All right. Um, >> open the meeting at 6 o'clock. Are we being recorded? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um, all right. We're a joint meeting with the water commission tonight. And then do we have to like do you know the
finance appointing committee? That's just part of our meeting. It's not a separate meeting, right, Dave? Or is it right here at number four? >> I just can't remember if we have to like >> Oh, close it and >> close it and open it. >> There's nothing in our bylaws that say
that it's closed and then >> I think we found >> There's nothing in our bylaws that say that it's a separate like meeting that we have to close this meeting and open that meeting. >> Okay. All right. So, I'm gonna Is Jackie on? There she is. Hi, Jackie. >> Hi. How you guys doing? Good.
>> How are you? >> Good. All right. So, um, looking at number one, examination of meeting minutes. We're going to table this until the next meeting. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I.
>> All right. And then um next up, our action items are um appointing Michaela Smith to the board of assessors. Um, so I would make a motion. Is there a term length, Dave?
Whatever the remainder is on Paul's term. >> The remainder of Paul's term. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Um is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I >> I
>> um and then appointment of um Kurin Chartran to the Conservation Commission um for the term July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? I >> I >> I
>> All right. Um, so first up, we've got our joint meeting with the water commissioners. Um, we have right and Pierce here. If you guys want to come on down, there's a couple chairs around. Just make yourselves comfortable up here. Um, one, two, three.
Need another chair. I can go to that. Are you right next to me? >> That feels I'll tell you what. I'm going to take this and I'm just going to shift
it over here. >> Okay. >> No one wants the hot seat. >> Where is the hot seat? So know for future reference. Okay. >> All right. Um Jackie, so everyone is here around the table with us. I'm going
to let you lead because I know you've been working with the water department and right in Pierce. Um so I'll let you go ahead. >> Is this Bob that's on from Bay State? Is that who's Bob that's on? >> Well, those of you who are joining us,
will you introduce yourself so >> Oh. Oh, and there. >> No, I'm just online here. I don't know if that's >> Is Bob muted by any chance? >> He is. >> Okay. Unmute him in case. >> That is Are you expecting Bob from Bate?
>> Am I expecting him? Nope. But he's here. So >> Oh, that >> Oh, he's there. Okay, good. >> Is it Bob Watson? >> It just says No, >> I was just >> Yeah, I was just curious. A little dark
here at mom's house. Um, all right. So, yeah. I I mean, this would be me and Brad really. I think Brad, you know, we met right on all this stuff. Um, couple things just high level that I know these guys are wanting to get done. Um,
scattera project uh or let's just say the amendments number three and amendment number four are associated with the scattera project for and these were change control items. Is that correct you guys?
>> Yeah. If Hi, Jackie. If I can characterize Jim Papa, Demetrio Reich Pierce uh consult. >> Um item number three was uh work that was done in process to keep the project
going. We were able to save significant monies by for the town by um the electrical room becoming available to us. And we were able to move equipment from the filter floor, which was a a
Nema 4X um costly equipment, if you would, enclosures and equipment out there, and place it internal to a uh rack mounted unit in uh in the electrical room. And that allowed us to
save quite a bit of money. Um, additional savings for a uh temporary office uh where work was going to be done and modified in the um I believe in the uh
lab room slashoff didn't need to be done. Um so there was work done without an amendment but with verbal direction to go and complete this that is those items are highlighted in
amendment number three for the dollar values as of shown. Okay >> so uh Jim when how much money was saved? Let me ask you that. >> I'd have to go back. I'm sorry. I don't I'd have to go back to the specific
change order. Um, >> okay. So, when Brad and I spoke earlier in this work, by the way, for the boards, >> I could characterize this. I could characterize this uh change orders one through five only um with all the savings only
amounted to an additional $2,600 >> for change orders. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um Right. So the only thing look for the select board the primary thing is that we don't run out of funds in the SKA project, right? So you're telling me
that you know and I totally understand these things need to get done because these were done some time ago the work right? >> That's correct. >> Is that correct? Yes. >> And so we do need to approve these. Wait a minute. We do need to approve these
for sure. um because the work was already completed. >> Um amendments really should be brought forth to the board in the future. This is the >> old regime, >> right? When it happens. >> Yep. >> Now you're telling me though
>> before it happens. >> What's that? >> Before it happens. Fourth amendment before it happens for the board's approval. >> Correct. Right. Right. This was some of the old stuff still. >> Yes. Um, so the total on these two, if I
remember right, was around 42 grand. Is that right? >> Well, uh, let's just, if we could focus on amendment three, amendment three for work that was already done was $29,626. >> If we go to amendment four, amendment
four wasn't fully completed as of yet. Okay. We did some preliminary investigation. Um the previous uh I guess superintendent had asked us and uh had
the idea of moving the existing soda ash um and upgrading the equipment in the existing soda ash room to an adjacent chemical room that was a uh quite a bit smaller and said, "Hey, if we could move it there, have it constructed and then
swip swap over the chemicals, that would save us on uh significant dollars on temporary pumping from the contractor. That's the thought process. So I can't the contractor can't come up with a
number until Reich Pierce designs the changes and then we would present that change order request to the contractor Bayate and uh Bob and Wade Watson would put together a number and submit the
overall either cost data or cost savings associated with it. So, >> I mean, just to lay it out there, Jim, I mean, as we go forward, and we didn't do this in the past, but please, as we go forward, if we're going to talk about that we saved money, it would be great if we could say, well, how much money
did we save? >> And you know, and even if it's ballpark, right, to give us a sense for are we going to go over budget on the skater project or not, if all of this stuff can be done within the budget that we already have outlined, great, right?
because I it it's a constant moving thing. I could tell right from all these discussions. So I only ask you know the concern that we have is that let's make sure that we're still within budget because then if you go out of budget then we have to go back and get you know
go back and have another town meeting to get money. >> Understood. >> So um so my question really is you know how because we're talking to Kelly and I don't know if Kelly's on the phone. No. No. >> Okay. Kelly had said there was like
45,000 or some, you know, let's call it close to 50,000 left. >> Um, this is going to chew up a good portion of that. And if there's additional work that needs to be done, we need to know what it is. >> Yeah. I can't uh with regard to this
particular amendment, I can't give you a number from the contractor to sign. So, and I can't speak for them. Okay. So, um you know then that would you know what you need to know then and
you guys correct me if I'm wrong on the board. Um and Christina the next time we go to the town for funding for anything is going to be in December and we may not turn around and do it again until
February, March depending on what is urgent, >> right? >> And we're not doing anything. Uh Jackie, if you're talking about the December 9th special town meeting on that agenda is going to have anything to do with money that would be affecting our tax rate or
anything like that. >> So November, >> but I don't know. >> The last chance >> is the last Dave. >> Pardon? >> Well, well, I'm not saying that. Look, from what I can see, there's not a need
for us to ask for money out of free cash for this from the town. The water department would pay this. So, would that be still problem, Dave, or? >> Yes, because anything that requires potential
for the town to vote money, whether it's from the water department or anything else, puts offsetting our tax rate by do. So we want to have any money things >> okay >> by this November meeting. December shouldn't be money. >> Okay. So we're really look
>> they have the money already. >> Say that again. >> Are you operating under the assumption that the water department already has this money available? >> Yes. >> Okay. So then why I guess I'm just confused why it would need to be on a
warrant if the money is already there. Um, if it's above and beyond, it has to come out of a different bucket. Let's say it may have to come out of their reserve or it may have to come out. That's why I wanted Kelly on the phone.
>> Okay. So, >> they have they have, as I said before, they had 45,000 sitting in the skater project that could be used towards these two, right? To get them paid, right? So, we could just sign these amendments and get them paid. If there's further monies
that need to be allocated for the SCADA project, then we may have to go to the town is all I'm saying. >> Changes. >> Does that make sense? >> Not beyond this. >> You say these two, but I'm seeing there's three amendments.
>> We're only talking about three and four right now though, right? >> We're only talking about three and four. >> We're not talking about that. >> Not yet. >> Not yet. >> So, am I saying Mary? Um, I'm sorry, Papa. Papa Demetrio, am I safe in saying
I tried to call you mayors? I tried to. >> That's all right. >> Am I safe in >> Am I safe in saying that there's no foreseen more expenses on just the SCADA part of this on your side of the design?
>> We're really, really close to the to the end of the >> to the end on your design side of things. >> Yep. The only thing that we talked about in the last part of the meeting was that with the 29,000 I have funds for O and M. >> Correct.
