All right. So, we'll pretend like this is working. Um, it is just after 4 Tuesday, March 24th. All the town of Kingston will move forward water commissioners to order. Uh, bills have been signed and we're going to table the minutes from 3:10 to next meeting. Um,
Kristen isn't engineer on the Zoom yet. So, we're going to go out of order and just kind of go to our water superintendent update first and hopefully she'll be joining us shortly. What you got? All right. So, I met with
the uh town administrator, the fire chief, uh Luckman Emberg, uh in regards to the fire hydrant concern down at Lower Main Street there. We had a pretty in-depth discussion regards to fire hydrants maintenance,
service and procedures that we use here. He explained our our procedures that we do for maintaining and servicing the hydrants uh rotating basis through the years. So it's takes about two years, two and a half years through the whole town, the crew that we have. So this
summer here, we'll kind of flip back and start back at the town line and work our way through. Um, we're going to give a little more scrutiny to the hydrants in the 3A Florida where the state uses higher caliber deicing agents of mag chloride and salt and higher dosages.
So, we kind of evaluate those bolts that hold those together a little more closely as best we can. If we think there's something suspect, we can remove a bolt and evaluate it closer. There was discussion about the possibility of replacing all the hydrants in town and
it's just not an economical feasible project to take on. >> Is there a better product out there? >> No, it's just the age. I think it's the age and the the location, the proximity to the road and with the size deicing agents. >> Do you know any towns that have replaced
functioning hydrants? >> No. >> It's not a common practice. What's their lifpan usually like? How old are they right now? A lot of the hydrants in town they depends of where you are. The oldest section of town a lot of that stuff has been renewed. So a lot of stuff is going
back in like the 70s and 80s and up. >> Might get a few older ones here and there but >> what's their lifespan typical? >> To be honest you have to look into that. >> Longer than we're alive usually. >> Yeah we have hydrants that since the 40s. So >> you don't have a list of hydrants in
years they were installed do you? I was looking through there is a file there that has a lot of records in there that shows like when they were installed at ballpark when they were installed but it's a lot of that stuff those it had been replaced down main street and broke street all those h its have been when the water got renewed the h it got
renewed so the big areas have been renewed I missed the meeting I thought about it and I got screwed up on another meeting so I wasn't there the thing that's important to understand is this particular winter was a tough winter
But maybe we ought to be asking um Mass Highway to look at what they're using for the amount of chemicals they're using and the chemicals they're using. I know that you can drive parts of the Mass Pike and you'll see low salt zones. You know, uh just because they can put
on what they want to put on doesn't mean that it's beneficial to one the environment. I mean, we had this same discussion with U. Paul, our former highway superintendent, he really didn't care that in fact you could kill everything with the amount of
salt and chemical he was using. I mean, there are, you know, areas that we should be extremely concerned about as far as, you know, what they're using and the amount of chemicals. >> Sell Street would be one of them. You know, >> um Chris, um the last
um batch of of water tests we've done on South Street, is the sodium level up? No, no, no. Was within limits. So, >> what about nitrogen? >> I don't think nitrogen was up either on any of the sites. So, were no detects
nitrogen and stuff. So, I get those samples be coming up. Not not sodium, but um the nitrogen samples be coming up this coming up quarter. So, next quarter. >> Those have been pretty stable over the
years. So, and check and see if they do become a little bit less stable. >> Are they are they concerned about these failing or what was the origin? Was it that one hydrant that wasn't working when they needed it? Is that the one that started all this? >> It was in operation then it failed the
the bolts on the safety flange where it just rusted and the hydrant broke. >> Okay. >> There was another hydrant that didn't drain because it's high ground water there. The ground water filled the barrel of hydrant and froze. >> You know, comes in through the drain and anything can come out through the drain. And
>> there way of fixing that without changing the hydro. >> You'd have to plug up the drain and then manually pump it out every time you were done. >> It's and that's becomes a you know someone uses a hydrant to flush the dirty water. Someone steals water out of it. >> And they actually skipped one hydrant
that you know further down Main Street to pick up. They didn't pick up the hydrant at Old did they? Even though that's connected to the system. >> No. No. They were getting radio adisements to get to that, but I think it was an access issue with the used Kyle lot into the parking lot in there,
but they went from in front where Bona block was. That one was froze and they went further up to the end of crossing the street and on Smith Lane. >> So, >> but had they gone to Old Orchard, if they could have got to it, it would have been quicker and been closer to the
>> It's I don't much as it's in the parking lot at Jiffy there on the main supply. So it's parallel to old orchard. You wouldn't really see it's old on old orchard much as in the parking lot to the auto. >> There was also a question whether or not
there was the concern that somebody was trying to make sure that you know their flack their side was covered so we can put the blame on on somebody else or some other department because those things happen sometimes in government.
