We'll call the water meeting for Kingston to order. We have signed other bills. These two of us have one more member here. We think he might be here, but we may not.
We're table minutes of the 27th of May until next meeting. And starting off here we have Mark >> M Travis >> Mark Travis from mass installation on some new meters. >> Correct.
>> Yes. So um you said Travis mass installation. Uh I don't know how familiar you guys are if you've seen any of the emails and the back and forth or you know spoke about it but uh essentially what we're proposing um is a
a pilot uh to test out the cellular enabled water meters um we have uh so it requires no infrastructure no monthly bills no annual bills the price is the price is the price for the life of the meter um
it uh g one minute res data resolution for all of your all your constituents. So if you have, you know, especially where you have uh what I would assume is a lot of snowbirds or seasonal residents, uh when they leave, they have the ability to set up unauthorized use.
So if water is being is detected at their properties, when they're gone, they can get as in use when they're gone. They can set up in leak alert. Uh, additionally with the one minute data that we have, um, we're currently the only supplier in the industry that, uh,
can save you up to 10% on your home's insurance. So, not only is there, you know, not only do we measure below a quarter uh, 16th of a gallon a minute, so we're highly accurate, uh, but there's also a cost saving to the constituents as well. Um, you know, the
the big takeaway, uh, from the high level is no new infrastructure, right? So, with a lot of the systems. Um, for example, I just got done uh with a meeting um in Whand earlier today and
they have a uh they have a census radio read system um where one antenna was supposed to read everything and we're 80% of the way through the project and they're reading less than 60% of the meters that have been installed. So with
no new infrastructure, we have we take it all by the existing cellular network that's already in place. Um, and so we've done the uh we've done we did a study um to look at everything and you know with uh like 15%
of the accounts needing your tennis you're going to get you'll get a 90 99% rebate. Um yeah I mean that's that's kind of like the quick high level pitch in terms of billing um for the pilot. Uh it's
completely scalable. So it's not like you, you know, you have to make this major upfront cost to try it out and kick the ties. Um it can you can integrate into your existing billing uh system so that you know you can do it out of one for one. You don't have to
you know put all the infrastructure in, get all the billing software, everything's through the cloud. So uh the cloud-based software allows you um that flexibility and scalability to try it without a big upfront investment. I know we were talking last week or two
ago whatever about for water see especially in whatever pilot we do what kind of comparison we have with that rel to that when they do have error like how you said 1/16 gallon per minute
be is that what they're >> so so it's uh on a test bench on the cut sheet uh it goes down to there um But I mean we're seeing on the actual wash if I had to have the uh
>> um then I can actually show instead of just sitt talk we're picking up leaks below that on some of these accounts. So and and the nice part is is with the one minute data speaks for itself, right? So it's not
someone telling you and then it's like well is it or is it not? Um to your point about the unacountable water, we have the ability um to see every day um especially if you purchase water uh what was pumped versus what was metered.
So a district district meter um but you you'll see exactly every day and I'll show you um what your total what your total usage is throughout the system. um you know conservatively
uh the utilities that we um so for example I just got Jones from Bridgewater who's going to retire in August but we did an initial appointment with him in 2015 we did just commercial deals uh and he pulled up to me in June
of that year uh and said for the first time during his tenure he had to come up with other projects because every here just had to balance the budget out to get through the next year. Now all this additional revenue now everyone wanted to know well what was going to do next
to make improvements. Um, and I say that because that residential program was about uh $600,000 and that $600,000 in within eight months brought in over $4 million worth of revenue. That
allowed them to roll in the entire residential program um without having to go out and borrow any money. Just that was money that they were sitting on, but the mayors were stuck stock and w you know didn't have the same lowflow capabilities. Uh, and so you know that's
money that you're that the utility is losing. It's not new revenue. It's it's revenue that's due to you but not being picked up and captured. >> What's the How long do these pumps last? You have to replace them all as a whole or is
there? >> Sure. So there's a 20-year warranty um on everything. So from they call bumper to bumper tail piece tail piece. themselves, they have a low battery alert. Uh so should they need to be
replaced and they're under warranty, it would be as simple as getting a phone call and then we would uh would take, you know, get everything set up for them. So I just kind of sign in >> batteries fail to replace the whole thing or
>> Nope. So you can field swappable. >> Okay. Um the nice part is too is you can have the existing read programmed into the replacement register so you don't lose billing. Um so instead of having to, you know, take the final read, take the final read, then we start at zero
and now they got to do the math next time the next bill. It makes it so it's seamless. Um the other nice part is uh these meters are all top motors. So if something does happen, so say you have a main brake uh and something gets chewed up through the line and spit into one of
the customer's houses and it uh you know it interrupts his spindle, you can replace these in the field. So you know you remove Tampa Tampa seal, take out these four top bolts, we would send him a top section and you can replace it in line. So you don't have to buy a brand
new one. Um, full disclosure. So, with the ultrasonics, because this is what a lot, I'm sure a lot of the other vendors are uh selling now. Yeah. If you're if you're a manufacturer, manufacturers rep, you 100% want to sell these. Why? Because if something goes wrong, you
have to replace the whole unit. So, this I can't, you know, it's the same technology, everything. Um, but I I cannot replace the the register. I cannot swap out the meter. When it's done, it's done. Um, I mean again it's all pre it's all preference uh but you
know I um I still believe friendly moving pots that's just me. >> Is there any frost protection sacrificial piece that's replaceable? >> So with uh with these the thermal composits they have over 3600 pound
strength. So what happens is they do freeze in line. Uh so like uh Lar Wyoming they switched to all these because they used to have between 150 to 200 freezups a year. Um and then they they switched over these. What will happen is it will expand. Worst worst
