working toward that objective. He will hopefully be able to give the Board further information on the limits of the system and the costs to improve, rehabilitate and expand when these studies are completed.

 

Jim Buckingham stated that we need to develop stronger incentives for conservation through increased peak period rates and more accountability on the part of consumers. Craig was asked to define at what daily pumping rate the system was really “screaming” and on the edge of collapse. Craig defined that number as 1.2 MGD.

 

Michael Fernandes furthered the discussion on the growth management bylaw proposal by saying that he did not feel that there was much real difference between 23 or 15 permits but this is an opportunity for the Board to make a strong statement on water supply by suggesting a reduction from 23 permits down to an amount that represents the lowest possible gallonage increase without saying no altogether.

 

Discussion continued on the merits of reducing the permits from the current 23 to a lower number with the result of a motion being made to reduce the number to 10 permits by Michael Fernandes. MOTION: I move the Water & Sewer Board direct staff to draft a position statement to the Planning Board which states our belief that the growth management bylaw should reduce the annual permits to the gallon equivalent of 10 permits. The motion was seconded by David Perry.

VOTE  in favor of the motion 4-0.

 

Custodio will review the position statement letter before it is sent.

 

Michael Fernandes summarized his view of the Board’s priorities as follows:

1.     Educate ourselves on our legal mandate and seek legal advice on this from Town Counsel.

2.     Complete an assessment of our water system – its needs, problems, and issues (including fees)

3.     Out of that process develop corresponding regulations which support those findings.

 

David Guertin informed the Board that he and Keith are currently working on peak period pricing structures for our new water rates and will have something out shortly.

 

The current water rates expire on 3/14/2000.

 

Custodio added that the Finance Committee has not scheduled the Water Enterprise budget hearing yet so he is not sure if the Board of Selectmen will be reviewing our budget on January 25th as originally scheduled.

 

Kathie asked if the Board would consider moving the meeting time to 2:00 p.m. as the Seniors use this room for exercising from 1:00 to 2:00 each day. Downstairs we could use the room at 1:00 if they are not showing a movie. The Board decided to keep the time at 1:00 p.m  and use downstairs if possible on Mondays.

 

MOTION to adjourn the meeting by Michael Fernandes at 2:30 p.m. Seconded by Jim Buckingham. Vote  in favor 4-0.

 

Next Meeting scheduled for Monday, February 7, 2000.