So I would think the most proactive measures going forward as we can you know with everything. So >> is time and fire kind of they they all set with everything in now or they self expectations for something else to be done or where they at? >> No I think it was a that we're happy
with we're going to give it more >> okay >> little scrutiny as much as we can you know something that the fire department feels that they want checked out further they'll bring to our attention we'll absolutely look into it immediately. >> Okay. And it would be nice that they would notify us and not have to involve you know the town administrator or the
slutman. You know there should be a communication between water and fire that there is a concern that we can react to. I was advised that this hydra concerns go back into the 90s u with two three
chiefs ago and I said I can't speak for anything back then. I said, ' But I know when I uh made Foreman and I took a very proactive stance to get out and service hydrants and paint hydrants and one of those former chiefs approached me on numerous occasions and said, "Ye doing a great job. The hydrants look great. You
can see them. They stand out now." So, you know, it was a good proactive stance on the department's part. Then we try to maintain that. It's a big piece of safety equipment that's out there for the residents of the town. >> Looks like Kristen's joined us. Do you want to finish up or you want to like
>> No, I can I can go through real quick here just so I'm clear. Um, >> we did speak with the town administrator. He was going to check in with town council a little bit further uh to see if there's any other concerns as far as he needs to get the any
approvals or changes to the rules and rags uh before the town meeting body. I'm still waiting to hear back from town administrator on that. And I received the response that from the town administrator that it appears that the town ministry and the board are starting to have no concerns with the
acco. So now we're going to hear back from town council. It's been a challenging communication line now that um Councilman Preventure has left the firm trying to move forward and re get everybody else up to speed now. So
that's been a bit of a challenge. So, as far as we're concerned right now, it's just a rules and reg. We we still don't we don't haven't heard of we have to do a bylaw thing for the time. Correct. Okay. Uh, one last bit of business here is that been talking to
the town administrator today. Um, the time war is closing and we're still kind of in a a bizarre holding pattern with the budget stuff not having the retained earnings certified and budget stuff
done. So, I'm going to ask that the board um makes a motion to vote on to move forward with three articles as placeholders with no dollar amounts on them because that's unknown at this time to get on as a placeholder at the town meeting. Uh one is to fund water tank
maintenance for the Smith Lane water tank primarily. uh to fund the purchase of a new truck for the superintendent and to approve the well cleaning and pump replacement if needed for the South Street well.
>> In addition to that, that water tank being covers FY27's obligation as well as >> Yes. So that'll be the to refurb the Elm Smith lane tank to kind
we can catch it now. It'll be a better position than waiting another year or two years where it's going to be a a strip and refinish >> and we just did >> might have been the last time we painted it. We were all concerned that it may not be able to be painted and we're
fortunate there to repair whatever repairs they did to make. So we're going to make sure we don't get to that point again. >> Yeah. So, right now we're we're right at that bridge where if we don't take proactive >> maintenance, >> like real soon, we're going to get into
a much more costly repair. >> So, they can they can do an over coat now as opposed to a um blast and refinish. And without knowing what our certified cash is, we've got to basically, you know, go into the worst case scenario as far as funding is
concerned. You it goes back to, you know, what's happening at town hall and whether or not uh they're expeditiously, you know, >> completing the financial review of 2025. >> So that issue still is yet to be
resolved from >> the still waiting. >> This was like back in November was supposed to be done, right? We still haven't got our retained earnings certified. We still haven't done our budget, formal budget entries to create the budget to bring to the town meeting floor. So, >> but this isn't just the water department.
>> This is townide county department. >> Is it uh I had a meeting Monday with the town in the tax collector. They were looking for updates for borrowing for the new well project
for construction. um as that's we're too far off from that really to still in the the permitting and design phase. And then that's when I was informed that the $900,000 we had borrowed to do
design and um well development. We're going to start paying on that and that we we're going to be expected to pay $300,000 a year back towards that loan. Um that was not on the the debt schedule we received from the tax collector for
budget. Uh >> so that impacts budget >> that impacts. >> Yep. >> So that that wasn't on there. And then I asked about you know what our potential for um retained earnings would be in the town. It's not much about $160,000
which is usually a lot more than that. We usually up around it was like 350 to half a million we usually have for retained earnings. But she didn't find any >> that was just a from her. So >> it's kind of hard to believe that know
the town as a whole is so far behind where we should be. It's not just the water department. It's every single department in town has got this same >> thing being held over their head because the town accountant isn't doing their job.