case scenario the uh the measuring element will crack off the plate but they won't burst. So historically you know you got the frost plates they blow up. So you know the leak goes down as opposed to everywhere still flooding right. Uh this this is this these were
made to prevent that. >> So these things diameter we send these back for you to replace the battery. Can we do that ourselves? >> You can do it either. You can do it either way. So this you would these are two tamper screws. These pop off. You take the plastics off of this and then
that would pop right on. >> Then we take this thing out. Then what do we do with this? Send it back to >> You would send it back. Yeah. You send it back to us. That would be part of the warranty process. Now those you say you take the reer
is that all field technology that's out there can find that in the office. >> We can do so we can do it either way. Um you can you can have a tablet we can train you on staff to do it in the field. Uh I the safest way to do it uh
in my opinion just so you have like a paper trail or a record just to always cover yourself um is if you guys want to send us like send us an email and we can take care of everything in the back end and that way we put all those in file so if anything ever happens down the road
you can always go back to it. Um do we have a tablet? Yes. Do I like to give it out? No. Uh for obvious reasons, right? When you have that tablet, you can you can do a lot of things with it. So, you can change the read and the register. Uh you can swap it back to zero. If you do
have it, I would say just have one person who's in charge of that tablet. Um but yeah, you fully field program. >> So, like if we bought a case of meters to have on hand for project, would be able to set those
up to an account, assign those to an account in the office here? >> Oh, 100%. Yeah. So everything everything would come I apologize. So everything would come. So you would be able to see everything. Essentially these would be imagine these are like uh it's like a cell phone
that's sitting on the shelf, right? So when you order it, we would have it so it was already under the Kingston cloud or Kingston water scope. All you would have to do is you go in um and if it's married to the billing system, it would be a simple export from billing import
into water scope and it would take that billing information and put it right right >> serialization on the unit. >> Correct. Yep. So all you would have to do is make sure on a work order take down that sixdigit number. But this is what I was referring to.
um in terms of having the ability to see everything you pump each day. Uh so this is just like a high level landing page. It gives you all your macro data. So for example, you know, um on 66 at 820 they pumped 4,711
cubic feet of water. So you can see this system, but then it gives you what the total is. Uh you know, 28 million 28 million gallons out of the 14,000 Um, as you scroll down, it'll give you
your leaks. So, that's a constant drip or trickle. Then your intermittent leak. The best way to explain that is like jiggle the handle, right? So, the fluid mass from the toilet, it doesn't sit. So, someone flushes the toilet, always happens in the middle of the night because when it happens when someone else goes there, it's always sitting,
right? Um, happens in the middle of night, starts running by, then shuts off, but then it starts up again. Uh, that's this. So because of the one minute data uh it it allows to capture those intermittent leaks and recognize those patterns.
>> So consumers would have to download the app themselves or else we would have to contact that. >> So we're a one-stop shop. Um so what we do and and for this roll out we do the same thing is at the time of appointment
uh we actually we can set everybody up with an optin or an opt out form. So you have a record if they decide to opt out. Um but the opt in we would put everything together and then as soon as you married uh to the billing system they would have full access.
So they we give them we give them the you get their email cell phone number. We plug all this data into the back end and then once it's recognized in the billing system then it's officially turned on for them to see. Right? because you until you man that account
they would have no ability to see that but it's all set up ready to go >> there's no cost program for res >> so there's two there's a uh there's a your st there's a standard version
>> um that that comes free so that and I have that on iPhone, it gives you you can have your reads, set up your alerts, you can do all that. Um, if you want like the dialed in detailed analytics that you get on the desktop, too. So, they have full access to the desktop at
no additional charge, but if they want all like the it's an upsell there. So, you can you can pay for like what's called a premium account at $1.99 a month. There is I'm not supposed to say this, but there is no need for it.
you still have all the features that you know >> what other features >> honestly >> I mean there like some kind of alert that's lets them know if there's weird
>> no you get you get all your alerts all those alerts come standard >> so I I have it set up uh I have it in my house >> um and so you know I have concept like a usage to so if we go over uh I think it's like 50 QT a day it's it's supposed
to send me a thing which means my dog's just taking another hour and a half long shower right so um but I don't have the premium version and >> I have no problems I mean listen it's it's because it's what >> it probably gives you a lot of
information >> it's fluff so it's bells it's bells and and whistles and nothing that I I just I want to be upfront with you. You asked about the the app. The app is free. They do have an upsale uh that
they rolled out a year uh almost a year ago. Uh and you know, they're just trying to do it because all the it's like the automotive industry, right? They put a backup camera on a car and it's like, well, they have a premium version. We need a premium version.
>> That's all that is is trying to match everybody else so that everyone has the same bells and whistles when it, you know, it comes time to put the specs together. That's really all it is. Um, in terms of your data though, uh, one thing that nobody else does have is, you
know, one minute data. Um, and the the biggest thing about the one minute data versus your hourly data is simply put this is your ability to pinpoint uh, water events um, when they happen, right? So you can have a leak and you
can have a small leak and if you have hourly data, that small leak gets averaged in over to the rest of the usage throughout that hour and it spits out a number and then if it sees that elevated usage over the course of the day, then it will say, "Oh yeah, you have a leak because you have constant
usage." But with a one minute, this is how you're able to dial in and see that, you know, intermittent leak or that toilet or, you know, oh, somebody, you know, Timmy left the hose on outside, uh, cracked all night and, you know, it's
running at a quarter a gallon a minute and it's like, well, no, I didn't. Well, you did because something was on. It's like, oh, that's right. We had a Fourth of July party. The kids were in the house. You know what I mean? It just gives you that ability to to dial in and find an event. >> It's more the green lawn event.
