Thumbnail for Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 4/3/23

Hardwick Board of Selectmen: Sewer Rates, Equipment, and Abatements

Original title: Hardwick, MA Board of Selectmen Meeting 4/3/23

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

April 4, 2023

Duration

1h 5m

Decisions

12 recorded

Action Items

16 assigned

Summary

The Hardwick Board of Selectmen convened to review agenda items, including a Superintendent's request for equipment and old business. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by ARCAP Solutions on proposed sewer rate structures, detailing project funding, enterprise fund requirements, and various billing options based on Title 5 regulations. The Board also addressed two abatement requests, tabling the Superintendent's equipment request, approving a Memorial Day contract, and discussing a letter of support for the East Club Land Trust. Discussions also covered financial management, indirect costs, and future meeting logistics.

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Discussion Highlights

Meeting opened with agenda review, Pledge of Allegiance, and visitor comment protocols.
Superintendent requested approval to purchase a 23 HP Kubota compact tractor with accessories and a trailer for WTP and pumping station maintenance, snow removal, and equipment loading, with $10,000 allocated in the FY2024 budget.
ARCAP Solutions presented on proposed sewer rate structures, outlining approximately $28 million in project funding from loans and grants for WPCF and collection system upgrades.
The sewer system operates as an enterprise fund, with financial requirements including salaries, chemical, electrical, fuel, equipment, and indirect costs.
Historical budgets were reviewed, and a financial management team was established to address Department of Revenue issues.
Existing debt for Gilbertville Pump Station and Wheelright Plant was detailed, alongside a new $5.681 million loan with a 40-year term at 1.375% interest.
The USDA directed the new loan's annual payment to be split equally between the Sewer Enterprise Fund and the General Tax Base, requiring the Sewer Enterprise Fund to levy betterments for its portion.
A mandatory annual deposit of $65,000 from Sewer Enterprise Fund revenue into a separate short-lived asset reserve account for future equipment was discussed.
Indirect costs, approximately $80,000 annually, are now mandated to be paid from the sewer budget.
Annual sewer discharge is approximately 48 million gallons, with Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) contributing to treatment costs, which are high ($19.56 per thousand gallons) due to two treatment plants.
Various rate structure options were explored, including metered water use (not viable), cost per EDU, base charges, loading factors, and a tiered approach.
A discrepancy was noted in the current EDU calculation, underestimating total flow.
A proposed new rate structure based on "cost per bedroom unit" for unmetered flow and Title 5 regulations (with a 70% reduction for safety factors) was presented, aiming for uniform cost per gallon across user types.
Comparison tables showed proposed new rates (e.g., single-family $560, two-bedroom $1180) significantly differing from current rates (e.g., single-family ~$1200).
Discussion on charges for town-owned buildings (based on square footage) and vacant properties (minimum EDU charge), emphasizing the need for regulatory alignment.
Current system users total approximately 711 EDUs, including the school.
Options for allocating betterments (e.g., number of bedrooms, road frontage) were discussed.
Concerns were raised about deteriorating buildings and unresolved "old business" items.
Future agenda items include ARPA funding status, a five-year expenditure analysis, and the format of upcoming meetings.

Transcript (9,544 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:00
Third at 6 30 to order it is 6 31 items on the agenda Pledge of Allegiance visitors comments a presentation for our from our cap Solutions relative to sewer rates in the discussion abatements uh superintendent request to
00:00:19
Purchase equipment water pollution control facility should purchase a compact tractor with load loader Mower and brush hog to maintain Lawns and maintain access Trail between Gilbertville wwtp and governmentville pumping station would also be beneficial for tight quarter snow removal and loading
00:00:36
Equipment into trucks also a trailer to carry the tractor between locations 23 horsepower Kubota price 23 000 excluding trailer 100 lists for a deer uh put 10 000 into the 2024 budget to allow for the same 2019 up to 50 will be paid for so overall vehicle allocation will be
00:00:54
Lowered all business Memorial Day contract for caps in the amount of 200 and adjournment if you wouldn't mind joining me and saying the Pledge of Allegiance the flag is behind Nicole
00:01:12
I pledge allegiance to the flag the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible liberty and justice Brown I can only hear me so I was I'm always afraid I'm gonna make a mistake
00:01:31
I always say I'm gonna put a cheat sheet up but I never do just to be sure don't feel bad I think I've actually made mistakes doing well you have to figure it's been a few years since we've been in elementary school when we typically would say the Pledge so yeah it's been probably more
00:01:48
For more for me than anybody else but so I we get the gist of it so I think that's great the intent is there next item on the agenda visitor comments is there anything so uh just to sort of set the stage for the meeting