>> Um I I said I may have uh underestimated some of the >> um budget that was allocated in here >> and I said if if if I'm coming up on um 80% of the B I'm just talking
amendment three now, >> right? If I'm coming up to 80 90% and I, you know, I'm going to need an extra 10 grand or something to finish, we said that I would let you know. Okay. >> Correct. >> Because I have to let them know. >> Right. Right. Right. Other than that, I
like I said, we're really really close. >> And the other um issue was I think with uh warranties on some of the software. >> Yes. >> But that's related to the contract >> and >> not my fees. >> Yeah. Not right pierce fees.
>> Correct. >> Because with this these >> go ahead, 600. So that puts us like right at what we have >> as of today in the water capital expense account. They have enough to cover that.
But I don't know I it's not I can't say that that's what you guys are going to use that for. I don't know if there's another assigned something that you plan to use the water capital expense for >> there. What Kelly told me is that there was enough money to cover this in what
remains in the skater project. >> Project. Yes. >> And that's where we'd take it. >> That's what I understood too. >> So I would you know I bottom line these two three and four you know I'm sorry I
didn't mean to say the word two the three and four amendments the work has already been completed. the bills need to get paid and the money is there to pay it. So, they're asking for approval on these two amendments. >> Okay.
>> So, the amount of money that will approven is the 29,600 >> and the >> and the 12 >> and the 12,980. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> So, that's the total amount >> 42
>> 42 42,000. >> Yeah. Total exactly >> $42,66 >> out of the 45,000 allocated >> that's available. >> We want to say that exact number because
otherwise we got to go back and do this again. Right. >> And you're putting math pressure on me. We just >> Yeah, I know. >> All right. So, do you want to go ahead and >> carry the one Yeah.
>> Where's your cell phone? Where's your calculator? >> You know, you know, >> you're a teacher. You should know this. >> All right. Are we making a motion? And then >> Okay. So, a motion to approve um amendments number three and four with
Wright and Pierce for the total $42,66. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor? I >> I >> What are we doing with amendment five? >> Yeah, we're already done with >> Well, let's talk about that. So, go
ahead, Jim. >> Yeah. So, uh there was this Thank you. Uh there was a separate study done by Wright Pierce. Um we were informed that and might correct me if I'm wrong that there were uh some uh voltage dips and power fluctuations
that were uh coming to the plant. uh a quick study was done um wasn't done under under the skater contract. It was done separately and uh they found some deficiencies in the um in the service
they call it the service feeder to the building from the utility pole all the way up through the woods up to the plant um that were causing some of the I for one of a better term voltage dips. >> Okay. >> Okay. So this is a problem a problem for
electrical equipment. >> It fries it. >> Yeah. So for example, what would happen is if you had a a voltage dip on a pump that's running that's horsepower rated, the current would go up and potentially fry the motor, trip the breakers, but you know that's what those protections
are in there. But it stresses the wires, it stresses the equipment, it stresses the breakers uh quite severely. So the proposal for amendment five uh we were asked to put together let me see if I can find it here
of it was at the road the utility put a transformer >> to take north road >> and then they ran a really long extension >> mile and mile and a half mile and a quarter something >> wow >> and it's not an extension
>> underground but >> for all intents and purposes it's an extension cord to the water treatment plant, >> right? >> And from there, that's how they power the plants. >> Okay. >> So, if you can imagine, you have a mile long extension cord and it's got power,
you're going to have fluctuations in your voltage. >> Yeah. >> And when it hits Jim's brand new equipment, Brad's pumps and the filters and everything, the that frequency of the of the voltage and electricity is
what causes wear and tear. >> Oh, no. Let me ask you when you're your your extension cord. Okay. Uh wasn't that calculated into when we were putting the equipment in
having sufficient power to get to that that equipment? >> Yeah. That that wasn't even on the table. I mean the equipment that's going in the the capacity to the facility is sufficient to run the equipment.
The capacity is there. It's just the um from what I understand it's it's at a higher vol. It's at a lower voltage. Okay. It's at a lower voltage and you have to use much much larger
>> conductors. Yeah. >> For the volt a bigger extension cord if you would to compensate for a voltage drop. >> We've had problems about this for years. >> Aware of this? >> Yeah. recently. I brought it up to their attention recently because we've had
problems for years >> with motors and and devices blowing up and we always thought it was lightning strikes. >> I'll give you an example, Mr. Cost that um at the time that the RFP came out and
at the time where uh we were putting together RFPs for the SKA project. >> Yeah. >> We were not aware at that time that there was an an electrical issue. >> So I I >> we've only
responsibility because you know if if it's coming to money there's ever should be responsible. Well, no. It was a designer who originally designed it. >> I dropped the wall. >> It's 20 years 20 years it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. Pierce didn't design this.
>> No, I know. But I It just >> actually I called Eversource. >> Yeah. >> And I explained the problems we were having. >> Okay. >> And the Eversource representative I was talking to said, "Well, that's kind of strange." He goes, "I would like to send
somebody out to take a look at the size wire that goes to your plant." He goes, "That transformer should be outside of that plant, not all the way down by the road." >> He says, "That's a a bad thing." He goes, "I'd like to send somebody out to
take a look at it." And they were already into their design. >> Yeah. When we started talking to Eversource, then Eversource came back and said, "Yes, this is a problem." >> That should have never been put together like that. And if it was, it should have had a bigger condo with bigger lines
going up there. >> But the the reason it would probably done like that 20 years ago was to save money. >> Probably. Yes. >> You could save a couple pennies by having a really long extension cord. then the problem hiring all the way to
the plant, >> but you're having problems with it today. >> Okay. If I could just for a second, if I remember right, this is one that you guys were trying to get a grant for um when the old supervisor was in place and then that got stopped because of all
that was going on. Is that correct? >> That is correct. And last round, we did not ask for that. The last round we left that one out. >> Correct. Correct. A question I have is that I'm concerned of even
attaching this to the skater project at all. >> Um it's like you're changing scope midstream, >> right? Um I I would agree with that. It doesn't have to be part of the SCADA project
>> because I don't think there's going to be any money left in the SCA project to do it. Correct. >> Thank you. And we're looking at another 40 >> 41 429. >> Well, is that the design phase or is that the design and build of this?
>> Uh, >> Jim, >> I know. >> Yeah. Oh, that's that's the design. That's both design and construction services. >> Okay. >> All the way through the construction. But again, this is quite a departure for
SCADA and it doesn't have to be part of the SCADA project. In fact, if there's any way to and this amendment can be withdrawn if you like or voted against, however you want to do it. Uh but if we could make that a separate project or
part of the ozone project to protect that expensive equipment, that might might make better sense. And I know weary discussion clear, right? >> I think it would be clearer if we did that. If we just >> you had Eversource come out. None of this responsibility is on Eversource.
>> I said it was to do with the design of the plan. >> Yeah. >> But so you're calling it you're calling it a an extension port and I think everybody would agree that like and I know that's not the real term, right? But that sounds like a temporary thing like there should be a permanent thing, right?
>> Right. Um, and if it's coming from if >> the Eversource stopped at the transformers because where those transformers are was our old treatment facility. So instead of building new transformers and putting new transformers from they were saying the cost and moving them up for the new
plant. I guess I wasn't here at the time. I wasn't anywhere. So, I guess they thought that it would be cheaper if they just did a trench, underground trench all the way to the plant and just put wires thinking that >> and and who put the who did the trench?
That was all part of their original project. >> They're meaning Eversource or their meaning of >> Yeah. The town of Bford in uh >> So when we were upgrading the plant was
a resource made aware. Well, they came the transformers should have been up at the plant. >> No one ever thought of it. I I actually just figured it out because I had another issue someplace else that had a similar issue and I the more I thought
about it and the more I heard Bernie tell me about how we having all these lightning strikes and I'm like we can't have lightning strikes cuz there's no lightning there's no storms that day and it wasn't making sense. And then when I talked to Mr. Mitchell from Eversource he goes, "Well, that don't sound right."
He goes, "Uh, I would like to send somebody up to look at that." He goes, "That's really not." So, h have they produced a plan to upgrade that? >> No. That's what this is. That's what this is. >> That's Well, no, not ever. That's us. This is
us >> because it's our It's just like you're a home and gone up. >> Well, yeah. It's just like you're a homeowner like me. I put electric underground from the pole to my house. It cost me $10,000. >> Correct. >> Yeah. It didn't cost Eversource a dime.
