All right, you're good, Brett. >> Brett, you're muted. >> Oh, this is fun. Brett, you're muted. >> Ah, yes. All righty. In repeat, good evening, Lunenburgg, and thank you for joining
us, everyone. Um, we're going to call the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. on March 31st. Um, and we're going to begin our meeting like we do all meetings with a pledge of allegiance to
the flag. I >> pledge allegiance >> to the flag of America. >> Okay. The republic stands >> one nation indivisible >> with liberty and justice for all.
>> All right. Um so I am Brett Ramson, chairman of uh Lunberg Sewer Commission. Um, in accordance with the requirements of the open meeting law, please be advised that it that this meeting of the sewer commission is being recorded and
will be able to be found on the Lunberg Access YouTube channel after the meeting. The following information is also provided for members of the public that would like to participate remotely. To participate remotely from a computer, please use the link to join the public
meeting webinar found on the posted agenda or from a telephone. Dial tollfree number um the toll-free number 8884754499 and enter the webinar ID number 8318724994. If you have not registered through Zoom,
you will be asked for the email address. Nope. No participant ID is needed. Just press pound when asked. I will do a roll call uh to confirm that all members of the uh commission and staff are here.
And when I call your name, please answer in the affirmative affirmative. Uh Scott Dah >> here. >> All right. And Dan Proctor >> here, >> Arthur Cadis >> here. >> Chip Wilson >> here. >> And Brett Ramson is here as well with
the staff. Um we'll start with Bill Bernard >> here, >> Andrew Belry >> here, >> and Jane Randley >> here. >> Thank you all. Um and before uh yeah, is
there any public comment or public at all to comment if they're interested? >> There's no public on the Zoom meeting at the moment. >> All right. uh andor any commissioners, I'd like to make a comment. Um Chip, I apologize for missing your first
official meeting. Um >> uh glad to have you on board. Congratulations for sure >> your nomination. Um and we look forward to um all your future input and help with our decisions in our >> absolutely
>> uh important endeavor for uh this utility. Um, so thank you. Glad to have you. Um, welcome. >> Are there any other comments from other members or staff? >> All right, seeing none, um, I guess
we'll jump into the minutes that were uh, Jane recorded on 310 2026. I cannot take part in this vote. I was not in attendance, but I am looking for a motion. Accept. >> I'll make a motion to accept the minutes
from the last meeting. >> Second that. >> All right, we have a motion. It's been seconded. I'll start with u Scott D. >> I. >> Arthur Cadis >> I. >> And Dan Proctor. >> Hi.
>> And Chip Olson. >> Hi. >> All right. The motion carries. Thank you, gentlemen. Um, so now we'll jump into the uh the sewer business manager and DBW director updates. Uh, we'll start with the
manhole repair uh IFB in um looking for an update from um Bill or Andrew if possible. >> Sure, I can give an update. So, our contractor has been in touch with us. Um
they went out, they inspected the remaining manholes to be done, came up with a uh a work list. Um then they they were asking us if they could get going. We been holding them off because the temperatures are at
night have been below 32 degrees. So >> uh you know, working with cementitious materials, not a good idea to be too cold. So, I think with the weather breaking, yeah, sometime this week, I'll give them the the green light to go ahead and uh finish up the contract.
>> Yeah, there's still a bit of frost in uh even the streets, especially with his trees. That's where we get frost heaves. A lot of people make frost heaves lift in the spring where in fact the rest of the road actually melts and settles and
some spots stay high. little lesson to those who aren't aware of that. Um, all right. Um, is there probably nothing to add to that? Does anybody have any questions regarding the manhole repair? >> I know I've asked you this before, Bill,
but who is the contractor >> in situ technologies? >> That's correct. Excellent. Thank you. >> What do they have left? Obviously, I'm new. What what's the remainder amount of work that they have?
>> There's Yeah, there's about 10 to 15 different manholes. Um they do cementitious liners inside of them. They block um if there's active leaks or cracks, they can um they have a crack
filler. Um you know, they have a way to block bigger holes. uh they uh go around pipes. So the uh the goal of the contract is to
slow down the INI problem that we have. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Do they have a lot left to do? >> No, not much at all. No. >> Okay. Yeah. >> There's about 15 manoles and then there's about 15 man holes where we we're going to replace the frames and
covers. So that work remains also. >> Yeah. All right. I was just wondering. >> Yeah. So probably less than a month of work. Yeah. >> They should be in and out off to their next job.