[00:00:00] third at 6 30 to order it is 6 31 [00:00:05] items on the agenda Pledge of Allegiance [00:00:08] visitors comments a presentation for our [00:00:11] from our cap Solutions relative to sewer [00:00:14] rates in the discussion [00:00:16] abatements uh superintendent request to [00:00:19] purchase equipment water pollution [00:00:20] control facility should purchase a [00:00:22] compact tractor with load loader Mower [00:00:24] and brush hog to maintain Lawns and [00:00:26] maintain access Trail between [00:00:28] Gilbertville [00:00:29] wwtp and governmentville pumping station [00:00:32] would also be beneficial for tight [00:00:34] quarter snow removal and loading [00:00:36] equipment into trucks also a trailer to [00:00:38] carry the tractor between locations 23 [00:00:40] horsepower Kubota price 23 000 excluding [00:00:43] trailer 100 lists for a deer uh put 10 [00:00:47] 000 into the 2024 budget to allow for [00:00:49] the same 2019 up to 50 will be paid for [00:00:52] so overall vehicle allocation will be [00:00:54] lowered all business Memorial Day [00:00:57] contract for caps in the amount of 200 [00:00:59] and adjournment [00:01:03] um if you wouldn't mind joining me and [00:01:06] saying the Pledge of Allegiance the flag [00:01:08] is behind Nicole [00:01:12] I pledge allegiance to the flag the [00:01:15] United States of America and to the [00:01:17] Republic for which it stands [00:01:19] one nation under God indivisible [00:01:23] liberty and justice Brown [00:01:27] I can only hear me so I was I'm always [00:01:29] afraid I'm gonna make a mistake [00:01:31] I always say I'm gonna put a cheat sheet [00:01:33] up but I never do just to be sure [00:01:37] um don't feel bad I think I've actually [00:01:39] made mistakes doing [00:01:41] well you have to figure it's been a few [00:01:43] years since we've been in elementary [00:01:44] school when we typically would say the [00:01:46] Pledge so yeah it's been probably more [00:01:48] for more for me than anybody else but so [00:01:52] I we get the gist of it so I think [00:01:54] that's great the intent is there [00:01:56] um next item on the agenda visitor [00:01:58] comments is there anything [00:02:00] um so uh just to sort of set the stage [00:02:03] for the meeting [00:02:05] um [00:02:06] we would like to continue to follow the [00:02:08] rules that we followed if you have a [00:02:10] question [00:02:11] um it should be directed by raising your [00:02:13] hand and through the chair uh when we [00:02:16] get to the r cap presentation I don't [00:02:18] anticipate that we are going to [00:02:20] entertain any questions from [00:02:23] um the board for the meeting [00:02:25] participants the the presentation by [00:02:28] Lori Stevens is for the board to digest [00:02:31] and there'll be the future opportunity [00:02:33] for questions at some point but we [00:02:35] really would like to digest what Lori [00:02:37] has and have the board have the options [00:02:39] to um option to ask any questions [00:02:43] [Music] [00:02:44] um so with that said are there any [00:02:46] visitor comments relative to uh anything [00:02:50] um but not including agenda items if you [00:02:52] have something relative to any questions [00:02:54] that are not on the agenda [00:03:02] Nicole are there any hands I don't hear [00:03:04] they're on a whole lot so I can see all [00:03:06] the part that spins at this point so [00:03:10] um so the next item on the agenda is [00:03:14] um uh Lori Stevens and the discussion or [00:03:18] um the presentation relative to the [00:03:20] Sewer rates and uh the the information [00:03:23] gathered by our cap [00:03:25] Laurie's with us right [00:03:34] is she unable to possibly mute herself [00:03:44] hello [00:03:45] wasn't able to unmute I am now thank you [00:03:47] very much hi Lori [00:03:51] would you like me to begin now Nicole [00:03:54] yeah I can make you host if you want to [00:03:57] share your screen do you have the [00:03:58] present do you have the PowerPoint I do [00:04:00] let me try to share my screen [00:04:03] yeah