So it so if you have water bands you can do that too. So uh Bridgewater has it set up um so for irrigation um where you have watering. So gives you allowable watering days,
restricted watering days, daytime watering. Um if if uh they had had it set up then you would you would be able to see um you would be able to see it odd or even or you know
>> but Bridgewater has it set up so that there's three messages. So the people who signed up for water scope they get three text messages. So if you're watering on nonwatering day the first one's like you know a very friendly oops you know FYI we're in water band you you
know it's odd even you're evening on a you're watering on a day that you shouldn't be. Um, the second one is a little more like, hey, you already had this conversation, not supposed to be watering. There could be like there could be a fine. And then the third one is, you know, you're now
subject to fines for violating the water. But that's all stuff that's already automated and set up. Um, you can use it if you want. It's there if you want it, but there's nothing that says you need to do it. I have some, you
know, there's some I want my alarm three times a day. >> We might be at that point. >> The other thing is there's a thermaloupler built into all these registers. So, it gives you the high and
low. If it drops below 36 degrees F, it will send you a potential freeze warning. Uh, optionally not 32. But below 36, it would send both the town and the residential
so they can prevent those freeze ups. >> Yes, sir. >> Yep. So inside the house, >> correct? >> And compatible. the cell company.
>> Nope. Just like your cell phone. So if you have an AT&T cell phone, you stand next to Verizon tower and we take the RSSI at the time of appointment. Um so all our guys have a uh you know this is called an bridge.
Looks like a thumb drive about a little thing on it. All I got is the time of appointment. All you do is you clean this in the back. On that just let you know the bottom's on. Now it's connected to the network.
And so now Yeah. India or a brick building at least an RSI. >> That's my question. What about the ability for it to transmit through? I mean I know the problem we have with the radio reads is >> we had problem not transmitting out in
the street that was to get the next high foundation as possible so we would be able to transmit out. Yes. So we would we training what we do is we have um we have two different types of
antennas. Um so we don't our guys don't leave until they have an RSSI that's acceptable. So whether that's running uh running the you know an antenna up to the floor joist. Um and then the rare the rare occasions so for example like the science building at Bridgewater um
it's you know 40t below grade like a concrete building. So we did we had to run we ran three antennas and got it up and outside and it hasn't had any issues since. So we you know typically um I mean we we've been able to we've been able to
find a solution for for every dead zones. >> So the only there was uh there was a farm out in Bridgewater that uh required like a booster pack. Um but we were able to provide Metro we were able to provide
that uh and that boost the coverage in the whole that whole area. >> Yeah. So before I came to this meeting and started saying all these things we we have a meeting and so we went through your
propagation study map like the not the one that you see at the cell store. >> Yeah. >> The actual one. Um, and so that's why I say like this about 15% would need an antenna just to keep that RSSI, you
know, ideal. Um, but everything else, you know, you know, >> this location is >> Yeah, this one. >> Oh, really? >> Oh, good. I get in front of you. probably one of the worst.
>> Oh, that's awesome. So, >> wi-i that would be a security night. >> So, what we talking about costwise for you know we're looking at
think about as a possibility but how many services are there? I was just kind of throwing a ballpack number they provide us with some some things we can discuss but it just I think we trying to see what the accountability
would be from that and how would they try to isolate just see what those meters mean old meters and see how they think differently now you've mentioned the large commercial. We have a couple
trailer parks have big meters and I think they water bigger water uses home all the time let the water walk throwing stuff on them >> 100%. So ideally uh and this is the way
we've always done it is when you do any you know whether it's a pilot or an actual deployment you always want to target your commercials first. They account for you know usually less than a quarter% of your accounts, but they
typically use 75% of your water. >> So, in terms of unaccountable water, and that's to us, that's always the the low hanging fruit that you do it first. And from, you know, public relations standpoint, it also looks the best because you you're doing the businesses. You're not going right after all the homeowners.
>> These would be the the um elderly like 65 older trailer parks. >> Yes. Big compound. Six 6 in 8 in meters. >> Yeah. So I mean those those you're going to be you know if you're saying they use
a lot of water uh and you know what you have census in. So you have >> those are all manual reads of those census. >> They're all they're all the census compound meters. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So I mean the change if it's like
say 8 in you're at uh between 25 or 35 gallons a minute. Um, and usually like the old stainless steel wings from those old uh compounds, they start to rot out. So what happens is all that low flow usage goes right by. So
>> that's one of the things >> until they're all 100%. I would, you know, I'd be willing to bet >> they have all their own proper lines of water leaks in there, >> it's going to be to the meter, but the meter's not picking up that low flow,
>> right? We're not in there because it's private. So we're not riding around bas real real sandy sandy are so little >> be doing commercial not just
mobile homes. >> No, but we're talking about a pilot program. >> But if you're doing a pilot program, then you do a pilot program for all your lo Not just those two >> we don't have that many commercially
biggest the big we have is green town and country the ball >> something elderly housing three tops all individual >> so that's really our only >> we have
you know high flow low meters >> I'm think we had problems with low flow meters before start registering. We had to replace checks in them and stuff to get them to register. But I think has been in there for 25 30 years.