>> What kind of accountability do they have? Is there anything we can do as commissioners up there to shake the tree a bit and get moving here? >> No, the the town accountant, Carly, has the the former town accountant in there providing assistance to rectify things
and then the interim town administrator that we had in here. Uh he's been brought on board to also assist the town in rectifying the budget from last year to close out last year's budget so we can move forward. Are they being required to go before the selectmen to explain themselves on a routine basis?
Because this to me is like egregious that that we're at this point. >> It is. Yeah, totally. I agree with you. >> It's in the town administrator's hands and the board of staff's hands. It's >> town meeting that asked. >> Unfortunately, we're all in the same position. I think all the other from
what I've the other departments and boards are >> just as frustrated. >> Well, the way we're going, we're going to have a town meeting and not going to be able to present a budget. Yeah. >> Not a budget that we have any faith >> in town. >> Yeah. >> No.
>> So, I just asked the board um here are the the three articles if you want to review them real quick. It was kind of a last minute thing. >> There's there's no dollar amounts on them because >> it's unknown factor. It's just really a placeholder right now. I spoke with the town administrator. He said we'll be
okay. We can >> straighten things out and >> I'll make a motion that we Um because what I'm going to do it's it's a it would be a motion to approve those three articles to forward to the town administrator as placeholders with unknown cost uh for the upcoming town
meeting. >> All right. There's a motion on the floor to approve the three. Uh so voted. So that's all that I have. Thank you. All right. Um no first >> number three update for
>> Oh right. Sorry, I didn't have that on my thing. So, I spoke to um Reagan team Reagan about me calibration and the like. So, there's those costs are in there. That's one cost. I have
another um company that's going to be coming in I'm going to meet with tomorrow to uh discuss meter calibrations in the potential for leak detection and some other um
possible services. So this is one quote that I've received. I'm looking to get at least two other quotes to uh move forward with that. Okay. But this would as as you can see there it would be for the scope of work I think was for the
lab meters and then the larger um commercial meters. >> Right. And the other quote you're getting is going to be basically along the same lines as far as what you're asking them to do. Correct. We're looking we're only looking at a
>> one particular type of service. We're not looking for them to do other things beyond the calibration. >> Correct. It'll be broken down if it's it's because I'm looking at leak detection is one thing. So, it'll be a separate quote for leak detection. It'll be a separate quote for um meter
calibrations. >> One thing I get concerned about is, you know, is one quote being looked at from a company that's really looking at doing two or three things? Is Reagan really looking at the testing and
calibration for the large meters? Is that all they're looking at? Or is Reagan also looking at U leak detection? Because, you know, if if Reagan's doing one thing and company B is doing two
things, the numbers don't necessarily work in parallel. >> Sure. I say with uh the scope of services that these companies offer and the limited availability of companies that offer these services. So with leak detection um it can be challenging to find companies that will do an entire
system companies do spot leak testing or not be I don't know exactly what this company has for equipment. I'm going to find out more. I mean it might not be it's even an option. >> Okay. >> But I'm going to discuss that with them. But um one of the things they do is typically is the uh meter calibrations leak detection. I don't know what the
scope of the capabilities are. >> Are they going to be able to give us any kind of an estimate once they recalibrate a meter as to how much loss? >> They can tell you right up front because they'll tell you if it's reading 80%
100% what the accuracy. It's an accuracy test. So they're isolate the meter. They're going to flow certain flows a certain time. >> So they can say that it's 80% accurate. So that means there's 20% that is >> unaccounted for. Can they estimate how much water that that that might be?
>> I'm not sure. It's it's when they do the calibrations on the the master meters of the wells, they when they will isolate it, they'll do their test and we'll see on >> What I'm interested is finding information to provide D about >> because I mean we're clearly going to be doing something. Okay. What do we find
out? >> They need to be calibrated. Okay. Well, what was lost >> before we recalibrate it? I would like to find that out if it's possible. I I want to maybe there's some confusion on the statements or I want to explain. They're not going to necessarily come in and calibrate the meter. They're going
to come in and do a flow test and they're going to check on the accuracy of that meter. So, if you're flowing, he's going to have a calibrated certified calibrated meter that he's running that water through that's going through that meter. He's watching it gallon for gallon. >> These are adjustments that may or may not be able to be made at that time, but
you'll be able to see if his meter matches up to the flow. He puts a thousand gallons through his meter, but the other meter only shows 850. It's, you know, 8 85% what's reading what it should be reading. So, you'll have that percentage and how much water has flown through that pipe over the past.