first I have to make you host okay [00:04:08] let me know when that's ready [00:04:11] should be all set [00:04:20] bye [00:04:21] I'll lock the door [00:04:34] okay can you guys see that we can okay [00:04:38] okay [00:04:40] so uh my name is Laurie Stevens and I [00:04:43] work for rcap Solutions and I embarked [00:04:47] on this a while back and have been [00:04:50] working most recently [00:04:52] with the staff here yeah [00:04:57] I'm from [00:04:59] um our cap is the rural community [00:05:01] Assistance partnership [00:05:03] and where throughout the country but I [00:05:06] come from our cap Solutions which is in [00:05:09] the Northeast and it also encompasses [00:05:12] the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico [00:05:17] um we're talking about the proposed [00:05:19] projects it's the construction of the [00:05:22] hydrick road pumping station and [00:05:24] upgrades to the collection system which [00:05:26] was Project one or part of the first [00:05:28] project [00:05:30] Gilbertville water pollution control [00:05:32] facility and then the wheel right water [00:05:35] pollution control facility [00:05:41] the proposed Project funding in uh comes [00:05:46] from a lot of different sources this [00:05:48] community is very fortunate to be able [00:05:49] to get some loan and Grant monies that [00:05:52] are available [00:05:53] loan money is 5 million six hundred and [00:05:57] eighty one thousand in Grant is 17 [00:06:00] million and change [00:06:02] the PPG Grant was pre-development [00:06:06] planning Grant is 22 500 state funding [00:06:11] in 5 million and then applicant [00:06:13] contribution [00:06:15] seven seven thousand five hundred so [00:06:18] that's a total of [00:06:19] almost [00:06:21] 28 million dollars [00:06:25] the background is the sewer system is a [00:06:29] Enterprise fund I'm sure [00:06:31] know all this information but the [00:06:34] background in case you don't [00:06:36] division of local Services Mass [00:06:38] Department of Revenue [00:06:40] informational guideline release about [00:06:43] Enterprise funds and that's the number [00:06:46] that you can access that that's the one [00:06:49] we use here [00:06:51] these guidelines provide guidance to [00:06:53] local officials on the use of an [00:06:55] Enterprise fund under this number to [00:06:58] separately account for municipal [00:07:00] services [00:07:02] of a proprietary nature I.E those [00:07:05] Services provided to individual [00:07:07] customers for a charge in a manner to [00:07:10] similar to a private business [00:07:14] essentially the Enterprise fund is not [00:07:17] run just as a separate um [00:07:21] into town it's it's somewhat different [00:07:25] in the manner is with Enterprise funding [00:07:28] so the background is the United States [00:07:32] Department of Agriculture requested our [00:07:34] cap solutions to design a rate structure [00:07:37] including commercial and residential [00:07:39] users [00:07:42] prior to that the Mass Department of [00:07:44] Revenue division of local Services [00:07:45] provided recommendations they had a [00:07:48] financial policy manual that came out in [00:07:52] 2017 and it set [00:07:55] suggested that you set rates sufficient [00:07:58] to cover operating the capital [00:08:00] Improvement costs and minimize general [00:08:03] fund subsidies [00:08:06] and another document came out is the [00:08:09] review of the sewer Enterprise Fund in [00:08:12] 2014 said consider alternatives to the [00:08:16] current rate structure [00:08:20] so we took all that information [00:08:23] and put that together to come up with [00:08:25] this methodology to the rate study [00:08:28] methodology would we reviewed the [00:08:31] financial plan and revenue requirements [00:08:34] including the budget Debt Service [00:08:36] revenue streams [00:08:39] conducts cost of services analysis [00:08:42] review and evaluate different options [00:08:45] for rate structures and then with all [00:08:48] that information the [00:08:50] design a rate structure for Hardware [00:08:55] the components of the sewer system [00:08:58] the water pollution [00:09:00] facility you have the wheel right to [00:09:01] facility facility Gilbertville [00:09:03] and it is [00:09:05] um [00:09:07] unlike other towns it has [00:09:09] two facilities instead of just one which [00:09:12] that makes it more expensive [00:09:14] we have Pump Station throughout the [00:09:16] system discharge points to the river and [00:09:19] the collection system includes gravity [00:09:22] sewage lines Force Mains sewer manholes [00:09:25] Etc [00:09:28] Financial requirements the cost to [00:09:30] operate and maintain the sewer [00:09:32] Enterprise fund the salaries [00:09:34] chemical costs electrical and fuel [00:09:37] charges Vehicles tools equipment costs [00:09:40] indirect costs for Town services [00:09:43] and what I mean by that is on the [00:09:46] services of [00:09:48] the assessor the accountant [00:09:51] um [00:09:54] for health insurance [00:09:57] Etc [00:09:58] and then also there's regulatory [00:10:00] requirements for testing reporting fines [00:10:03] and fees [00:10:06] so we conducted a review of the budgets [00:10:09] and the revenue we reviewed historical [00:10:11] budgets for the past five years of [00:10:13] expenses [00:10:15] compared year to year project five years [00:10:19] out account for cost differences due to [00:10:22] operational changes [00:10:25] so your two wastewater treatment [00:10:27] facilities in the pump station uh the [00:10:30] two wastewater treatment facilities the [00:10:33] processes are going to change so we [00:10:35] worked with [00:10:36] the engineer on [00:10:39] getting estimates of what will be [00:10:42] involved in the changes [00:10:45] estimate the allowances for abatements [00:10:48] we re reviewed historical revenues [00:10:52] we set up a [00:10:54] excuse me a financial management team to [00:10:57] address issues from the mass [00:10:59] Department of Revenue [00:11:03] it was five years we identified issues [00:11:06] concerns anomalies [00:11:11] then we reviewed the existing tet [00:11:13] requirements you all already have a debt [00:11:16] for the Gilbertville Pump Station [00:11:18] initiated in 2008 it ends in [00:11:22] 2042 [00:11:24] 40-year term interest rate of 2.225 [00:11:29] the wheel right plant that initiated in [00:11:31] 2008 ends in 40 2047 [00:11:35] 40-year term an interest rate of [00:11:39] 4.375 and then the wheel right which was [00:11:43] initiated in 2009 ends in 2048 another [00:11:48] 40-year term and that interest rate is [00:11:51] 4.25 [00:11:53] principal and interest payment for [00:11:55] fiscal 24 [00:11:57] was 84 185. [00:12:02] would that just give you a feel of [00:12:06] existing payments that you have they're [00:12:08] going to continue for a good number of [00:12:10] years [00:12:13] the future Debt Service [00:12:16] you're very fortunate you have a lot of [00:12:18] grant money coming in the loan money is [00:12:21] only going to be [00:12:23] 5 million six hundred and eighty one [00:12:25] thousand [00:12:27] a 40-year term [00:12:29] the interest rate is [00:12:32] 1.375 I think you're locked into that [00:12:36] interest rate but we [00:12:38] [Music] [00:12:41] five thousand five hundred ninety nine [00:12:45] I was directed by USDA that that was [00:12:48] going to be split [00:12:50] after the Enterprise fund and [00:12:53] on the general tax base [00:12:55] so that [00:12:57] sewer Enterprise fund has to Levy [00:12:59] betterments to pay off the 92 [00:13:03] 799.5 therefore this should not be [00:13:06] included in the sewer o m budget [00:13:09] and I believe [00:13:11] Nicole has asked me to present at the [00:13:13] next meeting [00:13:15] the information on the betterments but [00:13:19] right now we're going to stick with [00:13:21] talking about the rates [00:13:23] but this is just very important to know [00:13:25] that [00:13:26] funds the raise the funds [00:13:29] of the sewer Enterprise fund portion the [00:13:32] 92 [00:13:34] 000 and change [00:13:35] is not included in the O M budget [00:13:38] because that is going to be paid for [00:13:41] through betterments [00:13:43] so your future Debt Service is equals [00:13:46] your existing Debt Service [00:13:54] at 850 [00:13:58] 000. the estimates are from DPC the [00:14:01] engineers they include the two upgraded [00:14:04] wastewater treatment facilities and the [00:14:06] additional Pump Station [00:14:10] a short-lived asset Reserve account of [00:14:13] 65 000 and that's mandated by USDA so 65 [00:14:19] 000 has to come out of the [00:14:22] um the rates the revenue from the sewer [00:14:25] Enterprise fund and put in a separate [00:14:27] account annually [00:14:29] and that is building up to pay for [00:14:34] equipment in in the future [00:14:37] indirect costs are approximately eighty [00:14:39] thousand a year now some over the past [00:14:42] five years the analysis we learned that [00:14:45] some years the indirect cost [00:14:47] s were not coming out of the Enterprise [00:14:49] front budget [00:14:50] out of the general fund [00:14:53] so they because it's supposed to be [00:14:55] separate the individual indirect costs [00:14:58] were coming out of the O M for the [00:15:01] Enterprise fund [00:15:06] that short-lived asset Reserve account [00:15:09] as I said mandated by USDA annually and [00:15:12] at least 65 000 must be deposited into [00:15:15] this account which is separate from your [00:15:18] general fund separate from [00:15:21] even your Enterprise fund [00:15:25] indirect costs must be paid for the [00:15:28] sewer budget that includes a retirement [00:15:30] health insurance general fund insurance [00:15:33] Town Administration [00:15:36] um like a portion of your assessors [00:15:40] salary portion [00:15:42] Porsche treasurers working for you [00:15:44] Enterprise fund too that's where the [00:15:46] indirect [00:15:47] costs come from [00:15:49] excuse excuse me Lori sorry I had to [00:15:51] take back host I [00:15:54] nobody can unmute themselves so [00:16:00] um I I just wanted to [00:16:03] ask if there's anybody [00:16:04] in the waiting room and there was so I [00:16:06] just let them in [00:16:07] um [00:16:09] I'll make you host again [00:16:11] um [00:16:13] I'm asking the board if they want to [00:16:16] unmute [00:16:17] sure Nicole is it possible that you can [00:16:20] make excuse me can Lori be a co-host [00:16:23] rather than being a regular host [00:16:27] um [00:16:28] I don't I don't have a choice that just [00:16:32] doesn't make hopes it doesn't say make [00:16:33] co-host [00:16:38] if you make me the host do you want me [00:16:41] to unmute the board [00:16:43] I just did [00:16:45] um but I'll just make you host again and [00:16:48] um [00:16:50] [Music] [00:16:55] sorry about that no no that's fine um [00:16:59] okay [00:17:01] you just have to share your screen again [00:17:03] yeah I think I'm I'm getting there [00:17:10] okay are we up and running again can you [00:17:13] see that guy thank you sorry about the [00:17:14] interruption no problem no problem [00:17:20] okay the annual sewer discharge to the [00:17:24] river [00:17:25] the Gilbertville wastewater treatment [00:17:28] facility [00:17:29] discharges about 42 million [00:17:31] wheel right it's about five and a half [00:17:33] million so the total is about 48 million [00:17:36] and [00:17:37] um we work with Scott and Nicole on this [00:17:41] information uh you know and that varies [00:17:43] depending on what the flow is what the [00:17:46] rainfall is the inflow and infiltration [00:17:50] so [00:17:51] the sewer depends also on the commercial [00:17:54] residential use along with the rainfall [00:18:02] infiltration and inflow [00:18:05] the flow is groundwater [00:18:06] seep to the sewer pipe through holes [00:18:08] cracks your values and faulty [00:18:10] connections [00:18:12] new flow with storm rot water from roof [00:18:14] drains Foundation drains downspouts [00:18:17] storm drains cross connections and [00:18:20] through holes and manhole covers Etc [00:18:22] most I and I infiltration info we call [00:18:26] ini is caused by aging infrastructure [00:18:29] that needs maintenance a replacement [00:18:31] every Community has ini and they do [00:18:35] their best to address it as it comes [00:18:37] along [00:18:41] in the annual sewer use [00:18:43] we're estimated actually only 10 from [00:18:48] the not the 30 we estimate 10 of the 48 [00:18:51] 000 is ini so that's about 14. 