Show what I spoke about. That's the exact reason those tracks. >> That's what happens all the time. So I guess we we we need to kind of come up with what we're looking for in terms of going to all commercial reads and then what pilot area so we can kind of get estimates. What do you think and also
what do you think might be savings possibly as well as a ballpark figure allows us to invest? Yeah, that's not a problem. I mean, one of the things I would suggest is do a dual range, right? So that you can get
an actual an actual pilot and get some actual data. So I don't know how many inch and a half and two inch you have um but I I would I would do you know some of your smaller commercial units too. >> Yeah. >> Um because your inch and a half and 2 in those are typically your biggest
uh is the older the older inch and a half and two measuring down below two gallons a minute. And so, you know, you have like a Dunkin Donuts or you have a restaurant um you know, one of our one of the biggest leaks that we've ever found uh was a restaurant whose sewing
machines was self cleaning overnight every night and they the timing was off. So, just constantly pushing all throughout the night. Um silly things like that. >> Ice makers, you know, commercial ice makers are another big one. Um that
they, you know, it's a low flow, but it's constant using water. So I I would suggest doing a range. Uh one of the things we can do too uh and I believe we provided that in the proposal but uh if you want what we can do to give you the true analysis is we also test water
meters. So we can test the meters that we take out so you know what your baseline is versus what you have going in as well. So you can see what the the real true return on investment is for each one of those. >> Sure. I think we're doing residential stuff. I
think it's kind of a tough challenge they see with comparison where you have a 2in commercial meters or the big compound change. You can see past consumption versus >> right
>> I think that's going to be like you talk about maybe place one meter and the revenue way up just on one. So that we that's happened a couple times and that happened uh that happened at Polar the Selzer company um out in Worcester. Uh
it happened at Ted Peanut Butter in Ever um I mean just off and it happened at Exxon Mobile as well. So I mean um and then it happened at the dorms at Bridgewwater. So I mean those are four accounts that when we changed just that
one meter alone okay range from $125,000 return to over 1.25 million in return. Um, you know, it just all depends on that which account it is. >> So, you look to recover your investment pretty quick in front of revenue that's
been lost over the years. >> Yeah. So, when when I full disclosure when I put it on paper, I I you know, under promise and try to overd deliver. So, I'll use your lowest tid rate and I'll give you the most conservative payback because if I put the payback
that we have seen on there, nobody would ever believe me. I'd probably be living down by the river show. So, uh you know, I just we've seen I mean I've seen up to 27% return on investment um right out of
the gate. So, I mean >> Yeah. The the thing is is it's you know there is no there's no it is what it is what it is right so we test the water meter if it's tested at c%
and based on thewa standards of that style meter right so your low flow start at you know 3/4 a gallon a minute but now we're putting a brand new meter in the low starts out 16 gallon a minute I mean it's to be honest with you It's
unfair once you actually start to do it because it's there's no there's no secret to putting it together. It's just putting a new accurate meter in that can give you one minute data so you can actually see it and making making that data uh you know actionable so you can
see those reports and see the revenue. I think one thing we need to be careful about if in fact there is the potential for that type of difference between what we're reading and what they're actually doing is going
to a town and country and saying we're going to do this to improve your recorded water use. As a result that your water bill is going to be substantially higher. So, we're going to be very careful on how we approach, you
know, the large commercial meetings, if that's what you want to call it, to make sure that they understand that this is only a pilot program. And if things continue to show, as they're indicating they they are that we're going to expand
this to include more and more of the town as we replace me, the meters are working out. So that it's not a just a additional cost on the first pilot program with the large commercial needs
that in fact we're moving forward in in such a way as that it will in some ways balance out across every user in town >> because if every user in town all of a sudden is reporting more we may be able
to reduce the rate or not have to increase the rate as we have in the often say we were behind the curve in upgrading the race. >> What the flip side of that too is if the actual production goes up they be more
conservation minded. Some will be again the the two large mobile home parks. I'm not sure each and every one of them really will be that concern because they do want to they
want to wash their their walkways and make sure they want green and watch the water flow down the street. They enjoy doing that some but and they don't take it >> divide that equally amongst all the residents what they do for the water
>> I don't know how they do this >> historically so I don't want to speak to those but uh just from our experience so just to give you an example in west law um same kind of situation right they split up equally the bill does go up
right uh what they end up doing is a lot of them end up submetering Um, and if they decide to submeter and it's something they want to do, uh, we can we can link uh their individual meters this and they would have the ability to see what was pumped versus what was needed
every day. So, similar to what you're trying to chase down is they have the ability to look at their account for water uh, every day as well. >> Yeah, they can do that. But then one, they're coming in and taking the initial calls coming through individual meetup because we don't care what's happening
inside those. Absolutely. You know, and what I'm saying what I'm saying is is just speaking from experience and you're 100% right. >> Um, you know, yeah. Will the bill go up? Yes. But to his point, so just laying the cards on the table. Um, I've been
involved good, better, or worse with this interview since I was six years old. So, I I got two years on you. >> What I could say is, uh, every time every time you do one of these projects, here's what happens. The first bills go up. Okay? people are going to be upset.
They're going to say, "No, there's no way." Now, I personally think from a PR standpoint, you get ahead of it. You let them know, you explain in the beginning when before you do the roll out, um that you just it's to get everybody on the same page because you have, like you
said, the rates go up when the accuracy of the meters go down and you have to make up for that unaccountable water to still supply all that water to all your customers. And the whole idea and what we've always tried to say is if everything's being read fairly, everyone's getting paying their fair
share, then you can stabilize the rates because now we're not trying to offset it to make up for the people whose reads we're not getting who is not accurate. >> So it's what it is is all you're trying to do is create a fair and level playing field so you can maintain the water quality for your constituents.