However, that would be >> you might have have a range, but that would be numbers that we could use. I I think the concern is that if if the meters at the pumps they're calibrated and pumping at 100% if in fact you know ABC companies you know their meter is
only you know showing an 80% there's a 20% loss of of water and that's going to be looked at from D as far as unaccounted for water loss. >> That's what I was wondering. >> So if we can find find numbers Yeah. or
find ways to re-calibrate the old meters so that they're recording it at 100%. If if the recalibration doesn't work and we continue to lose water by gallons like that, we need to think about replacing the old meter with a new meter so that
we're getting accurate, you know, information on it. >> The new meter will pay for itself over time just >> over time. But, you know, it's time is money. >> Yep. All right. Anything else then? >> Toss it over to Kristen then.
>> Okay. Um, yes. Sorry for the late entry. Can you Oh, can you hear me? Can you hear me? Okay. >> No, we're not hearing her. >> Hold on one second checking. >> See if we got >> Looks like it's on. I don't know. >> Can you hear us? No. >> Yeah, I can hear you. She can hear us. >> You can hear us. We can't hear you.
>> Okay. >> This is on, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Can you hear me? >> Kristen, can you hear us? >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Something going on.
>> Check the sound over there. >> Can you hear technology here. >> There you not muted it. Show >> Yeah. Are you able to hear me at all?
>> Oh, now we can. >> Okay. Stacey did her miracle working as usual. >> Okay. >> Ask to repeat it. >> She clicked the on button. >> Could you hear our conversation before, Kristen? >> Yeah. Yeah, I was able to hear you.
>> Okay. All right. >> Okay. So, um yeah, as uh following up on what Chris was talking about associated with the the new well project, um Chris and I did meet with
um Kleinfelder and Ryder from our services earlier today to talk about, you know, getting back going with the um test wall work. They are going to meet with Chris out on
site next Tuesday in the morning to take a look at the site again. And Ryder with Mar Services is going to have his um drill rig operator at this meeting. So since he's the one that seems to have
the final say on driving the rig down to where it needs to be, it's important for him to be there to say, "Yeah, I need this done, that done." so we can just get it done and get the rig out there. So that's next Tuesday.
Um based on their schedule, uh they plan on getting back out to the site with the drill rig on April 8th. And so that will give Chris and the guys
just about a week or so to do any kind of site improvements that need to be done. Um they are going to spend about a day drilling, put in the install the screen the second day and then develop the well in the third day. At that point they
will be mobilizing in a smaller rig to actually do the pumping and surging of the well. Um Kleinfelder said that they'll need about a week or two of ambient monitoring data before that pumping and
surging starts. So Kleinfeld is going to go out on site and install a data loggers in the um the monitoring wells that are have already been installed around to start collecting that ambient data. And so they'll get that, you know,
before pumping conditions and then they can compare the before pumping conditions with the pumping and after pumping conditions to determine, you know, the calculations on the environmental impacts.
Um, while this is going on, Kleinfelder said that they're working on the environmental notification form permit to try to keep some concurrent work happening. And they also um just asked about the cont conceptual site plans that they
gave along with that conceptual floor plan. Um and Chris, you said that was in their packet from last time or this time, I'm not sure. >> Last last time. if the board any a chance to review the
um conceptual draft of the floor plans for the new well that were in the previous packets that you had. >> I remember looking at it but also I remember thinking that um it really comes down to what works for you. >> Yeah.
>> And so um it would be foolish for me to make suggestions on how what the flow plan should look like since I I don't operate the the website. Sure. You do. So you tell us what you need and that's what wind up in business. >> Right. You just a couple of highlights
from that. Um I requested that the roof pitch be away from opposite of the doors. The doors going the gable ends for snow loading. We have that issue down 186. It's a terrible fight every winter. >> Um >> and then the way the grading is and
containments for chemical storage. So there'll be a flush mount grading system like we did at grassy hole treatment plant and a track of pond treatment plant for for wheeled barrels of chemicals and walk right in at a smooth transition at floor grade. Um the
chemicals be isolated this one of the decisions that recommendations I would like to see is different ways that the chem pumps are mounted. The way that the chem pumps are mounted at track upon a grassy hole it's not user friendly. It's not conducive to maintenance. They're
against the wall. They're just susceptible to any leaks that drain right on top of them, damage the pumps. Um, it's challenging to get you line of sight appropriate to make adjustments to to the speed of the pump. You put yourself in a hazardous location under
any potential drips or leakage from the piping above it. So, uh, client had proposed or presented a skid unit that would be kind of a its own spill containment that's kind of away from it's not mounted directly on the concrete wall. So, I kind of like that
that option as opposed what we have now. I think the piping was laid out better, not directly over the pumps to cause damage to the pumps if there is a leak in the chemical feed lines. >> So, just some things that I think that it would be more user friendly, you know, for the treatment plant operators as they're in
there. as opposed what we have now just from past experiences of what works and doesn't really work so well. >> Now clearly that's a decision that you know you and staff that's out there working it on a daily basis needs to have the final input. I think what we
need to do is to make sure that we're strongly supporting whatever you see is necessary for you know the building. I mean, we can talk about what the aesthetics are or what it looks like on the outside, but how the the operation
of the uh well works that's strictly within the purview of of you as superintendent and not as three platime, you know, water commissioners. >> No, I think I can agree with that. So, I appreciate that feedback. So, I'll kind
of I'll work with Kristen and Kleinfelder and refining the conceptual drawings and present something to the board when the time comes that would be more of a final proposal. >> If so, if it gets to the point where Kleinfelder says they want to do it that way and you don't want to do it that
way, that's where we need to step in and say it's our building, it's our superintendent, you will do it the way we want it done, not the way you think it should be done. Yes, >> I think that's important as far as the communication understanding of the communication as
far as Kleinfeld as far as Kristen's concerned the ultimate decision will be yours with our support. >> Okay. Well, is that good enough feedback Kristen? >> Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I think based on that we'll be able to they basically had
given you know two options for a very conceptual floor plan site plan at this point. you know, they didn't want to get too far down the road with a design before shifting gears. So, we'll be able to give them that and then they can, you
know, start doing some more getting their teeth into the design some more, you know, with their disciplines and really looking at, you know, structural architectural type things that you'll want to get more involved with.