>> Then we'll see what mother nature did to them this winter. >> All right. >> It was a tough one this year. It was bound to happen. Thank you, gentlemen. Um if uh if that's um the end of the
discussion for the manhole repair, we'll end that discussion. And uh thank you. >> I just want to say one thing, Mr. Chairman. So about three weeks ago, I guess it was Bill, two weeks ago, um I'm doing a job down on Laurel Lane, and Bill had asked me to see if I could
figure out a pump line that was put in that they're having a tough time locating it. So we spent a little time down there. We popped the manhole, figured out a couple things, didn't really totally get the answer yet. Um, I know you guys spent some time down there. I swung down the other day again,
you know, trying to locate that stub. But long story short, it's at the end of Laurel Lane and there was three pump lines that were put in because the gravity does not work when you get to the end of Laurel Lane because the grade drops off. So, they have a manhole. It's the last manhole in the street and
there's three inch and a quarter lines that come into it for three different residents. Well, one of them was used years ago and then was discontinued years ago. Well, when we popped the manhole, that one that was discontinued years ago was flowing about a half a
pipe full. Huge amount of water infiltration. So, I know there's been work done, but I think it's a constant constant thing that we need to do. whether we're popping manhole covers. Obviously, March is the time to do it because if there's going to be water
infiltration, that's the time to see it. You know, you pop a manhole in August and you're not going to see water coming in just because the ground waters have gone down. So, we were able to semi slow that thing down. We could not get the seal completely just because there was
so much pressure behind it. But, you know, it's something that we need to address more than we are. and and I know budgets are tight and manpower and all that type of stuff, but I just don't know if we can kind of come up with some type of plan to revisit a lot of these manholes
in the the known wet wet wet areas because that, you know, that one was probably I'm guessing 10,000 gallons a day that was spitting out. If you calculate out that inch and a quarter line flowing at half volume, you know, it's a lot of water. Um, so just FYI,
>> but we're permanently sealing these things, right? >> Well, that's what he's doing with that. >> You're talking the lids. Yeah. Like, so >> be kind of >> tough to do it after. >> Yep. So, that manhole that Dan's talking about, I'm going to give that one to In
Sichu form, too. I haven't given it to him yet, but we'll definitely seal that one up because, yeah, it was flowing pretty bad. Um, another note on INI. Um, Robert Lily, our contractor from CTE,
our um he noted that after we paved um Francis and Steven Street that the INI issue over at the Francis Street station has slowed down. So, we did some drainage work over there. So, it it's he thinks it made a
difference. So, so that's a good thing. And another note on Robert, um, he runs his own side business and he says it's ramping up, so he only works for um, CTE part-time, so
he's stepping away from CTE. So, our new guy is going to be Al Packer Jr. or Albi. So, Alb's been around for a long time. His father was with us for many, many years. And um yeah, I'm confident in Elb's abilities and you know, his his
quality of work is right there with Robert. So, but it's not like we're losing anything. It's just a different face now. >> But he understands pitching and water flow obviously and all that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, Eli, he's he knows
the uh the pump stations. He's been there many times. He's been to all of our pump stations many times in the past. So, you know, we're not losing quality there. We're just It's a different guy. Instead of Robert, now it's Elby.
>> Yeah. And um I mean, I is going to be a system lifetime problem without a doubt. That's just inherent in the system. However, Dan >> um did just trying to understand what you explained was a little off. Are you
saying the INI was coming from underground from an underground pipe entering into? >> That's correct. It was an inch and a quarter pump line that serviced a house that then tied into sewer up above. There was a street that wasn't there
available at one time. So that's why it went all the way down to Laura Lane. But >> consequently, they switched over. It was tied in. That house was tied in on Cross Street. And then this line was, you know, discontinued. Whether it got
excavated, broke, leaked, however it happened, nobody knows cuz it was quite a long run. But the water was flowing through that discontinued line at half full, an inch and a quarter line, you know, just a steady steady steady steady stream. So, um, lot of water.