It cost me source is responsible for that wire coming from the pole >> tor meters at the transform. >> Yeah. If I may transform the transform. >> Yeah. If I can if I can direct your attention over here.
>> Yeah. >> So, uh this is utility. This is source right here. They're responsible for this is probably you have a meter and a socket. Yeah. >> Meter socket. It's a disconnect. This is Eversource here. All right. >> Yeah.
>> That's their scope of supply. This from here on that was all part of Tai Bon and and the town. Okay. So, so what they did was instead of high high voltage to a lower voltage
when you go to lower voltage being 480 now you have a larger conductor. You have larger conductors. >> Yeah. >> Because of the lower voltage. >> Yeah. >> And a larger conduit. >> Correct. >> What should have been done or what can
be done very likely is from here go complete high voltage put this transformer right outside the plant >> right >> and that's the service entrance to that becomes a service entrance. So so Eversource would be responsible for that
whole >> they will be but we have to build it. Right. You have to do it. >> We We have to build it and then Eversource gets the charges for the electricity again. >> I I mean I >> I understand. I just dealt with it
myself. >> You know, it's like a plan that was made to fail. >> Yeah. >> And basically that's exactly what it is. >> But we have to fix it now because we're going to >> Well, yeah. And and the thing about it is >> right now as long as the ozone is
offline, >> we're not drawing that extra power >> because the ozone. >> I'll let you go ahead. >> It's a big energy draw. >> Ozone for um you take air, the air that
we breathe, you hit it with electricity and you create ozone. So when you're making ozone as part of the treatment system, you're making a decent amount of ozone and the technology that went into the plant 20
years ago used a lot of electricity. And when the ozone was running, the air compressor that you need to get the air to the ozone system was running, that was a beast. uh your other pumps and other systems. It was it was a lot of
electricity being drawn through that. >> What was it? $8,000 $7,000 a month in electrical. >> I I can remember back in the day when we got the fair and the power lines along the poles going from pole to pole were on fire because of the draw.
>> Right. >> All right. So, I mean that taken into consideration. I mean these wires are underground. What do we know about the conditions of our wires? >> Do we need to know that to move forward? Sorry. >> Not not the condition of the wires. We
can assume they're >> mediocre. We don't know the actual condition. We haven't looked at it. Um >> but to for this project, >> yeah, >> it's it's a $300,000 price tag to bring the transformer
a mile and a quarter >> through the woods. uh to the plan. >> That's why I think it'd be better just to go ahead and make it a separate. >> So you're saying this 41,000 is for the engineering of this project and 300,000
is for the build. >> Am I hearing you correctly? >> So for amendment five just to be clear, >> right? Sorry. >> Yes. 41492 that is 27133 for design.
>> Yeah. and an additional 14296 for construction phase services. >> Okay. >> Meaning when it's being constructed, Right. Pierce provides constructing, >> but this work has not been done yet. >> Correct. >> No, this is Yeah. >> And so you're talking about tying this
in with the larger ozone project. >> Potentially. >> Potentially >> because it it doesn't really exist anywhere right now. Could >> it could be its own project. Uhhuh. >> You could attach it to the ozone. >> Is the Is the ozone project contingent
on this? >> No. >> No, >> no. The It's just It would make the plant run better and smoother and it has the potential to
decrease your long-term on andm costs because you won't be out your equipment as fast. >> Okay. What does that make? But >> I'm just trying to figure out a way to get Ever somebody. >> Be more than happy. I'd be more than
happy to have that conversation with them all. >> Some sometimes utilities like Eversource will have a a loan program. They're not they don't want to pay for it, >> but they will uh pay for the construction because they know they're
going to sell you electricity. Yeah. and they'll give you terms for seven, 10, however many years to pay back that capital cost of the construction. >> Interest loan, >> but >> I'm not sure what they might
is that something worth pursuing. >> I think every everything should be >> everything should be on the table. We all should pursue. >> So, but we don't need to vote on amendment five. No, three and four is the main ones that we were concerned about. >> Okay. So, this sounds like it needs to
be something on our your capital plan. >> So, you have a basic price tag for it. Sure. >> So, we need to add that, Jackie, to the capital improvement plan for water. >> Yep. >> So, it sounds like about a $350,000 price tag. >> Yep.
>> Okay. So, >> and and a question the question becomes, can we there were grants out there for this before. Are there grants out there for this now? >> The same grants are out there before. Are there today?
>> Okay. And would wouldr be the ones that would go after that or the county has to apply. We can't apply for the town. >> Can we get Liz to help us with that? >> Yeah, we we did put in an application for the electrical
two two cycles ago, right? And we we >> because we didn't do it this last time because we didn't have the authorization. We didn't talk with ice, >> right? >> And and if you need additional right pierce uh support when you're having discussions with Eversource, we can get
our electrical engineers in the convers conversation. Okay. >> That helps. >> Absolutely. because this is coming up as number five on the ska project. >> I think your recommendation to withdraw
that would change started. So >> you withdraw that >> change now and >> Oh, so you need to hear it for the record. >> Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Um great. Right. Pierce is recommending the withdrawal of uh
amendment number five for the change order for the electrical uh distribution fee to the plant. >> So move. Um a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> All right. >> Thank you, Dave. >> All right, Jackie. The next item is the um did we cover this already? The SCADA and control system upgrades or >> well the ozone project itself I think
these guys can explain it but I this is the one that is most concerning because it's part of the whole things that we have to do for the DPU D. Is it DPU or D guys? >> D.
>> Okay D. Um, it's on the list and if we don't do something, show some activity, it could just bode very badly for us. >> So, do you guys want to go through what your thoughts are on how we could fund this and get it going at least?
>> This is to change, which >> are you talking about control? So, I'm I don't I feel like we're talking about two different things, Jackie. I was looking at B um under new business, the water treatment plants. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. about ozone number letter E.
>> Yeah, but let's go back. I'm sorry I didn't see it because I don't have a print out, but I have it on my desktop. So, let's go back to B. Water treatment plants. >> I think we already talked about that. >> Um, >> we're looking at C. We're looking at um
>> Y, let's talk about that. The D current order, consent order. >> The current order update. >> Yep. >> Consent. Is that a mistake? Yeah, >> let me just put those bad boys on. >> Excuse me. Excuse me, Cara. >> Yes, go ahead.
>> Um I I guess it was on the previous agenda. The one that was sitting on the chair doesn't have it, but there was a um there was a an additional change order >> that was number seven that was on uh up
for discussion. >> Okay. >> What is that? Uh that's the one the one that we reviewed last month. Uh that provides additional safety. Uh says during an on-site meeting. I I'll I'll write I'll read the rationale from the
change order. During an on-site meeting uh 114204 contractor expressively like the engineer to update the motor control schematics. The modification of the controls uh and the combined estop circuit. The modification of controls
provide simplicity, ease of use and operation for remote uh remote manual control down near the equipment and the uh automatic PLC control. The estop configuration provides enhanced safety
from category 0 to one with either a coast to stop or a program dell to prevent potential water hammer. It's a recommendation of the engineer to use single channel lighted um and so on and so forth. Uh but this also uh was was
part of a meeting that um the previous superintendent had asked us to put together a uh a change order for this um or make a change. So Roy Pierce did some redesign work um included in in the
change order and um uh Bay State uh contractors uh had put together because they have to see the design changes uh put together a change order for an additional uh $28,000.
$28,218.51. And that would take the uh contract substantial completion out from March 11th to April 10th of 2026. So I mean this doesn't have to happen. It can happen. It it provides enhanced
safety uh and ease of operation for the operators. >> Okay. So this is regarding SCADA again. >> Yep. >> And it's an extra 28,000. >> Yep. that and that 28 would be the
contractor's cost, right? Pierces. >> I mean, it sounds like we don't have any more money in STA right now. We about $3,000 left in SKA. >> Okay. >> But that was for the engineering, wasn't it? >> Yeah, that's all the engineering. This is this is the actual >> Right. So, construction cost. >> The actual construction cost. So, where
was the loan for the construction cost >> because we had two separate, right? >> Two separate loans, >> I thought. or at least they were broken out differently. >> I'm not sure how it was broken out. >> So the 28 plus is the engineering.