The um so that's that. the um update about any funding programs. So, we we did speak with them about that and asked them to take a look at other possibilities for funding since uh we
don't have the SRF and seems like not mass works right now because we don't have the the private partner. Um there is potential for ear marks still happen. Uh you know for a while they stopped doing those but now they're doing those
again. Um and >> um about the ear marks. >> Yeah, they're both local and federal. So the um Bass Waterworks had sent out an
email saying that Ed Marky and and Elizabeth Warren's offices were accepting sort of like you know just they're not really applications as much as interest submittals to give them information
about here we have this project and you know it it's all based on some like community need. So, um, I forwarded that all into Kleinfelder and hopefully they've had some experience with that
program to figure out if it's worthwhile for this project, what we would need to do to make this project desirable to them because they'll get an influx of, yeah, we, you know, everybody has projects, everybody has need, but how do
we set this project apart? you know, if if we're able to if they're still going to be looking for that things that are more jobreated or housing related, it's you know, we're in the same boat as
with the mass work. So, we'll I sent that to them. We'll touch base with them again um you know, later this week since these things have a deadline. So, we want to keep moving on on these as much as possible to see if they have any
thoughts on that or any other funding programs that we should be applying for. >> When I talked to uh the town planner last week, she was she stressed that there's nothing she can talk about publicly right now. So, it seemed like there might be stuff coming up in the
near future. Obviously, we might miss the deadline for this spring, but next spring, um, if we're starting into some of the the next phases, we're we're still able to to apply then hopefully and get some more then or is there
anything that's going to prevent us? >> No, that you know, the the timing of the project, I think with the Mass Works program, not as rigid as SRF. So, uh, for the Mass Works program, they don't require
you to include a bunch of their standard terms and conditions like the SRF program does. You know, SRF wants to you to get specific language in the contract before you bid the contract. >> With the Mass Works program, they don't
do any of that. So, you could be, you know, under bid and get money from Mass Works. You know, I'm not sure how far into the project before they'll say, "No, we can't find the project's too far along." But certainly next spring it
won't be too far along. You know, we'll we'll just be getting to that point hopefully that we're looking at bidding the project. Um so, but you know, that's all predicated on the permitting.
So, but yeah, so we'll definitely if the suitable partner project comes to fruition, leverage that through that Mass Works program. All right, Chris, I just real quick with the well stuff there um because it's in
the packet here, >> excuse me, the um potential options for uh driveway access um final coatings on the top, whether it was going to be gravel or the porous pavement or crush stone or or asphalt.