So I guess a big question of problems like that which are you know by your estimation estimation is a obviously a gigantic problem. Um and you stumbled upon that one luckily and thank you for that. Um but
just since the subject is here, who's uh how do we potentially find other problems where across the system where we know we have a lot of INI coming in um
to potentially, you know, without knowing exactly its origin. I mean, I suppose we'd have to go manhole to manhole with a team and look inside and when it's this time of the year when it's wet or after a lot of rain to try
and figure this out. But, um, I'm just kind of throwing that out there as a, you know, how would you potentially find those problems? I suppose you could start by localizing where the biggest problems are and then look above ground
and then start looking underground. Yeah. So the the commission has done studies in the past and the the contract with insitu form targeted the worst um manholes that were known to have INI
issues. So we could go back and look at those studies and look at the other manholes that were in the you know pointed out in those studies. Um, the only issue right now is we're coming to the end of the fiscal year and we are
super tight on funds. So, I we can't do it now. >> Yeah, >> unfortunately. >> Well, Dan found one. >> Very good. >> Something to keep in my future. Um so um
without further ado, we'll move on to number two, the uh third quarter FI26 demands. Andrew, >> uh yep. So those were sent out actually on uh March 16. Yeah, March 16th they were sent out. So I think we had Yeah,
we had our meeting on March 10th. So they've been sent out. Um and I noticed that people are starting to pay, so that's good. Um uh so our delinquency rate is around all combined I would say around 18% so under
20 which is uh good good news in the right direction. >> Yeah should be better but we'll it'll get there hopefully. >> Yep. Very good. Um, does anybody want to comment on that before we move on from
the demands? >> No. >> All right. Um, so let's talk about the FY27 budget a bit. Um, I'm going to let um probably let Andrew or um, Bill take
over from here on this one. >> Yes. Not too much new there. Right. A couple meetings ago, we voted to approve the the budget. Um, it's I was actually talking with the town manager today about it. She had a couple
questions we were going over, but nothing changed. It was just questions in her mind. Uh, so it it will be going forward to town meeting. Um, she did ask about the rate increase,
which we voted for, right? That was our question whether it was voted in and we did. So I think we're good to go. >> Very good. Very good. Um, great. Well, I don't have any questions with the budget
myself. How about anybody else on the panel? >> No, it's been pretty straightforward the last couple meetings. >> Yeah, >> sure. >> So, we should do a quick little presentation at town meeting on the budget. Scott said he would do it. So,
we're all set. >> I also didn't know town meeting I just found out the other day was at uh on what 55 52. >> Yeah. May 2nd, I think, right? >> Yeah. Saturday, which is my uh
daughter's baby shower. So, I'll be in Hulk if you need me. But I'll be in shower for 10 hours and I'll just come to the end of the meeting. It'll still be going strong uh 10 hours later if it's anything like last year. He's probably right. >> I think it was a 10-hour show last year.
I heard that that was short. >> Oh, >> okay. >> Save the prop override to the end and then we'll see how many people stick around. >> All right. And definitely an entertaining um
proposition. >> Yeah. But if I can be there, I will be there. It's appreciated. Um, and for the the record, gentlemen, I'm not very good at the the meetings in
that auditorium. I'm not actually able to hear the the input from the speakers in there with my hearing impairment. Um, but, uh, if anyone wants to join, it would be certainly a good thing. All right. Um, so if we're moving on
from the budget, uh, let's talk about the, uh, the sewer and the storm storm water. Um, probably talked to ask Bill what we got going on there. >> Yep. So, I think I said it at the last meeting. Pretty sure I said it that um,
we can't com easily combine this the storm water commission to the sewer commission. It would take an act of the state legislature to do that. Um but further the stormwater task force just
recently voted to uh pull their warrant article from the Maytown meeting that would have established the storm water utility. So we're taking a step back giving it some time. So there's uh nothing for the sewer
commission to worry about at the moment. >> Excellent. I I just left that on the agenda cuz I you know for an update is Bill had one so and he obviously did so that was good. >> Good. And uh I'm uh I'm agreeing uh that
you know storm water should really be its own its own um group. It just uh it kind of uh in a way um is the enemy of our sewer system.
>> You could call it I waiting to heaven, right? >> Storm water. >> Well, none of the systems not of all the drainage systems are working properly, right? >> No, I agree. I agree. I'm not knocking I'm not knocking the drainage systems out. Actually, the Tom's looking good.
So, >> thank you, Mr. director for that. I uh I was just more than anything making it funny. So uh >> um good. So I guess that's a um that would be a closed subject for now. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Very good. All right. Wow. That was a quick uh business meeting, gentlemen. Um so now we want to discuss a little bit about what we want to see on our next agenda. >> Mhm.
um coming up on April 14th and um >> oh um I did email back but I will be uh in Maryland for a conference so it depends on I won't know the agenda till
that week if corporate is probably have a dinner planned but because that'll be our first night there but uh if not I will join up >> me thank Thank you, sir. And um we'll just I guess we'll leave it
up to um our um our manager and DPW director for our future um future agenda items. Um and old business, I believe, has been covered.