>> No, no, that's the that's the cost to implement. >> This is the actual contractor. Yep. >> For one of the other change orders. Yes. >> We've already paid for the engineering of this change. >> Yes. As part of that amendment number
think is part of that amendment number three. >> Number three. Yes. Has the work been done? >> No, >> the engineering's been done, Jackie. But to the chain, but not the construction. >> Yeah.
>> So, when all said and done, we're looking at a half a million. >> Um, it brings the contract if it brings the total contract price. The original contract in I can give you this if you want. The original contract correct
>> was 912 373, >> right? >> And with change orders 1 through um change orders 1 through five bring an exe uh an additional 2660. I'm not
counting the change if that's okay. Right. Um this change order number seven adds an additional 28218 and it brings a total contract uh price incorporating this change order to 243
I'm sorry 943251 and 5083 so it's like 31,000 more right >> approximately Roughly. >> Yeah, roughly. >> Yeah, I could submit this.
>> Um, sure. Yes. So, Jackie, what do you have more information on how the SCADA project is getting paid? I know you've been you've done a lot more research. Well, I did, you know, I talked to Kelly and Kelly said, you know, I had some
concerns because funds were coming out of buckets of in the in the budget that had nothing to do with SCADA, right? Wherever the money was, >> right? >> And that's all been corrected. We are
clean, clean, clean, >> okay, >> on what is available to us. Um I you know the engineering folks have already been paid for this. Correct. >> That is correct. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. And you're looking for another $28,000? >> No. Not not right, Pierce. That that would be a $28,000 increase to the contract by the contractor. >> That's understood. Understood.
>> Actual. Um >> and that would be ALM and >> yeah that would be Elm its and uh Elman it >> primarily >> under Bay State.
>> Okay. >> And we haven't even talked about uh ozone project yet. >> No. I you know I mean I think that I look I don't have all the finances in front of me but I think that we need to step back
and have a consult with Kelly on anything that remains that there's funding that needs to be done and as Dave said we can't do funding on anything right now. So this is just one of them but the fact of the matter is is that we did the
upfront cost right now you got the backend cost which is the actual build. So, it's like throwing that money out the door if we don't move forward with it. What's the risk of not doing it at this time? >> At this time, it could always be done.
It could be done later. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> If you get the funding, it could be done as a small contract. >> Okay. Then I would s >> but the only but the only issue is >> does your price change >> with your procurement? There'll be a
price change with your procurement. Does it have to go out to bid or can we do it as like a u a special project or I don't know would you have to go out I guess the question is we would do you have to go out the public bid for that000
>> yes >> so that we three quotes >> so it had already gone out to bid is that what you're saying >> oh you can get three quotes three quotes $50,000 is three quotes but for any work wouldn't have to go out to public is
what you're saying? >> No. For any work that's being done on a town owned property, any sort of like actual construction like anything, it's it's it's a little bit more involved. You do have to uh advertise on a central
register. There's more steps rather than if it's just a you know, if we're procuring a service. Go ahead. >> Yeah, >> we have uh Marius on the phone with Right Pierce. Um he's 860. Okay. Is there any way they >> do you want to unmute the caller from
860 >> there you go >> everybody uh yeah I've been just sitting in this is Marius Jedski I'm a project manager group for rights I work with uh Mike and Jim uh so the one thing I wanted to mention about the construction
construction loan for the SKA project is you know whether you can add the 28,000 uh for the contract. So depends on the appropriation amount for the entire SCADA project. So I don't know what that number was. Um I know we bid at it first
the bids came in a little bit higher. So I think the town had to go back and have like a second town meeting but typically we would budget like whatever that bid price was for the project plus additional 5%. So whether you can include that 28 as the SCADA project would depend on how much was the final
appropriation from the town. If it was that 912,000 then you know you probably would have to go for another town vote to get the additional money appropriated. So I don't know what that final number was that the town voted on for the SCA project. Thank you.
>> Yes. Um, >> so I would say let's put this on the list. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Because we need to see the holistic picture, I think, of what's what's needed. Right.
>> Well, my my question is what what is the risk to the equipment if we do like you said and hold back on some of it? I don't want to be replacing switches and compressors and all that other stuff while we're waiting to do
this. >> What do you think, Mike? What do you think? >> I thought this was like an operator safety. >> Yes, that's basically what it is. Yes. So, it's not it's if uh an operator is in a situation working on a pump and
something goes bad, >> there's a button close by that they can hit to kill all the power to everything >> if they're there. >> If Well, yeah, if they're if they're working over a problem. >> Yeah. >> And all of a sudden, it turns on. >> Okay.
>> There's kill switch. Yeah. But it's multiple kill switches for all the pumps in places where the operators can get at them. >> And not just at the pumps, but in other places in the plant. >> And this isn't something we were concerned about initially. >> We were trying to first of all there
there were emergency stops there, but it only controls one piece of equipment. Any one of these estops that are hit for the equipment will kill all the equipment. So dead.
>> Yeah. So yes, thank you. I I Pete, what's your problem? >> B. So let me give you let me give a scenario. So if the person was working down in the uh in the pump pit and it was a pipe break, right? He wouldn't
have to run over if the pump was 10 15 feet to his right or left, he wouldn't have to run there. He could hit the pump the estop right in front of him and all the pumping shuts down. >> Okay. >> All the pumping shut. >> Yes, that's a good safety feature. Yeah. >> So,
>> yeah, especially as deep as that pit is. >> How long can you shut water? >> Well, and I don't like Look, I don't like delaying anything that has to do with safety. But I I'm I'm trying to figure out why this never was brought up way long ago if it's a safety issue.
Well, well, um, we were trying to keep as humanly possible the costs down and to prevent changes and overruns and we were trying to use as much of the existing design as possible.
>> Well, then my thought is right at this very moment, we don't know where this money is going to come from. So, we have to consult finance, >> you know, our accounting group, right? Um, so we would want to keep it on the list. High up on the list
would be my recommendation. I mean, unless unless there's no other place that we can get it at the moment. >> The uh gentleman across the table mentioned that there's uh another meeting and that all additional funds have to happen before December. Correct. Because it affects
>> before by November 17 >> by November 17. >> We have a special town meeting scheduled for November 17th. So at that time there could be well you have to have funds to transfer funds but >> yeah okay >> right >> and the warrant >> well the warrant's already posted
>> well >> is the transfer of funds >> right that's the challenge >> again >> is the transfer of funds subject to the warrant >> it depends where the funds come from >> where so if it's if >> what were you saying Dave >> like if they want to take it out of their stabilization account yes it has to go to town meeting if that's what
you're asking >> but if it's within the water department >> if If it's within an pre-existing lo that's not a special account, they can pay it from where they would like to pay it from. >> Are the reserves a special account? >> Reserve is handled by how much committee
and can only be transferred out with the vote of a finance. Unfortunately, right now we don't have forum. We could have it on special town meeting. It's something to vote for. Um, so but >> but Christina, >> you said there was money there was money
in the I'm sorry, the capital expenditure account for them. >> They have an account that is labeled water capital expense, although we were supposed to change the name of that because it's not a true capital account. Um, >> yeah,
>> they do have uh funds sitting in a water capital expense account. It's about 50,000, but I don't know what that's for. >> I recommend taking one in for now. >> Okay. >> Do we get a chance to talk to Kelly? And >> yeah,
>> we got too much other stuff we got to take care of. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. So, that's something that you have on your list to talk to the financial team about. >> Okay. So, let's move on. The next item on the agenda is 2026 rural development
grant approval for raw water inlet design $80,000. >> See, did I see? Oh, sorry. What keeps happening when I take out my reading glass? >> Mass DP consent order update. >> No, we tal that's what we were supposed
to be just talking about before. I think those were just aspects of the consent order, I believe. Um, >> yes. Do we have a copy of it? I' I don't know that anybody has seen I haven't seen a copy of the consent order. Have you guys >> think so?