And I would recommend and prefer uh a traditional hot mix asphalt uh grove for longevity, >> ease of maintenance. You know, it's going to be a a >> delivery of chemicals. Yeah. >> Multitude of reasons. You know, it's
going to involve a little more cost associated with that for drainage mitigation, runoff, um due to the location and proximity to the the wetland. We have the dirt road that goes out to Soul's pond and it's a constant maintenance issue. It's it's a constant
cost of materials. Uh it gets beat up in the winter. You get a little puddle then next thing you know it's a big puddle. >> It's just I I think in plowing, winter maintenance, summer maintenance, everything. It's I think it'd be a lot better off for us. So, I would recommend that we go with
the I know it's more costly option, but a paved driveway length in there would be the way to go. >> I absolutely agree. To think that we're going to build a new well site that is a high volume well site and talk about putting in a gravel road to it. That
makes absolutely no sense at all. You know, yeah, it's costly to do the drainage and mitigation, but you know, we need to have clear, concise access to that site at all times and to stop
messing around because it's in the woods. It doesn't make any sense long term as far as the tolerance concerned from my standpoint. >> I agree. I totally agree. And and that's that's where you know if there is a decision to be made if your recommendation is that we go with hot
asphalt this board ought to be saying there is no discussion. It will be an asphalt roadway. It's not you know it's not Kleinfelters and it's not the conservation commission or anybody else's. It it's what we need to do to
make sure that you have access 24 hours a day on lots of tree falls. And when you desperately need access because of some of an event, you better be able to get there. And if the event is weather related, it'll be almost
impossible with the deer. >> Yeah. Another discussion that had come up also um was fencing. And my recommendation would be to have the permanent fence around the existing track pond. Well, the double gates to the back that'll end the fence there. No
fence along the duration of the road. That way wildlife can pass through. It's less impeding to anything and it's less damaging to trees and else fall. And then a permanent fence around the structure to meet the requirements with D. >> Sounds good. >> All right. Sorry, Chris. I just wanted to, you know, just discuss those real
quick with the board. I know they cover those our meeting. So, >> yep. No, those are all good points. >> The other thing, Krist, you know, we're now approaching and I know a lot of people going to be asking where are we from a funding standpoint. Does
Kleinfelder have any idea what the cost of building the student well is and bringing, you know, the well up and tying it into uh the Truckle Pond uh treatment facility? >> Uh no. So now that they've started the
conceptual design, we can ask them to take another look at the project cost. So beyond the the number that was submitted with the pro the SRF project evaluation form last summer, they have
not provided another update at this point. So that the cost that they submitted for the SRF was about 7.5 million. So which would have some contingency in there.
Um, but they need to revisit that cost now that there's like an actual, this was before there was any kind of even a conceptual building footprint that they had to come up with that number >> because we need to be looking at that
along with the the potential of replacing, you know, all the residential meters in town. >> Yeah, there is, you know, a tall total dollar amount. >> Yeah. Well, and and securing funding for that. So, if the project is going to be
bid next spring, the funding needs to be lined up, you know, and even if it's there's still avenues being pursued for getting funding assistance through grant programs, there still needs to be some
sort of plan in the meantime for borrowing just in case those fall through. >> That's absolutely. So, that was part of the information that Chris had for his meeting on Monday. Um, Chris, not sure if the financial adviserss had any
thoughts on when that discussion should start on the borrowing for the construction phase. >> So, there was nobody from a financial advisor from uh the town that was there other than the town and the tax collector. Um,
>> oh, okay. It was my understanding that there was going to be attending via Zoom was going to be a loan officer for the town and also the town administrator which was not the case. Um they were looking to get some preliminary costs and timelines on
borrowing things whether they could roll the first 900,000 we borrowed for engineering and design into the loan for construction. It's the timing isn't going to work out to be able to roll those two together. >> Right. So it'll be two two separate
debts that'll be uh taken care >> repaid. Okay. >> Again, my concern is that the appearance that the town accountant doesn't have a solid handle on what's happening uh to rely on her expertise may not be in the
long-term best interest of the department or the town. >> Yeah. Well, well, we we will need them to be somewhat involved for if the borrowing has to be, you know, open market local borrowing for we do we
will will need them to engage on that. So, we should start having those discussions with them. Um, I'll have I'll talk to Kleinfelder about revisiting the overall project cost and
then we can maybe once the um Springtown meeting focus is through, we can sit with them to talk about the construction phase borrowing, you know, starting in the
summer because that time passes fast. >> Um, okay. So, other things. So, at least though they're going to get back out on the site and we can get try to get back on track here. Uh, they did provide an updated
schedule, you know, and lost a little bit of time with the the winter. Um but hopefully there's still an opportunity that maybe the time can get made up with the permitting reviews which they've in their schedule they've been conservative
about. Um you know that we can hope for that if D expedites reviews we could make up a little time that way. Um other things the um South Street well cleaning did. Um
Chris, did you send that up to town hall? >> I did. I sent that up to town administrator for review as a procurement officer and I would expect he's going to forward that off to town council for review. I did let him know that that was the same format we used
for the most recent track upon cleaning. just changed the uh the name of the site and the location of the site >> to reflect South Street. Well, so I'm waiting to hear back from I did ask him about that uh in an email yesterday and again today in person. >> Okay.
>> I think right now he's kind of focused on trying to get some of this budget stuff figured out as we rapidly approach town meeting. >> Yep. Right. Okay. Yeah. And at this point that's work that would be planned on happening in the fall. Um but again that since
with time passes so quickly you know and just having that the bid schedule takes some time um as soon as they can get that done we'll get that right out. The other item the um draft water conservation restriction regulation um
related to that um in between the last meeting and now I pulled together a summary of water use restriction efforts. This is something that D asked for in the consent order.