>> I agree with you there. Just making sure that we roll it out ahead of time so not they don't realize what's happening until they get first. >> Well, and that's and that's why That's why I led off with uh we are the only ones where you know homeowners can
um you know potentially get up to a 10% savings on their homes insurance premium. So you know that to me there's there's the you know there's the nugget in terms of smoothing things over from a PR standpoint. Not only you going to get the ability to view and monitor your
water. So if you do have leaks now what we're trying to do is give you a system that makes us proactive instead of reactive. Right? Because if you go out and read the is now, right? And say there's a lead by the time you get it and you download it. Well, you download it to send them a bill, correct?
>> So now you're like, "Hey, here's your bill for two grand. Oh, by the way, you have a leak." And it's like, "Wait a second. How come you didn't tell me when the leak started as opposed to waiting until you do my bill?" Well, it's well, we don't have that ability. Whereas here is, hey, you have the ability from day
one to sign up and have this software so you can police your own system. If you have a leak, you're responsible for fixing your own plumbing. That doesn't fall back on the town. So, if someone says, "Who cares? It's not worth it." Well, then they get their bill. We show them in the water scope because we've
walked through with people thousands of times now. Okay? And then they sign up for water scope. And then they realize, "Oh, it was cheaper to just pay my plumber the $285 to come out and fix the toilet even though he already brought me for 200 that 285, right? It was cheaper to pay him than pay the five grand of
water. Getting back to the question, what's the average cost of individual res? >> So for uh for that you're looking at 350 and that's for the that's evident that's following that's installed.
>> Nope. Add another 90 for installation. 44 >> 44 >> and commercial ones same thing. >> No, commercial vary uh based upon the size. >> I can send over I think I think it's including but it uh does vary on size.
Um here's the thing though that 350 is for the life that covers everything. So there's no monthly fee, there's no annual fee, there's no software maintenance agreement. all everybody else is going to have some sort of fee,
even a read fee. So, we have a direct agreement with Verizon. So, the same cell chips that are in your cell phone uh are the same ones that are in the register. Um we don't we don't work through any third party. So, the other uh there's now three other cellular
offerings, none of which that offer one minute data. one will give you a 15 minute data, but if you enact it, it affects the battery life of warranty and also cost more per month per read. Um, so, you know, a perfect example is, you
know, if you have 5,000 meters, do you want to be paying 5,000 phone bills every month? No. With us, you don't. The cost is the cost the cost and it never changes for the life of the system. Whereas in your initial agreement other with other offerings, it might be X
amount per month, but then after a few years because they deal with a third party carrier. Well, now all of a sudden, well, they renegotiated their rates and then that that renegotiation goes back on the custom >> the cost of replacing for 10 years for
that. There's no cost to replace it as well. >> Uh no cost on that. There would be no cost on the pass. Just whatever the labor is labor we do our own maintenance service me.
>> So if if a me head fails >> Yep. You can swap it out. You call us, we swap it out for you. Like we get you everything you need. We take care of it in the back end. There's no charge on that. It should be up to you guys to take care of it in the field. Um but you would know you would know about it six
months before it died. >> Then what if we wanted to have like the We have we have extra meters and meter parts and all that stuff. So say we want to have some extra meters and extra meter heads or internal components on hand in here. So if there's a failure, we don't have to take a call. You would
say, "Oh, we got to wait for three days for it to show up." >> Yep. >> So we just give you ones that aren't activated yet service. >> So we could have >> you could have a you could have supply of them without having to worry about I know exactly what you're saying is can I have a supply without the clock already
stopping? 100%. >> Yeah. So if I had like you know extra you know spare registers to put on correct >> or internal components should they fail debris >> change them out >> correct >> there's no there's no upfront cost you have for have those parts sitting on our
shelf >> oh so have stock and inventory >> you'd have to pay >> no but you're saying the heads warranted >> you know say we wanted to have five or six heads sitting here on our shelves so if one fails
We're not losing that revenue because they'll fail register. >> Um, you know what? That's a great question. So, no one's no one's asked that before. Uh, typically with the warranty, they would call me. But here's what I can tell you is every one of our customers, I keep a certain amount of
inventory on the shelf for. I mean, I'd be happy to give you five or six to keep on the shelf. >> I mean, I'll get a direct answer, see how that would affect me on my side of things, but I mean, if you Yeah. You wanted five to six wrenches just to have in a pinch. Yeah, I would be glad I can
work that out. >> What? No. >> What's the typical style need this style? >> So, it's it's all preference. Uh, so that's the altar. Um, you know, for a community like yours, especially if you're saying like you have a lot of uh
a lot of sand. Um, I'm a big fan. I'm I'm a big fan of the single jet. It's it's tried. It's true. Doesn't j up. Ultrasonic magne >> this is ultrasonic. Uh then that's a uh that's a mutated disc.
>> I would like to know like maintenance cost over 5 10 20 year period. What what can we anticipate keep these you know up running and then the replacement eventual replacement batteries that's >> Yeah. So my my biggest thing is what I tell everyone is uh you know looking at
20 life life cycle cost analysis right so at year 15 um is you know year 15 is where you know it starts to get that break even uh in terms of like you know yeah now it's you're looking at the the
back n so to speak um with every every life cycle cost analysis we've done against every other competitor you can do two of my systems for the cost the the annual and average maintenance cost of everybody else. So again, the upfront cost is that cost that you need to get
the year 15 before you even start batting and high above, you know, warrant like labor or stuff like that. Um and to be honest with you that's so uh this past year uh it so we are
considered um the fastest growing uh am you know am AMI company in America right now uh Metron's we're all American made we're out of out of Colorado we've been around since 1990 um but with the uh
with the technology so this technology came out initially in 2010 10. Um the one minute data came out in 2019. Um but it's it's what it's been. It's the the one minute data and then our ability to honor maintain our warranties
and the actual battery life. Um it's is what is put us in a position right now where uh you know it's we've been blowing up for the past five past five years. It seems like uh the product's gotten
better and better. Was there any other questions or anything that >> Thank you very much. >> Look forward to finding out more from your competitors and would be >> Yeah. I mean, >> what's that?