>> We have one digitally in our files. We can send it to you to show you. >> Um but essentially the the town is under consent order from Mass E for violating the disinfection byproduct rule. Um, and
the disinfected byproduct rule is there's certain uh chemicals of concern that are in the the water distribution system. Um, the town sampled as it was scheduled to do and
the the results came back higher than DP's directives. So they issued this consent order and said get these uh containments of concern bound and um the town's been
working towards that that goal. So they asked asked you guys there were 10 short-term goals >> uh that they they wanted you to do. Um you've taken care of seven of those
goals. Amen. And mostly it was with the uh the the filters um with flushing of the uh the water manes. Um but one one thing with the disinfection byproducts it's it comes
about when uh the total organic carbon is like the input that comes into the water system from your reservoir. And it's just it's a whole slew of different
carbonatious chemical compounds. And when that gets hit with chlorine, the chlorine uh oxidizes those carbonatous compounds, those chemicals out in the distribution system and it makes these disinfection
byproducts. When when the plant was originally designed and built, the ozone system was a preoxidant for that total organic carbon and it would it would oxidize that carbon, turn
it into something that would hit the filters and get filtered out. So the the carbon never made its way into the distribution system where it could turn into these disinfection by
the ozone system offline uh that that is the carbon's getting through. You're making the disinfection byproducts and you're exceeding D's guidelines and the consent decree is here.
there. So, there's three things left on the short-term goals for the the concentric. Um, one is the raw water inlet for the plant. So, the there's a
gigantic reservoir of water. Um, is it Wong Pond? Is that >> And that's the source of drinking water. There's a a pipe that goes into Wongfant and it has a it's a drum screen. So,
it's a in a it's a drum uh that has a a screen wrapped around it, wire, whatever, and and the water flows in through that and then goes into the plant. Um, one of the problems is you're I think the pond has
a depth of I don't know if it's like 50 or 80 feet deep at its deepest point, >> but the screen is like 10 ft. >> Okay. >> Below the surface of the water. >> I was going to ask about that. Yeah. >> So, it's very shallow and
because it's shallow um in the summertime the water in the reservoir and the pond heats up. >> Yeah. So the raw water going into the plant is warmer and warmer water is not that great for
uh drinking water systems. Uh, also being shallow, it's it's more prone to to algae and leaves and things like that. >> Um, and which is carbon that would get pulled in and
um, so DP wants the town to look at an a secondary inlet deeper further into the pond and deeper. Um, and that's where item D comes in. Um, but before we get there, the second
item that they want uh that town to look at is there's an inline basket strainer uh on the raw water line. So, you've got that drum screen out in the reservoir. >> Mhm. >> And then coming into the plant, as soon as it enters the building, right up
against the wall, there's a basket strainer. And a a basket strainer would be just like a a filter, >> like a pool filter. Well, no, not the the pool filter is the slow sand filtration units. That's the pool filter.
>> It's like the thing in the skimmer. >> Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Like the whole thing and then it goes and >> Sure. So, the skimmer except uh the strainer has much smaller holes than in the skimmer. and the strainers in uh
this piece of iron equipment that's tucked in a corner uh that had eight bolts on top of it. And when you when you take those eight bolts off, you pull out a basket and the basket is your your
pool skimmer and that might be clogged with leaves and uh little fish that get past the the screen out. Um, but what that does when it's in place is as those holes get clogged and bound up, it'll
starve your plant for water. >> Yeah. >> In order to take the the basket out to clean it, you have to turn the plant off. >> Okay. >> And and then you you take it out, you clean it, you put it back in, plant goes
back online, and in a very short amount of time, it's clogged up again. And before the SCADA went in and even even today because there isn't provisions for it. Well, you would see it in the SCADA. I think the operators
wouldn't know like how far along they are, >> how many of those those holes are left for water to flow through in in a skimmer. So ultimately it was decided to take the
the skimmer out and just let flow go through the plant. >> What happens to all the debris? >> It gets caught in the filters. >> Once you take the skimmer out, >> once you take the skimmer out, it it goes through the system. So >> the EP saw that the skimmer was out and
they said your your water treatment plant when it was designed, we approved a design that had a skimmer in place and you have to put a skimmer in place >> or you have to change your approval for the treatment plan. So that's one of
their items is to fix the the basket strainer. Um, and there there's different options that we can look at. There's kinds that automatically flush. There's kinds that have quick disconnects. There's also uh
a potential to put in a secondary line on your inlet so that you don't have to take the plant offline when you're cleaning up the strainer. Um, that's that's the second item, >> okay, >> that D has up on on the consent decree.
And the last one is uh ozone. Um and again if if there was an ozone system, it would it would oxidize bulk of the carbonatious chemicals going into the into the plant
and uh the the disinfection byproducts. They might still be there but they wouldn't be there to the extent that they are. Now, now in the plant itself, is there like a uh reverse osmosis system or a a back flush system? There
is for the filters. >> There is for the filter. >> Yeah. And that's one thing the plants done and they've done a great job is they've improved their backashing of the filters over the last few years. >> Yeah. Because that was like non-existent when I first came here. And then
>> we slowly got into better and better and changed the piping and got it to where we could back flush a lot better. >> Isn't Isn't back washing done on a manual basis? Correct. >> It is. Yeah. >> Otherwise, so many thousand gallons go through and then automatically go throw
back. >> No, we have to do it manually. >> You do it manually. >> We have to >> with the ska system, you're going to notice a reduction in flow over time. >> Okay. and that and uh the associated valve that's trying to keep the filter
level constant is going to go more open more open more open and at that point time you're going to deduce by looking at the information um that a backwash is going to be necessary of a filter. So you'll have real you'll start to see filter
performance drop off. So it's not just done on a time interval, it's done when it re when it needs it. Oh, okay. >> So that that will enhance the filtering performance. >> I I always thought they were on a automatic
system. >> Thank you for explaining that. >> Can I ask one question of the of those three things that you had just outlined that are part of the consent >> degree? None. Nothing that was part of the consent degree has to do with the SCADA project. >> Skada project was in the consent.
>> It was in the plant automation. Okay. Um, one of the one of the first things the town had to do was come up with an asset management capital improvement plan. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Data was part of the capital improvements plan and we to put that into the consent. >> Okay. Thanks.
>> I didn't look into it, but did did we lose a log removal with the UV? Did >> I don't know with the >> Yeah, with just taking that on a surface >> for disinfection. >> Yeah. you the ozone.
>> Yeah, I'm ozone. >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Definitely. >> Yeah. >> And and um what Pete's talking about is there's uh the log removal. Uh it's a lot of complicated math, but they want you to remove like
log three I think 99% >> of gardium cryptoperidium, which are uh biological things that cause stomach problem >> problems. Yeah. >> Meanwhile, I did go up there last week with some workers from Springfield Water
and we got the UB 254 running. >> Okay. >> Um the water quality coming in is really good and um like they're putting out an O23 leavein very good numbers for this time of year though. >> So without the ozone you guys are relying myself
>> filters. >> So none of the ag none of the agenda items pertain to skater. So, I'm going to excuse myself unless anyone has any further questions before I leave. >> I don't think so, Jackie. Any more questions before Jim leaves? >> No.
>> No. Okay. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Good luck, Mike. >> So, are um this is Have we um been granted the 80,000 for Okay. >> Yeah. >> And is that for the design >> or one or both? It's for both, Tony.
It's for both. >> It's not. >> So, it's this this past cycle, >> um the town did apply to uh onetop, which is the executive office of economic development for the
Commonwealth. >> It's like you put in one application and they have a bunch of different grant programs and they see which one applies. Um, so you applied for $80,000 for the design of the raw water intake for the
the screen out in Lawn Pond and you were awarded that. >> You also applied for uh $330,000 for Ozone's construction unit. That was denied and it was denied because it
wasn't a design really. Um >> it was what it was denied. Why? >> There was essentially because it hasn't been designed. >> Um >> Okay. >> When >> there was no backup information. >> Yeah. So >> yeah. >> So Wright Pierce last year did a
preliminary evaluation of the ozone system to take a look at the existing equipment that you have and could it be uh rehabilitated and put back into service. um the the company that
services that equipment says that they they don't they don't sell it anymore. They don't stock it anymore and it would be very difficult to find parts for it. They do have new equipment that's smaller, more efficient,
um and would do a better job at providing ozone for your system. And uh when we were we were given a u an equipment cost
from that vendor for the ozone equipment and we know that there's going to be certain uh electrical components that go along with it, instrumentation that goes along with it, >> piping supports, demolition of uh the
existing room, not demolition full scale but like selective demolition. Um, so there's going to be ancillary work that goes along with that equipment and we have put in contingencies to cover the cost of that ancillary work
because we didn't really know what the extent was at this point in time. And when uh the executive office of economic development saw those contingencies, they were as large if not larger than the cost of the appointment. They said
timeout that they didn't feel comfortable approving the grant. >> Okay. >> Not that they wouldn't approve a grant for. >> They just need information. >> They just need the numbers to be tighter.