Um they want it submitted attached to the annual statistical report that's due in April. I think it's April 10th that that's due. So, I'd sent the draft over to Chris. He looked at it and um there's only like one piece of information that
I was still looking for that just needs to get pulled from the data that Chris is preparing for the annual statistical report for the residential gallons per capita day usage for 2025.
So once we have that, be able to get this. It's a a one-page summary with some attachments just to show that you implemented water use restrictions in 2024. Um that year you did even odd
watering and then in 2025 you restricted to one day a week watering. So it will demonstrate to D that you've already started to do more restrictive water conservation efforts to try to help
bring down the overall water usage. So the other item for that water conservation um was the regulation that draft regulation that you were going to read through and just to see if
you had any comments or thoughts things that there were some edits that we talked about needing. So we were I think the next step would be to just collect the all the edits from you and create a
combined final draft that can be reviewed just to make sure it's it meets the expectations of the board. >> Okay. >> So I think what's in your packets is the final draft
>> the last two pages. last two sections have stuff you think we talked about last last time. >> Yes, that was the final draft that uh >> the abatement policy and >> Stacy put together uh for review. So, >> we'll read through the regulations and we'll vote on it next time.
>> Yeah, if you could take those and review those at your leisure at home and then any markups on them, you could bring them back to prior to the next meeting uh so we can get a final draft. That'd be great. I I will tell you I changed
by law to regulations and anywhere down. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. >> You have any questions or anything? The only other the only other one that I
have is going back to the outgo water use by regulation when we're talking about non-essential outdoor water use shall mean those that are not required. Non-essential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory
restrictions. Irrigation of lawns. I absolutely agree. Washing a vehicle except in commercial car wash are as necessary for operator safety. Who makes that determination?
My car needs to be washed because it's dirty. It's not safe for me to drive. Well, I would think if you had a vehicle that broke in mud, that would be operating, but >> dust mud driveway,
>> dust, mud, fallen. >> I understand that, but it it's so ambiguous. I'm just just throwing out. I'm not saying we need to change. >> It seemed to me I was I was I inhibited from doing something, so that's why I watched it. What do you mean? What do What do you mean I can't watch it? It
says right here that accept. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's all I'm saying is, you know, think about what it think about what it is. >> Something something to >> I think it's it's an attempt to >> um give us a little protection from a liability standpoint. >> Yeah. I was just going to say that
>> it's it's you got to get on the side of caution. I mean, >> yeah, you're going to have people are going to try to abuse that. They're going to throw mud on their windshield and say, "I couldn't see, so I had to wash my whole car. My kids get some dirt to my car. I had to wash." >> It's not a battle we're going to fight on this. Yeah, point. I mean, obvious
the irrigation is the is the major thing. I don't think >> overwhelming majority of people will cooperate and then those that don't. >> I used to be a hand wash my car in the driveway kind of guy, but then I realized, you know what, this takes too long and it cost me too sewer for 15
bucks. I can buzz through the car wash and I'm done three minutes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I look at my bill. >> Yeah. >> Water and sewer. I mean, you know, >> I don't water the grass. I don't wash the cars. I don't wash this picnic table. Dust brush.
All right. Do those. Okay. >> Yeah. So those doing these things, even though the consent order is not finalized, it goes a long way towards demonstrating to D that you're actively trying to
address the items that are in the consent order. Um, and Chris, I had sent you some contacts for the leak detection. Um, >> did you reach out to anybody? >> I reached out to to two of them and then
today out of the blue um, uh, was it New England testing there? The guy we had come in last last year, the year before, what was his name?
the previous league guy. >> That's what happened. >> Yeah, I forget his name, too. >> Randy Troop. >> Okay. >> Services. He's he by chance, his must. He texted me today looking if we needed any leak detection done. So,
>> it's that time of year. >> Yeah. So I I did reach out to was it Grath Bro there and um is it Panther and then I got another vendor that's going to stop by tomorrow and talk about leaf detection. So
looking forward to you guys to offer. So I'm looking to get at least three and then go from there. Why ch I spoke to uh he asked a whole bunch of questions. So >> look see what I can come up with and for quotes and we can move forward from there. But I'm actively working on that.
Okay. >> But so thank you for those those uh contacts. >> You're welcome. >> Uh that's all I had on my list. >> All right. Thank you. Um so the draft abatement, are we ready to vote on that
then? >> Yeah, if you guys are ready to look at it. Looks good. So, um I do had a question emailed me about uh where it says that a copy of the bill from the licensed plumber um needs to be submitted for the
>> repair and I think you were saying that you know in cases where a homeowner can make a repair. >> Don't that's the case with this policy because the number one thing that's not eligible is a leaky toilet or plumbing fixture.