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. What I would say again, so that office stands if you want to I mean you want to take we have a case in Woscope all set up. I'd be happy if you have a problem account. I'll give you one, I'll give you five for free. Put them in, get some data, and then look at it from
there. >> So, I'm I'm more than happy to do I do a small pilot for free just so you guys can get the data and compare with anyone else. >> Appcate down the weekend.
I'm trying to avoid down. >> Thank you. Move on then to our next appointment which is from Missou. Thank you. >> So give you some project the main street
water project. We are fine tuning the punch list with some various items including some small items like waiting for some of the seated areas to establish properly properly. But then there's
other issues with certain cave boxes that are full of debris need to be cleaned out. Um, there's one that's [Music] the top of the box cut off and that was actually pointed out before
they did the paving and wasn't addressed. And then we're just noticing that there's a few gate boxes that did get paved over along the route. So Chris is going to go out tomorrow to double check and you
know get the inaccurate list of these locations. So then we can have a a combined list of sites. Um this recent payback that was approved in is in the
um some of the retaining 2% for these remaining items. So sorry money left to motivate them to come back to address those issues.
Uh we have almost I think got all the police details the invoices that we were expecting to have. So that's winding down getting those costs in. Um so that there's still a very small contingency
buffer there. hasn't gone negative yet. And at this point, other than just the final police details, um there, you know, could be some more of those for them to deal with some of
the punch list items, but still should be okay on that. That's all good. We did extend the NDOT permit by one year. Um, so that's good through May 31st, 2026
when they have to go out to do this >> work that they have do. It's it's going to require getting work request permission on that. So, it's good we got the permit >> um on the new well project.
Um person I met with cler yesterday to get an update on the project and they did get the pumps data back from our services and found that um the one test well 18-4 was found to have four times
higher specific capacity than 18-7. That's what the initial test well was had implied that that well appeared like it was a better producing location. It is a little bit closer to that wet area
that was pointed out before. Uh but their wetlands expert went out there and evaluated the area and they've determined it's a shrug swamp which is not classified as a wetland by mass DP. So it wouldn't trigger any special MPA
testing. um they wouldn't determine the well to be under the influence of surface water because it's not a it's not a body that holds water. It just gets wet certain times a year. Uh they did say that in terms of permitting with the town that the town regulations do
consider to be like a wetland. So when the permanent well and the pumpation works that will be within the buffer zone of that shrub swamp. So there'll just be
some extra permitting, you know, erosion control that needs to be done because it's in that buck and working with the conservation. Make sure we stay upront with conservation come
>> at the end that they want extraordinary amount of work done mitigate whatever >> potential impact or trouble. >> Yeah. They also presented three potential
access. Uh the most desired route as an alignment that continues the driveway at the track pump station um down past track pond itself.
So it would go south along the eastern edge of Traon. Um there's a Total length would be about,00 ft. There's a small section of it that's up near the pump station that would be
within the 100 foot buffer zone of track pond but it's in the range of 50 ft to 100 foot. It's not very close to Traon, but it does skirt within that 100 foot buffer zone. So Chris is going to meet with the conservation agent just to walk
him through that um before you know anything. So as of yet the the survey hasn't done a detailed survey on that room to identify the size trees is they did like a contour survey. So that's how these three different alternatives were
determined. It's also because it's the shortest of the roots that would have the least amount of tree clearing. Um it's also a little bit more um like friendly for the grading. Some of the other roots there's more ups and downs. So there's a little bit more build that
would have to get done. So that's the nice thing about that potential group. The other thing that was noted was the um water conservation bylaw. The town currently has a bylaw. We've talked about this in the past. The
current bylaw was based on a template that mass released when they first looking for communities to have a water conservation dialogue. I think it was the 90s.
They changed the template language because that old bylaw um was very specific about the water restrictions. So like doing an even odd. So the way that the current BR is it
says okay the um product even on watering this the new template language that D has is a little bit less specific. So it gives you more flexibility on putting in the
restrictions that you need to based on the water management permit based on road conditions. So if you need to reduce that down to like one day a week watering, you can. And it's not so specific in that language. So since it
is a bylaw, we've talked about this in the past, something that would have to get voted on at town be able to change. It's not just a rule of it's bylaw. >> Um so that's just something that I think we should start exploring now because um DP will be more fixated on it with the
pering for the new well. So I I don't want to see that in place. So between now and probably the fall, we need to get that situated. So then there's enough time. I know it was something that would have to go in front of town
council and all that since it's a bylaw change. >> Are you talking about fall town meeting? >> No, like for the next spring. I don't know if it's an option to do for the fall town meeting or not. So it's some I'm sure it will take some time with some back and forth. So better off
waiting till you have spring starting the the paperwork and the ground work dealing with the >> that would be soon enough >> so that in fact everybody's aware of it it's not coming up and >> catching people unaware of what we're trying to do whether it's conservation
or planning >> right >> yeah especially where summertime can be hard to get people >> focus on something like that to get it into the November meeting that'll be Um the SRF project evaluation forms,
EFS, those are the pre-application for the construction phase funding. Um those are due July 25th and Kleinfelders part of their scope is pulling down all together. So they're aware of that. Keep that on the radar.