>> So we could reapply after we have more information. >> Yes. >> Yeah. If we can tighten up the numbers so there's not much of a a window. It's too broad of a window. they didn't feel comfortable with that broad of a window was the way that I understood it when the meeting because we had a closeout meeting with one stop.
>> Okay. >> Um >> why why didn't you get the green was the question? >> We just asked those questions to them and they basically came back and that was the major thing. It was too broad of a window >> for costs. It wasn't they would like to see it a lot tighter.
>> Okay. Right. >> And also at that meeting with with one stop, um, kind of skipping ahead to item E1, the town does have an existing grant with rural developments through one stop
for >> tank installation, >> uh, tank design >> 350,000. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, the tank design, a booster pump station design, and then construction of 550 ft of water mane
associated with the tank and the booster pump station, >> but that's not part of the um consent order. The tank, >> the tank, um, >> it does have something in here. >> It's in the capital improvements plan.
>> It's also in the uh, what do you call it? uh kind of right here. >> Sorry. >> Well, let's see. Uh it's your study. >> So, I have >> There's two things with the tank and why
the historically the the town has had tanks in the past. >> Yeah, we have one. 1909, 1950, uh, two different tanks, a cement tank in 1909, I think it was, >> and then later on they switched in 1930
something to a steel tank, and then it was rebuilt in 1950. I was just reading it in this order right here from D. >> And then you bought a tank. >> Yeah. Yeah. But it's had And then finally in 2009, it failed
and they took it offline. So there's no storage, >> no >> as you would as you would call it storage in the distribution system. And that there tanks provide three things classically. They provide uh fire storage
>> so that if there's a fire, the fire department has uh the ability to take more water out of the distribution system than what the treatment plant can put in. Mhm. >> Uh there's an equalization component so
that uh your your tank sits at a certain elevation and and the elevation of the water is what controls the pressure of the water coming out of your faucets. >> So if if you had like a water main break or a fire, you don't want big
fluctuations in your tank because you're going to see that potentially in your house. And the other is emergency storage. So that if uh if a gigantic eel plugged up that inlet and you weren't getting any water at all into your plant
or if your extension cord finally fried and you weren't able to to run your plant and there wasn't anything coming out, you would have water in your tank to be able to get you through a day, day and a half until you could figure out something to to get your plant back
going. Those are the like the three American Waterworks Association categories of why you need storage. Okay. >> In your system. >> Makes sense. >> So the problem with the tank that Brad was talking about was that the elevation
of the tank was only one foot higher than the highest section on North Street. Yeah. >> So you only had that to play with, >> right? There wasn't a lot. Right now, the the storage that the town
has is in the clear well at the treatment plant. And the clear well is it's a part of the treatment process. And it's it you can imagine water comes in the top and it goes out the bottom. And in in that clear well, that's where
your final disinfection and everything happens to kill all the bugs that are going to make you sick >> before it goes out to to us. >> That shouldn't be counted as storage, but it today it kind of is your your
storage. >> Um, so that's that's the reason why the tank was conceptualized as a project. >> Okay. Pete, were you at the meeting with Marius and myself when we found a more in
inexpensive way instead of building another building or having a building put in Marius and I I think you were in that meeting. Yeah. >> And we talked about the double pumps that >> that was at after the rural development. >> Correct. >> So that's with the pump station. the the
pump station that you have on North Street is is also old. Um there's no control at that pump station. Um and you actually you have a like a a blowoff valve
>> because you need to maintain the you have the water from the plant at a certain height and you have these other houses up here and they need water too. So your your pump station pumps the water up to uh to them so that they have pressure at their house.
>> There's no storage on that system and the pressure comes from the pump station pumping water in because there's no control at your pump station. Um it's constantly pumping. >> So even if those houses aren't taking any water, your station is still pumping
>> a certain pressure >> that Yeah. to maintain pressure. But if no one's drawing any water, you >> it has to waste it basically. >> Yeah. You and so you don't over pressurize the line. Um there's a a blowoff and the pump station's
constantly blowing off water >> so that it doesn't over pressurize the line. Um it's also another situation where the uh the pumps are old and it's hard to get replacement parts. Um,
so we were looking at originally um a pump station building, another building like what's there now, but they have other technology for um for booster pumps and and really what you need are small booster pumps because there's only
a handful of houses and these are inline vertical pumps. Uh you don't need a building. Um there's still a generator, there's still a control panel. Um but it would we think that the capital cost associated with that would be a lot less than
>> a building um like a traditional booster pool station would be a lot cheaper. >> We wouldn't lose our water so much. >> Well, that and still be putting a tank in. We'd still have a tank >> and it would still pump up to the tanks. >> Yeah.
>> So then now you got your storage. Now you don't have your fluctuation like you were saw this weekend. >> Uh with all the problems we had with that weekend. >> Yeah. >> Now you have your tanks. Now you have your And then you still have your pumps, but now you don't have the cost of that extra building. >> Yeah.
>> Which I haven't seen the difference in the price yet. >> We're working. >> Do you need us to So we received this grant for the 80,000. Do you need us to move on anything for that or >> other than trying to get something set up with Cali? I don't think so right at
the moment. >> Someone has to approve it. >> You have to approve. >> You have to say you're going to take it. >> Okay. So, I think we do we need to just a motion or course. >> Go ahead, Jack. >> I think my only question was um and as
I'm listening to all this, right, all of these are design phase. >> Yes. And like on this one in particular, the intake one, um, and correct me if I'm wrong, Mike, wasn't around 300,000 that that's going to cost if we get into the construction phase or do you have
any thoughts there? >> I think that was the the ozone. That was the ozone, the intake. >> What about the then? What about that one? The intake >> intake was around 200. >> Um, >> okay. But the so like the design is the
first step towards other funding whether it's >> understood understood but when we're you know as a as a group here as a select board we're looking at it holistically too right you've got the first phase but then we have to understand that the
second phase is going to start adding up. >> Yeah. >> Right. So we got 200,000 there for the intake. Let's just give or take. Right. And then you've got the ozone which we haven't even done the design phase. Correct.
>> Correct. >> And we think the design phase is going to be >> how much was around 75 >> 75K and then the build phase would be like 300 and something >> right.
>> There was three options I think provided right. >> Yeah there were three options. The highest being a little about 320. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, and was there a third one, Mike? Did I hear you say a third one? >> Yeah,
>> the third was the uh inline screen. >> No, there's three here. >> No, not the options. I'm sorry. They're talk. She's talking about the consent order three things that we're still >> Yeah. So, it's the the basket screener at the at the treatment plan. afraid look
>> but it's not like we have a choice on these >> right >> right >> to be done >> is what I'm saying >> could we don't have a choice but we have a choice in terms of how you know like one of the things that we were talking
about in that meeting and Mike correct me if I'm wrong was and and Brad was that it's really getting through the process with the D and if you're showing progress >> correct Right. >> And you on the intake obviously we have progress because we have the 80,000. The
ozone is where we don't show progress. Right. >> Right. Well, we in one aspect we do because we did put in for the loan. >> Right. >> So now we just have to come back with on I guess on our side we got to come back with a tighter set of numbers.
>> Well, so when we were meeting with EOED development, >> right? Um, we were talking about your existing grant that you have with them and those three components, the tank, the booster pump station, and a water
man replacement. And we had asked, could that water main replacement, those dollars be reallocated to the >> ozone design? >> Yeah. And uh >> we have a letter of that someplace. So,
we have a draft letter um that we we just sent over um that kind of identifies the the history with the consent order, the work that's been done, the work that needs to be done, and then the request to um you would
need to rewrite the contract with the state so that the water main replacement wouldn't be part of the contract, but instead uh ozone design And that inline basket strainer uh line
construction would be in l of the water main replacement. >> Okay. >> The water man replacement could be attached to the storage tank project
um as as a part of that project at some point in the future. >> Okay. So what we what we need to demonstrate to the DP though is that we're at least moving on the ozone for the design
phase. Right. And what you're saying the thought is to to request this money from what we already had it allocated for which was also very important. Right. But it's not D focus those other three items.