>> Oh, okay. Suppose suppose uh the pipe burst between the cook shop and the house. You're not hiring a plumber necessarily. You're going to hire an excavator that can place replace the the pipe. It doesn't have to be a plumber.
>> Okay. Well, you can change the word for plumber contractor. All I'm saying is, Joe, with the way plumbers are doing their billing these days, we're putting a lot of owners on
the property owner to hire somebody that may not necessarily be necessary to make a corrective repair. >> So, changing the word from plumb contractor should be pretty much conscious contractor or >> No. Is that what you're asking? I I was
confused. >> Yeah. I I just felt that limiting it to we have to have a licensed plumber. >> Yeah. >> I can think of one plumber in town that doesn't have a
license but is working under somebody else's license. >> All right. Well, that's I mean that's that's >> but all of a sudden I maybe the appropriate way to >> reword that would to be that documentation that it was repaired
whether it's through photographic documentation or receipts because myself if I if I had a leak and I'm looking for an abatement not that I would in my position >> but I'm pretty handy. I'm not gonna take and go out and hire somebody because these guys want I just pay the bill at that point.
>> You know, if I can take and facilitate a repair because I had a pipe that froze and burst >> in the winter and I can go in and I can repair that myself and I can say, "Hey, here's the receipts for the parts I purchased. Here's a picture before and after repair has been done." >> I think you have to give some consideration to that.
>> Proof of excellent release is fixed and no longer releasing water. Um, such as a copy of a bill from a licensed plumber. So, it's proof there. It could be a copy of >> it could just say a repair bill or receipts of the repair. >> But proof of is going to be what our
deter what we determine is is is proof of >> say a licensed plumber. >> Yeah. >> That that can be a costly expensive people people on a fixed income >> that that can be burdensome >> instead of with a copies example being you know a copy
>> want to change it. Yeah, >> we're getting stuck in a >> proof that repair has been made. >> So, proof the release is fixed and no longer releasing water, comma, such as a copy of a bill from a licensed plumber. So, it's eliminate other things.
>> I would I would remove licensed plumber. >> I I would recommend say remove license plumber and say such as a repair bill or receipt for repair parts >> or photographic documentation. We can always change it if it doesn't work. Such as >> I just think the majority of people hire
contractors, >> especially we're not talking about replacing toilet. >> We're talking about catastrophic >> hire a professional, >> whatever the board would prefer. >> Okay. Such as a copy of the bill that includes a detailed description of
repairs. So, with that change, any other feedback before we vote on this? >> I'll make a motion that we approve the rewritten payment policy
as amended at >> today's meeting. Second and so voted. All right. Okay. >> Motion. I second it. All right. >> And this um >> go into effect immediately.
>> Yeah, >> that's the plan. How do we get out to the to the rate payers that we've changed the policy on abatement >> because we just so have to be something next.
>> Okay. >> And if somebody calls you can say that your policy has been changed. >> Yeah. >> You make it effective April 1st. >> Yeah. Which is a week away. believe it's not effective tomorrow.
>> I just caution that where the bills have gone out. >> Yeah. >> And people translate and decipher the bills. You just don't want to get people to come in now, tomorrow for abatements when you've already >> Let's do it today. Let's make it as of today. We voted on it today. Let's make
it as of today. >> That'll avoid that. I I agree with you. The bills went out. This is going to get you. Yep. >> And should this be be added to our current rules and right? >> Yes. Amendment to the rules and
regulations. >> Maybe on the the next bill or on the website just put something you know please be advised the payment policies or procedures have changed these review rules and rights. >> Anything else we got going on
next 14th >> motion to adjourn next meeting right? Yep. >> No issues there. Everyone >> be all good. >> I'm back. >> I'm back. Unless I'm stuck in Puerto Rico plane time
praying that TSA agents in Puerto Rico >> going on strike to I have to stay in the warm weather. >> I suggest >> not Florida because that's not warm enough. Can can meeting on the 14th at
7:00 today? >> I have no problem with a later meeting. You guys are going to be hope we just skip him that day. >> You could skip him >> because I don't want you to set >> if you want. >> You can you can abstain from a meeting.
>> Yeah, >> that would be a better more more more kind gesture I think for >> those who are forced to be here. Can't you do Zoom with the >> camera in front of your helmet? >> April 14th.
>> April 14th. I got no 16th I got the plate. >> 14th I got the plate. >> I can do that time. >> No, I disagree with that because motion. >> We had a motion.
Second and so voted. All right.