The other funding type um issue we talked about the last the potential for state earmarks or actually state and federal ear marks, but the federal ones are a little bit right now. So, you know, there are some
that were awarded this past year that are like, oh, yay. And then, um, it's probably not going to go any chance right now, given the current climate, is to reach out to the state representatives and state senators. Um,
gave you a project briefing you had to look over just as >> you know they can be expanded on what you like if you wanted to add in anything about >> um development but it's you know that's a
little bit outside the purview of the water department >> kept it focused on just >> reading the itin about what we want in our and
get involved with a whole bunch of other political >> right >> potential. We're looking for an air mark for roughly $4.5 million better off$ five half million dollar >> cover the whole thing
>> uh and and keep it just focused on building a new well and you know >> the fact that you know the new well will allow you know growth in town you know is there the effect of life but you know as far as
the earark is concerned we're talking about strictly building a new well connecting that well to improve. So at least that's my opinion. >> Don't don't ask for a whole bunch of
support letters for different reasons. >> Now will we um Dr. Fernandez, do they just have their contact people contact you to give this to them or the best way to >> Yes.
>> They usually have key designated that's in charge of getting all these together for you know wherever and then they do whatever they need to do. Um the best thing would be well one we
need to identify who who's going to be the contact person you so is that Chris or one of the commissioners so you guys can think about that then for the project cost
I put in the funding needed as a million less than the project cost because the current designs being funed through the bonds that you guys got. Um, that wasn't to like try to sell you guys short. It was more just to show that you
got some for everything. But you can ask for the full amount if you choose. That's why highlighted it in yellow for you guys to think about that. My gut feeling at least my feeling is you know lending you
know Kathy state and you know what what the project is done does a good job doing it saying that you know the overall project is 5 a half million yes we you know come in and
got a million dollars for our design but ideally if we can get the M for the entire amount it will want a million dollar in the process of spending because there's no guarantee that 5.5 is going to be the bottom line, right?
>> Once we go up a bit, >> right? >> So if we drop down to four and a half and it comes in at 5.7, we're now behind. Yes, >> my gut jelly is we should be asking at least for an EMI for the total amount if
we can get it. >> We'll take anything they'll give us. Don't get after ask for the 5.5 >> and then you know >> half what we ask for school. >> Yeah, that's great.
So does it make sense to have contact or do we need someone or anything like that and stuff like that? >> Well, I just can't sign things. I I I have no problems in either you walk or blah blah blah or myself makes
you have technical questions usually that's only my concern. I want to be able to make sure that they have any specifics they need. I don't know that they'd have too many technical questions because it
>> it's more >> logistic kind of thing. So then as chair >> okay >> and then for other um support so there be there'll need to be
a cover letter from the board saying this and then typically there would be some other support letters from town. So I throw out you know select maybe town
administrator whatever other departments that you might be able to get just to express the importance of the project. I you know ideally you know um
the planning board since I looked at the teacher of the town because I'm not sure where the planning board is. There are a couple vacant >> I'm not sure they're building that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You know, it should be
>> feeling more water. >> I suppose they want as well. >> There's this associate focus more. >> So, I'll make some tweaks to project and draft a letter and then like a template
support letter that can be given to these others. They can >> reward it however they like. >> Yeah. As soon as you can get that to us, we can get at least the the cover letter from us plus the
project description, we can get that to the reps and then follow it up with the supplemental support letters. >> Okay, that's what I have. >> Thank you. Chris, what you got?
>> Um, been working pretty diligently with Stacy and getting the uh chemical co-op contract review, some editing needs to be done on those and then re redone those process getting
signed up for the end of this year. So, be pushing that this week. I've been in touch with Marino company for infrared to go over some of our winter patches and some of the other spots that are in tough shape. Right now
I tentative we have them coming out on the 23rd of June to do that. That's kind of weather dependent get day of rain and pushes them back a day. So see how that works out. The
office staff are doing a great job with the collections for delinquent bills. Their collection rate now is up to 90% which is fantastic. A great great job. A lot of time spent on it. So it's good to have that revenue coming in.
One account that we had payment arrangements with this resident was defaulted. Town stepped in some financial assistance to offset the debt owed.
They defaulted on that after we left the property made several payment plans and now the last letter we sent out and came back is a vacant property which I go by the house the house is not a vac
from the street you can see that there's things hanging up in the house things in the windows so I don't know if there's miscommunication between the post office and the occupants of the house or what Um there's a substantial amount owed
by this account. Um just trying to see what the best option is. Now we we try to work with this this resident on several occasions on payment plans. Um they defaulted. I think that we need to reevaluate the
situation and proceed with turn off of the water. >> What I would suggest you do is talk extensively with Keith. let them know what's happening, where we are today. The fact that it's come back as far as the meal is concerned as unoccupied when
we don't think it's unoccupied and say from our standpoint, we're going to notify the border of health as required by law that we're going to shut the water off and the building will become uninhabitable. And you know, but make sure that we we
cross all our teas and all our eyes, you know, especially since the town in a magnanimous way came up with some type of qua funding. The still didn't do anything.
>> All right. The TA take action on that account. attempts to coordinate reach home. It was identified that there is a internal plumbing leak that was allegedly repaired. We read the med
tracking of usage and the usage is still substantially high. So feel strong belief that there's still internal plumbing issues that haven't been totally addressed. There's all the reasons that it should be shut off and you know town's done everything it can in my opinion to try
and accommodate this one particular resident and to help that resident through you know payment plans and even that hasn't worked. So at some point we just need to say we can't do it any longer. we the
town, not just water department, because it's going to affect other departments in town, but we need to do it as a consolidated approach on how we uh deal with this particular problem. >> Yes. All right. I'll follow up with that this week.