>> Yeah. The line isn't Yeah. >> Right. And the line was to address like uh historical water man breaks generally >> the intake the intake being down only six feet is a huge problem too you know. >> Yeah. >> Becom
of water all together. >> Right. And that one we already have the 80,000 for right >> for the design. Yes. >> Right. For the design phase. and one stop would would be a good uh funding source for these capital
improvements. >> Okay. So can I we have the 80,000 for the design phase of this strainer inlet >> the >> intake. >> So but this draft letter is asking to
reallocate 50,000 for design and replacement of the water strainer. We >> right which is inside the plant. >> The strainer. >> Those are two different >> those are two different things. >> Yeah. And that's the one that had the other consent order. administrator or 80
>> anything from us on the 80,000 grant >> I believe we've already accepted >> okay yeah so you don't need anything else on that okay >> we just have to sign something back to them right >> something who would be the signatory on the contract between the town and the
state >> okay >> so somebody will have to sign off on that >> there's a meeting on the uh Okay. >> Too with rural development about that. >> Have they sent you the grant paperwork?
The the award letter, but I don't send me the war. I haven't seen anything else from them yet. I email them. >> But that that's when they're have the meeting on the 6th, right? And I'd probably say something. >> There's two meetings. There's the the meeting that's going to happen. The morning's going to be with >> D because they are going to want to know
about the consent orders. And then the meeting in the afternoon at two, that's the one about the uh award >> and a meeting with D is a regular meeting. They have them, you know, occasionally just to make sure the town's making. >> Okay.
>> So I this is I guess the letter that Wright and Pierce has drafted to go. >> Yeah, I gave her a copy. So, um, EOED, uh, they said that it would be best if this request came from the town.
Um, I'm not sure who from the town it should come from, but this is this is a draft letter. And if if they approve it, this would give you the funds to uh, design ozone and design and possibly construct the that inlet screener,
basket screener. So this would be funds to re have a better design to go back and request a grant. >> Yes. Yes. >> Right. >> I understand. Okay. So,
>> but that means we're going to have to find funding for those items that we're taking the money from too later. >> That'll be a meeting with our finance team, Jackie. >> Yeah. Yeah. We really need to lay all of this out and kind of look at what's the short and the long on this stuff and
figure out financially what this really means. >> Water. Have you guys heard anything from ARA? >> Oh, they didn't say they were happy to work with us. >> I thought the audit. No. >> No. >> They looked at everything. They She gave
them all the stuff they asked for. They said thank you very much. And >> Jackie, have you heard from our cap? >> I have not. Okay. I think we need to reach back out to them and see where they are in the process. >> Yep. >> So, my water tank installation, we were
granted the 350,000 through the rural program. >> If we reallocate these funds, that leaves us with 225,000 for the water tank installation. >> Wouldn't that I'm sorry, >> it's for the water tank design. >> Design, I'm sorry. and the booster pump station design,
>> which is why I said to them when they said about having the building, I said, "Well, how much are we going to save? We get rid of the building and go with the two pumps instead of having the whole prefab building brought in." You know what I'm saying? I'm thinking it'll be a
lot cheaper. >> But you're talking about $325,000 for design. No, no, it was it was 25,000 >> for the design >> from the grant for the design of the tank and the pump station. Right. Pierce is currently under contract with the
town. So there's no additional money to to do the design. The designs, >> but they still need 75,000 for the ozone design. >> Correct. And because the because the fiscal year
25 grant was for $350,000 and 225 is associated with the tank and pump station design that left 125 associated with water main replacement. So the request would be to take that 125
and use 75 for ozone design and 50 for the basket screener at the plant. >> So that's your motion. >> Yes, that's what he said. >> Second. >> Dwayne, did you get that? >> No, but I will on the table.
>> Okay. Is there a second? >> Duck. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> Okay. >> So, do you want her to switch that over or you don't want her? >> You could just get me a finalized copy
of this. I'll get it signed for you. >> You want word would be good. Yeah. >> And just throw it on our butterhead. Sign it. >> Excellent. I feel like I understand it a lot more, but I'm also there's a lot to be confused about. So
>> it it doesn't take it doesn't take much to milk your head spin. >> Yeah, >> especially when you start pulling all of them. >> Yeah, >> I think it's easier if you just stay concentrated on one. >> Yeah, >> we got to replace the seals on a pump house now. >> You're going to have to >> You're going to have to
>> That one is bad. >> At what point do we just say let's just build wells? >> I mean like millions of dollar, you know. You know, Cara, when you guys put that plan together, I was working for a
well driller in Otis, and he came to the board at that time and said, "I'll drill everybody in town a well." >> That's kind of what I'm wondering if our cap was going to come back and be like, "You guys, this is I'm just curious if >> the only problem is in the center of town, you can't drill a well. You got
too many subtit." >> So maybe that's not even >> Yeah, >> that'd be kind of tight. >> It just feels so overwhelming a lot, you know? >> Thank you. Thank you so much, Mike, for explaining that in a way that >> anytime. >> I can understand that. >> No, he's very good at that.
>> All right. I'll just once I get that signed, I send it back to you or you're saying it should come directly from an email address within the town. >> Okay. Got it. >> You can copy this. >> Sure. >> Can I can I say something while we're
here talking with water, please? Um, thank you Cara for keeping in touch with me this weekend with the uh little problem. Um, I did see some things and Pete brought up one of the things that I hadn't noticed and I didn't know about was that leak in that bumps bump head
there around that shaft and I said something to Stephen about it. I asked him what the possibility of rebuilding cuz I seen a couple new heads sitting there on the floor too, you know, or you know the housings and he said he didn't know if he had a seal kit for it or whatever. Did you talk to him about
that? >> No, I just told him we got to fix it. >> So, just to bring you up timeline wise, >> somewhere around 3:30, 4:00, Steve called me. Steve Hart called me and said he had lost water pressure. And then soon afterwards, you contacted me about
some people being out of water. >> I contacted Stephen. Stephen was in Westfield at the time. >> Stephen says, "Well, I probably won't be back till about 4:00 or 4:30." But Steven dropped everything and turned around, came right back. >> And he put the other pump online to try
to bring the pressure back up. Went to the plant to look for how much water was being used. Well, when he got to the plant, he said he didn't see much fluctuation or he didn't see much movement. Well, when he came back to the pump house, one of the pumps had shut
off. Therefore, >> not pumping what it was losing. Y >> all in all, we were losing approximately 220 gallons a minute is what we were losing on that break. Yeah. >> Is what we calculated with Steve. >> So, Steve then said, "Well, you know, as
much as I hate to admit this, I think we've got a break." I said, "Well, let's not be hasty and go jump in the boom here until we find out for sure." >> Yeah. >> So, Steve started shutting valves off. I stayed at the pump station watching the gauges to make sure whenever they slowed
down. And uh finally when we got to the McDonald's valve, he started to shut it down. He says, "I think it's shut." But he said, "It's making a lot of noise." I said, "Well, it slowed the meter down a little bit, but it didn't stop it." >> He said, "Well, let me shut the other one off cuz there's two we can shut off
there." One's ahead of the other, one's ahead of the pit, one's behind the pit. So, he shut the one off ahead of the pit. And as soon as you shut that one off, dead. Why? Everything stopped. >> So, then I told him that and he says, "Well, let me go over and shut the other one." So, he shut the other one, then
opened the other one back up and it didn't move. So, we knew at that point that was about nine o'clock. We knew that it was McDonald's. >> Yeah. So then we started making he'd already called Eric Maine earlier to give him a heads up which is mass D
>> and not D um >> DOT. So he already called him and uh so he already knew that it might be something up. So by 10:00 we had everybody on the DOT side informed and everything. We had already talked to
eastbound and westbound and told them that they were being shut down because of a water leak. Um, we also talked to Jen on several occasions back and forth. Um, and then uh in the morning I think what time I I talked to you sometime
Saturday, didn't I? >> Yeah, I was up there. >> Yeah, you were up there too. >> We called DP got them involved for because it was it was right in the uh right in a swampy area where the water break was, where the valve was. So being
in that spot there and losing its pressure, swamp bar could get into the into the >> it could stuck it back in. >> Yes. So uh that's why we that's why we decided to do a bacterial test and all that. Flush bacteria test. So they're down for 48 hours.
>> I guess the samples were sent out today and we should know by tomorrow this morning. >> Yeah, that is correct. >> Yeah, thank you. It was done very well. >> Well, there's a few more things we could make a little better. we'll figure our communication out a little better.