48 [00:18:55] million [00:18:56] subtracting the I and I we get to [00:18:59] 43 million [00:19:02] so the cost of service actual cost to [00:19:05] treat the Wastewater the sewer budget [00:19:07] was estimated 850 [00:19:09] 000. [00:19:12] so it's [00:19:16] the flow [00:19:18] the gallon is 19.50 [00:19:22] 56 cents per thousand gallons [00:19:25] is kind of expensive for your community [00:19:28] and that's because you have two [00:19:31] wastewater treatment plants [00:19:35] additional cost [00:19:37] the factors that affects the cost [00:19:40] electrical cost for pumping non-gravity [00:19:43] flows no matter how many pump stations [00:19:45] you have each pump station has HVAC [00:19:48] electrical maintenance and upkeep you [00:19:51] need to operate or going there all of [00:19:53] that [00:19:54] so that involve the site visits [00:19:57] additional monitoring and metering voter [00:20:00] controls at manholes and pump stations [00:20:02] where separate sewage is conceptic time [00:20:05] and labor for sampling Laboratory [00:20:08] Testing identify and monitor excess [00:20:10] loading situations [00:20:12] regulatory requirements fees potential [00:20:15] fines [00:20:16] excessive maintenance requirements [00:20:19] for the Force main which is why the new [00:20:23] pump stations going in [00:20:26] and I just wanted to [00:20:27] this last item flushable wipes really is [00:20:30] no such thing they all have to come out [00:20:32] of the treatment plan dental floss [00:20:34] diapers these all play a part in running [00:20:37] sewer [00:20:40] feeling frequency currently it's based [00:20:44] on the equivalent dwelling unit [00:20:47] billing frequency currently you um [00:20:51] buy annual billing so half the bill [00:20:54] the year payment is due every six months [00:20:58] separate charges are levied for if this [00:21:01] individual is [00:21:02] missions identifying addressing issues [00:21:04] of odor excess Greece Etc bills were [00:21:08] sent out separately for this [00:21:14] if anyone on the board is a question as [00:21:17] we go along I feel like I'm rifling [00:21:19] information at you feel free to ask and [00:21:22] be happy to to stop if that's okay with [00:21:24] Nicole [00:21:26] [Music] [00:21:27] typical rate structures is options for [00:21:30] rate structures so we can [00:21:33] based on a metered water use and a cost [00:21:35] per gallon or per cubic foot [00:21:38] now [00:21:40] excuse me [00:21:42] um there's not a there's not a method [00:21:46] for us to use the water use which is [00:21:48] usually the most accurate method [00:21:51] um you have three different [00:21:53] water systems [00:21:55] private and public and some of the users [00:21:59] are on private Wells so I was told it's [00:22:03] not an option to use the metered water [00:22:06] use [00:22:08] do a charge based on cost per unit which [00:22:11] is what you do you do equivalent [00:22:13] dwelling unit you could do bedroom size [00:22:17] some communities say well if you have a [00:22:20] a quarter inch meter this is your size [00:22:22] if you have a two inch meter because [00:22:24] your commercial you have this [00:22:27] die so that's that's a different unit [00:22:30] the third item here is having a base [00:22:33] chart residential commercial or [00:22:36] industrial charge can vary by size and [00:22:39] use capability and what that means is um [00:22:42] you have 50 base charge that includes [00:22:45] either no flow or X [00:22:48] uh gallons of flow and then you go a [00:22:51] cost per unit [00:22:54] you can have a loading factor which is a [00:22:57] multiplication factor into a cop for [00:22:59] excess charges due to Bod biological [00:23:03] oxygen demand [00:23:05] TSS total suspended solids [00:23:08] um do dissolved oxygen or pH or Odor [00:23:12] Control [00:23:13] having a loading [00:23:17] fact means you have to have like an [00:23:19] industrial pre-treatment program because [00:23:22] you can't say uh I think this facility [00:23:25] has more grease than that one so I'm [00:23:27] going to say it's X number of dollars [00:23:28] you would need to test that and find out [00:23:31] what is coming from where and then [00:23:34] those that have grease and oil charge at [00:23:38] this rate those who have so yeah and [00:23:40] that's a program where you're testing [00:23:42] all along too so we've talked about [00:23:45] maybe in the future you might want to do [00:23:47] that [00:23:49] and that would affect more your [00:23:52] um your commercial or industrial [00:23:54] facilities [00:23:55] not your your [00:23:57] residential [00:23:59] and then some communities use a tiered [00:24:02] approach so your base charge [00:24:05] gets you you know the first thousand [00:24:08] gallons or the first hundred cubic feet [00:24:10] as one charge and after that has a [00:24:14] um [00:24:15] a higher charge if you want to [00:24:17] discourage a lot of use [00:24:20] so those are options we looked at those [00:24:24] the current rate structure we said based [00:24:26] on equivalent dwelling units under 710 [00:24:31] edus on the 2020 cycle [00:24:35] this we found a little bit surprising [00:24:37] that one [00:24:39] it was calculated as 32 900 gallons [00:24:44] which is annually [00:24:46] 90 gallons per day for household which [00:24:50] is [00:24:51] um a lot lower than is expected [00:24:54] it's it's well below the generally [00:24:56] acceptable flow estimations [00:24:59] and if you take this flow [00:25:02] multiply it by [00:25:05] 710 edu so in 2020 [00:25:10] that only calculates out to 23 million [00:25:13] gallons [00:25:14] and I don't know if you guys recall in [00:25:16] the previous slide you're dealing about [00:25:18] 43 million gallons [00:25:21] so you're not [00:25:23] encompassing all the flow [00:25:25] that's going through the treatment plan [00:25:28] oh it doesn't just because the flow went [00:25:30] up I'm not saying that the rates are [00:25:32] going to go up twice as much what I'm [00:25:35] saying is it doesn't tie actually to the [00:25:40] flow that's going through the plant [00:25:44] okay so we wanted to make a rate [00:25:47] structure based on this is how many [00:25:50] gallons this is how much cost a treat [00:25:52] per gallon here calculate that and we [00:25:55] get a cost per gallon and that way we go [00:25:59] residential commercial industrial you're [00:26:02] you're paying the same cost per gallon [00:26:05] essentially [00:26:08] so this exercise [00:26:10] made us learn that the existing method [00:26:13] does not account for all the flow [00:26:14] through the trading plan [00:26:19] so we embarked on a cost per bedroom [00:26:21] unit [00:26:23] this calculated unmetered flow is [00:26:25] converted to equivalent residential [00:26:27] units in this case a cost per bedroom [00:26:32] so [00:26:34] one of the benefits of that is someone [00:26:36] in a two-bedroom house would not be [00:26:39] paying the same as someone with a five [00:26:41] bedroom house [00:26:43] yeah [00:26:45] used the Assessor's information [00:26:48] bedrooms were enumerated [00:26:50] the number of bedrooms per unit [00:26:53] will cut off a Max per bedroom unit of [00:26:55] four so in other words [00:26:58] if you have [00:26:59] seven bedrooms you're all encounted [00:27:01] before bedrooms [00:27:02] so if you have a two-bedroom house [00:27:04] you're calculated two bedrooms three [00:27:07] bedroom house four bedroom house if [00:27:09] you're a duplex [00:27:11] and you have four bedrooms in each sign [00:27:13] that would be four per side that's eight [00:27:20] per bedroom unit Max bedrooms a single [00:27:24] family home would be a four bedroom Max [00:27:26] duplex went over that four family [00:27:30] 