Um, in the meetings that we've had with Clinfeld for the new well, uh, they've asked again if there's a proposed name or intended name or anything for the well or kind of as they go through the project
refer to the well as something >> lack of anything else at this point. I would just call it track number two. >> That's what we've been referencing it as for the time being. And that way at some point in the future
if everybody in town wants to put a name to it, they can put a name to it. But if it needs a name so that in fact the paperwork can be consolidated to a particular name, you know, track phone number, right? Um
back tester. I'd like to take try and make decision back testing. They mentioned that previous contract that we used for long number of years has retired.
Um I reached out to three different companies. It's tough to to get companies to take on the level of factual testing reporting that we're looking for here. I did get two companies that come back
with with quotes. One company no longer does it, which is a larger company. So, we have some discussion if possible, you know, make a motion to move forward with that. Time is kind
of the essence and to get this stuff done. Usually do it in the spring and the fall into summer. >> Look at the two there. Is it >> there's a third letter that says >> yeahorporation.
>> How are the prices? So those testing and talking to them looking at their cost. their cost is substantially higher per per test with a lot of other fees
that could be put in there for any lesser cost of the two is Weston Samson which is slightly above what we were charging per test with the previous testing. and they have a data import fee that's a
one time pay it once and that that goes away never comes back then it's just the per test fee and then there are additional fees for extending circumstances should it be um you know balls in a confined space which none of them are
>> now with less than intention this is a guaranteed contract for one year or what's the time frame I would have to look and see what the >> expires on December 31st, 2025.
>> So, we usually do spring and fall. So, that would cover the year. >> Yeah. And basically no matter what the costs are, the costs are basically borne by the
energy that has the back. >> Correct. That that cost is passed off. We had a small administrative fee for our >> but if there was a confined space and they added additional money to it, that wouldn't be really coming from our
budget that would be passed on to >> the consumer. >> The consumer. >> Correct. Yes. you know, looking at the two of them and you know, I I would make the recommendation at this point that uh we contract with Western
it's going to be the same work. There's no lesser that Samson's talking about. >> It's the same it's the same work. It's the same same testing, the same reporting, the same format of submission of reports to us.
>> And Western's a a known entity in the area, not only for this type of work, but for general engineering. So, it's not like it's not that it means anything to me, but I've never heard of known
known back incorporated before. But >> I I guess I was I was reaching because there's not very many people take. >> So at least we're talking about one the lower of the two prices and two a company that at least by name
recognition and by activity in the area they're known to the area as a equality firm. So I with that I'll make I'll make a motion to retain what's chang seconded and approved.
>> I just have one question on that Chris. Sure. We typically do this in the spring and fall. Right now we're talking about mid June. >> Are we only going to have the annual because it wouldn't make sense to do the spring ones now and then turn around on
two months. >> They might take and do them a little bit later. All right. So, we'll just go off. But it's a contract. Okay. So, as long as we agree to the contract. >> Yeah. I mean, I could follow them tomorrow and ask. It's a great question to ask them. >> Yeah. >> You know, we're kind of late in the game for the the spring testing, but I think
when I talked to talked to them previously, they look to get the spring testing done like a month behind schedule and then do the fall testing a month behind schedule and then it'll be more regular for us. >> And you might talk
back Do you think is a valid thing from your standpoint is whether or not you can look at this point of assuming that your work is sufficient of extending it for an additional year so that we're not
you know we're not behind the >> exact game again next year. >> Yes. >> Well, we're behind the game. No fault of our own. >> I know that. But if we can talk to them and say, can we use these same figures
and extend it through >> December of 2026 instead of 2025, >> right? >> It it it just gets it back into to the rotation we wanted, right? So that the inspections are done earlier in the spring, >> right?
>> So motion made >> it was just the timing of everything. >> Yep. >> Kurt give us his notice and then find somebody else. >> Yes. So I need that information to report the sales generate through the
ASI information. So but they they will take care of all the reporting else they just give me a final report. >> And then I just had the um notice that we generated if you can review it on the last page here.
um those cheap that's out of our lot of excerpts out of our rules and regulations um for enforcement for the water restrictions where we tightened up on that to two days a week. There is quite a bit of
water outside of the the restriction hours. Um we have getting fielded several calls from neighbors passing by that concerns about the water that's going on. So, we generated this. I want to present it to
the board for their review and approval. Um, this be the highlighted there kind of fill in the blanks. Um something we could print off on department head bright color paper right in their door and record that either
hand delivered in their hand in their door that they receive that. So if it's something the board feels appropriate >> include, you know,
technical wrestling. >> Yeah, >> I try to keep it as simple as I could with the pertinent information. >> I agree with Chris. I think the one thing that we should be doing since we're going from two days a week to one day a week is that the rest the further
restrictions and the hours are based on requirements from D. >> You know, it's not us. >> It's not the board saying we want, you know, further restrict your use of the water. We're being told by D that we must do this. I can rework this state
and follow D's >> requirements >> from I don't want to make something that's too long. People are going to they're going to see >> you know the the fines are going to be
recorded on their account here and they're going to see that and they're going to comply. But I don't want to make something. >> What I'm saying is we could double that and put to us about the broad level. >> Sure. >> Yeah.
>> You know, see reverse side the D. >> Yeah. This is freshman. Yeah, >> I just, you know, the guys doing the best they can now for enforcement and driving around and see someone outside violating the water
restrictions. They knock on your door in the yard. It's an educational thing, but I don't really want to take it at half the hands. I want more of a educational things. That's the >> other than that. That's all I have.
>> Anything else station we have going on? >> No, I just put in the two um communications that we sent out at the last meeting. >> Yeah. signature on the reorganization 345 for subsequent meetings this summer.
>> Is that okay? >> Yearly today accepted.