Uh we're back to a public comment or comment from staff or commissioners. >> So, Mr. Chairman, a quick question. It's kind of old business, but the gentleman that came to the meeting um about Pawn Street and going in front of
town meeting to try to get into the sewer district. Is anything happening on that? Um, so, uh, Dan, I emailed, uh, Ian, uh, and I did I had him, you know, I gave him the option if he wanted to come on our Zoom meeting, but, uh, he didn't
have obviously because there was a short time frame to have plans put together. Um, and he also mentioned that he'd have to there's cost to put plans together to present it. So, he has to ask the owner if that's what the owner really wants to do. Um, so we can't really do much until
we have actual, you know, plans or visualization as to what's going on to even vote on anything. So I was just waiting on him, but he um kind of uh >> mentioned that it's basically up to the owner if he'll reach back out to me um if he decides that he wants to go that route.
>> Okay. I did have a conversation with an engineer last week and he informed me that some municipalities that he's aware of, Clinton is one of them and I believe Fitchburg does it that if there are potential properties that need to join,
you know, be part of our sewer district that >> the boards meaning the sewer will make those developers find water problems and at their own expense. solve the gallage that they're pro
proposing to add to the district. So in other words, if they're going to put five houses at 500 gallons per day, that's 2500 gallons a day a day that they're going to add to our system. Then
they have to go out and five find 2500 gallons worth of leaking pipes and fix them at their expense. So, it's something that we should consider if we are going to consider adding to district because and most developers would do
that all day long because obviously it's it's the time to get them because they're going to develop a big piece of property and and make money at it. So, you can force their hand that they have to be part of that uh problem that we're facing. >> Does anybody have you heard of that chip
any towns? >> Yeah, I have. Yeah. And I mean it goes with not just sewer. I mean it could go with a million things if you put in a subdivision. It could be with improvements to sidewalks, landscaping. I mean it could it's not unreasonable to
ask any developer would probably be anticipating some sort of betterment whether it's sewer or drainage or I mean I think it's a great idea >> for obviously the sewer commission because that's what we are but it could also potentially help down the road for
the drainage >> in other projects but specifically for this one I think it's 100% a great idea because like you say and it's not that hard to it's not that hard to locate them based upon it like obviously I'm new I don't have the information that
you guys have but soundings like we we have a good idea of we've already had some studies done right we know where some potential problems could be so I mean it's really not hard for us to facilit facilitate helping them find 2500 gallon you know what I'm saying so
it's >> yeah I agree >> it's good on them but you know we're we're saying this is what you got to do, but we're also saying we're going to help you maybe locate it to ease it a little bit and then they'd be responsible for, you know,
>> well, you have the old studies, right? It's not like the pipes heal themselves. You know, the ones that were, you know, potentially a problem are probably a problem now, >> right? But what's interesting about even this practice is the fact that we and I know
this was before Chip joined, but you know, I didn't even think it was that unreasonable of an ask to propose to tell a contractor to tie into the uh that um part of our district that wasn't run for sewer, you know, to add their
connection of what was it 300 ft, I can't remember. and they completely just blocked and would rather, you know, eat the cost of snaking around their property without an easement. Um, so it's kind of funny. I'm just wondering, you know, relatively probably the same cost. Why would they uh, you know,
bucket one and accept another one? >> What is the cost bill per uh, manhole when they seal those manholes? I mean, ballpark. What What are those running? Uh the I think the cementitious liner I
want to say it's around $3,000 >> a manhole. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And we do have regulations that say you know of a development of a certain size or they're going to put so much surge into us that they have to
eliminate INI or they have to pay us a certain fee and that goes into our INI account. >> Okay. But >> we do have regulations for that already. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Sorry, I wasn't aware of that. >> Yeah, neither was I. >> Yeah.
>> Also, Bill, question. Um, you were saying some of our sewer holes are the individual block style. Um, is there anything about using pre-cast for future ones? Is there any
rules about that or is individual block belt still the way to go depending on size or um and maybe Dan or Chip could answer that too if >> everything's pre-cast now, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Industry standard. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Pre-cast is better. Yeah. >> Pre-cast rubber boots. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Less ability for to go right through the side of it, too. Right. >> Theoretically, >> y
just thought I'd throw that question out there. I thought I knew the answer and I did. >> Thank you, gentlemen. That was a excellent discussion. Um, so, um, I guess if we're moving forward,
uh, I guess we'll, uh, discuss the upcoming, um, meetings. So, our next one is April 14th, 2026. 6 6 p.m. regular hybrid meeting at the DPW. Um, April 28th,
2026, 6 p.m. will be a Zoom meeting such as tonight. April 12th will be um 6 p.m. regular hybrid at the DBW. May 26th will be another Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. Um, so
I guess I'll ask for a um a motion to close our meeting, gentlemen. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion to adjurnn. It's been seconded. We'll start with Chip Olson.
>> Hi, >> Dan. >> Hi, >> Scott. Hi, >> Arthur. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. Thank you, Lunberg. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Jane. >> We appreciate it. Have a great evening.
Good night.