>> But it it was it was trying it wasn't that hard to keep up. I mean, as far as talking to everybody, but it was just you get involved in something and you >> you forget >> you forget to call somebody. I better call them right now. I better call this person. But we did we talked to uh >> Mima, we talked to well, you guys talked
to D cuz that's when you found out it was in the swampy area. Um even the state police. We had already talked to the state police, too. At that point, we talked to Adam. We already called Mark Bonesma just in case it was on our side. The leak was >> in case we needed an excavator or
somebody to excavate. Um, we kept him in the loop until we figured out that it was in McDonald's and we called him and released him from that part of it. So, I think we had everything pretty much Stephen did a really good job. I'd like to say uh for someone handling his first
break like that by himself mostly, I think he did a really good job. I don't know. Pete, what do you think? Did you say you did a good job? >> And then Pete and I talked later about back and forth with the D on the testing side of things and we both agreed that
they needed to do the bacterial test from where it was at. Plus, I think we should have them do it anyhow. >> Okay. >> Replacement because it only, like you said, protects us, you know. >> All right. Well, thank you. just could just
>> Sorry. >> Uh yes. >> Yes. Hi. Hi. I just I want to mention something here talking about the McDonald Plazas and D there. I know the previous uh superintendent I know the uh DOT is
planning uh to do makeovers or upgrades to those service plazas on the turnpike. So, I think the previous superintendent, I don't know how much the select board knows about this or the water commissioners, I know he was trying to get in touch with the DOT uh uh project
manager responsible for those upgrades because if we could maybe partner with them and kind of associate maybe the pump station and the tank project with those plazas because they provide water directly to McDonald's and the service plazas is those if those plazas getting
upgraded, there could be some maybe potential grants or cost sharing for the town. So, I'm not sure where that project stand, but I know that the previous uh you know, superintendent was trying to get more information and you know to see if the state will be willing to share the cost of the construction of
the pump station and the tank uh that directly will serve those uh service plazas. >> So, the contractor for that that the state had contracted with I think it was Apple Green. Yes. >> Uh it's no longer >> a deal >> a deal. So it's it's that's all kind of
on hold right now. >> Okay. Okay. But yeah, we just I just didn't know, you know, there was opportunity for the town to talk to D and and see if there's any, you know, potential cost cost savings. I mean, that would help the town and the water department as well. So, I just want to
>> bring it up. Good point. >> Thank you. >> Sure. All right. So, thank you guys. Thank you water for joining us. I appreciate it. Oh, you just needed to sign this. >> Mike, nice to meet you. >> Thank you, Mike, for coming out. Thanks.
You don't need to sign this. >> I don't think >> Thank you. Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you, everybody. >> Amendments that you need for them to sign >> right here. Doing it. I got it. >> All right. >> Bye. Goodbye. Thank you.
>> Steve's back. >> Bye. Thank you. No, this weekend he sent message >> that took him a few hours like an hour to figure out. >> Good. Good. >> He must have his mic off right in here. >> Sorry. Hi, Mr. Flyman. All right. Um,
next up we've got appointment. We got our finance appointing committee. So, this consists of our moderator, Mr. Hoffman, select board, and our town clerk. And Sarah, do you want to come on down? >> All right.
>> All right. So >> I have to scan the stuff. >> I'll make sure it gets you right here. >> Um, you can definitely CC on the >> Oh, yeah. >> Sending it out >> the amendments. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> All right. So we'll open up the fin committee. >> Yeah. Can we officially do that? >> You see your meeting now? I mean to me. >> So we have one person here. Guess we'll
just do one tonight then. >> Yeah. >> She figured out what really went on. >> Yeah. Somebody got to her. >> I haven't spoken. >> But Sarah's here and she's not scared away. So
>> so you have a resume. Any questions for Sarah? >> Um I just tell it why are you interested in joining finance? >> Uh well there's been so much talk about us not having a quorum on finance committee and all the help that the town
needs and I looked at all the different boards and the only thing that I feel that I have some relevant experience in is the finance committee. So, I figured I would step up and give it a shot. And I know Debbie and I know she needs help.
>> Absolutely. >> Um, I mean, yeah, you definitely have a lot of experience that I think will be relevant to the position. >> Um, have you t filled in a little bit about the schedule, Deb, and kind of what that's like? And >> a little bit. Yeah.
>> But I think we've had conversations, >> right? Um, I think that what we're looking to do moving forward is really have a more like robust finance committee, right? And so it's it might look a little bit different than what we're used to in the past. Um,
>> but and I did send you the new uh the state issue 2025 finance committee handbook that just we just got from the state. It is 167 pages long, but I am making my way through it and I would like to moving forward really see like a
more um involved and robust like I said finance committee that follows the road map that the state lays out for us when towns have finance committees. So I can't speak to years prior other than
last year but in your experience I don't know if you want to talk a little bit about like what the finance committee used to do or like the involvement or the schedule like you had said or >> well not sure that there's a lot of difference um except um the TA was way more
involved in prior than last year. Um Jackie had kind of stepped up to that too. >> Um t doing both I guess TA as well as a committee member.
Um I think we need to be more flexible with time especially Sarah's a working person. >> I'm sorry. >> I think we need to be more flexible. I mean there's a lot of ways that
>> we can be flexible but we can't be flexible necessarily with the overall timeline right because so we have to start budget season during a particular time of year right we can be flexible with when we have the hearings and >> that's what I'm talking about yes meetings yes >> the only tricky part will be like
highway superintendent will have to be like >> he it could be outside of his hours I'm just trying to think contractually might be >> yeah okay >> so we can be more flexible with meetings, things of that nature, >> but I do just see it being more a little
bit more involved. And >> yes, >> this year, um, Kelly will our accountant will also be taking a bigger role, uh, in the budgeting. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Right. >> Jackie, did you have anything to add?
No, I I mean Kelly this is a um in the past I think accounting had more of a role also and Kelly did say that she would be the one that would be putting the holistic budget together and I think um uh what you'll see is more you know
for the way I read it is to be more understanding of what's going on with the revenue side and and the different components that's all um so you I think the the scheduling again will we'll just have to figure it out.
>> Yeah. >> How we can get everybody in. >> What is our um max number for finance committees of five? >> Five. >> Five. >> So we need to recruit. >> So just so you know, it's wonderful that you're volunteering, but it still wouldn't be a forum, right?
>> Okay. Just and your your duty is your duty is to go out and get three more people. >> Three more people. Yes, >> if you know Erica, maybe give her a call. >> Erica.
>> Her last name is >> Yeah. >> I think she's only been in town for a year or so. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, go ahead, Dave. You're >> a question. >> No, I'm on that. >> There's no other questions. I'd
entertain a motion to appoint Sarah to finance committee for a three-year term. >> So move. >> Second. >> Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations, Sarah.
>> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Just remember, we don't fire slaves. >> Okay. I was gonna tell you, don't expect to get paid. That's what you >> care the
finance committee >> fin. >> This is yours. This is the uh number five or seven. >> This isn't mine. This is for >> Oh, well that's the extra one. I think there's two there.
You have that fun. >> No, we already >> said it's not like I thought it was. >> It's not like I thought I thought it was >> I was wrong. I was right.
>> Okay. Where am I saying this? Duly authorized representative. >> Yes. >> God, I hope so. Jackie, I think we're we're good, right? >> We're good. All right. >> I won't see you next Monday. So,
>> you will? No, >> you're not gonna be here next Monday. >> No, >> thank you for joining via Zoom. >> Take care. Yeah, take care. Bye bye. >> Uh meeting Journ is 7:48.
>> No public comment. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Public comment first. several months ago when you instituted the new policy for public comment. >> Yes. >> You made it clear at that time that the
media would be allowed to ask questions for clarification. >> And I find it somewhat concerning that you would not respond to me during the first meeting. is is >> only because only because I did have information pertinent to the discussion
involving ever source. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry, Mary. I just I'm not sure if sometimes it is a press thing. If it is pressed, I can just >> I don't know. I just can I just I don't want to Yeah. I just don't want to >> I just don't want to get in the habit of like of not following that rule because
then it just it's it's and it's hard for me to not call on people because I feel terrible and and but I don't want to just call on some people and not the other and I the press things slip my mind honestly. So I apologize >> when I have raised my hand it has been strictly for clarification.
>> Okay. I appreciate that. So going forward I'll remember that. Thank you Mary. I know and I know it's hard because you do have I know I just want to make sure I'm following the same rules for everyone and not being you know >> Thank you. You're welcome. 7 meeting please. >> Yes. 7:49.
>> Thank you. meeting bus