16 bedroom Maxes for each [00:27:36] the metered flow any sewer flow that is [00:27:38] already needed will pay a cost per [00:27:40] gallon [00:27:41] and this cost per gallon is the same [00:27:44] calculated cost at a residential unit [00:27:48] would pay [00:27:49] cost per gallon [00:27:51] based on how we calculate the gallons [00:27:56] now the flow or because it is not [00:28:00] metered [00:28:01] it's based on the code of Massachusetts [00:28:03] regulations CMR 310 [00:28:06] section 15 the State Environmental code [00:28:10] title five standard requirements for [00:28:12] citing construction inspection upgrade [00:28:15] and expansion of on-site sewage [00:28:18] treatment and Disposal Systems it's [00:28:21] referred to title V [00:28:24] so the title V flows were used but title [00:28:27] V flows are used to estimate [00:28:33] the construction [00:28:34] of a on-site septic system [00:28:38] so we took the title five flows and [00:28:40] reduced it by 70 percent [00:28:45] because we thought Title Five [00:28:47] they're taking in account we need a big [00:28:50] enough septic system that we're not [00:28:52] polluting the environment so there's [00:28:56] um [00:28:57] to factor in that for safety [00:29:02] so the initial flow calculations we use [00:29:04] title V which is 110 gallons per day per [00:29:08] bedroom [00:29:09] we adjust the flows to 70 percent so [00:29:12] it's 77 gallons per day per bedroom [00:29:24] well Parker and I we've been out and we [00:29:26] went to all the residential and [00:29:29] commercial facilities we could get into [00:29:31] and we calculated the gallons per day [00:29:36] [Music] [00:29:37] gallons per day Prestige for refresh [00:29:40] rods or per square foot for an office [00:29:42] length a gallons per day per day or [00:29:45] Island for a garage or station [00:29:48] Etc [00:29:49] all flow was decreased by 70 percent so [00:29:53] we used [00:29:55] the same [00:29:56] percentage Factor reduction factor in [00:30:00] ventral as we did as to Mark commercial [00:30:02] and Industrial [00:30:04] now here's the first run through of our [00:30:08] flow summary [00:30:10] this was the residential flow this is [00:30:15] um can you guys see that [00:30:17] yeah [00:30:20] um [00:30:21] just said my internet connection is [00:30:23] unstable so let's see how long I can go [00:30:25] here [00:30:27] um the residential flow for Quabbin [00:30:31] um the senior housing and the commercial [00:30:33] industrial flow the Eagles [00:30:36] Hill school that's a five-year average [00:30:40] um but you know that will be based on [00:30:42] the metered flow we know exactly what [00:30:44] comes out of there [00:30:45] and the estimated flow was about 43 [00:30:48] million [00:30:50] and the anticipated revenue from those [00:30:52] sources would equal 850 [00:30:56] 000. [00:31:03] these are the historic historical rates [00:31:06] just start to see you know if you see [00:31:10] um this percentage goes up let's couple [00:31:15] it down [00:31:20] so any questions [00:31:23] that so far [00:31:32] um [00:31:35] host [00:31:36] sure [00:31:48] probably or Rob any questions or Lori [00:31:54] I don't think so right now [00:31:58] I think it would be helpful uh just for [00:32:01] me because I'm a numbers person Lori [00:32:03] this is Julie [00:32:04] um [00:32:06] so so that's the [00:32:09] um anticipated rate structure so it [00:32:12] would be nice for us to sort of see what [00:32:15] that Stacks up to what the current is [00:32:18] um sure so I um gave a report [00:32:23] um it's about 15 17 pages and I wanted [00:32:27] to show you like I did a comparison [00:32:30] table [00:32:31] so my comparison table shows like [00:32:35] um under the old rate structure what a [00:32:37] one bedroom pays a two bedroom maybe a [00:32:40] restaurant and a laundry so I just [00:32:42] bought a couple of things so you can [00:32:45] compare what the rates are now to what [00:32:48] we are proposing [00:32:50] so we can we can see that I don't know [00:32:52] uh did you send those out Nicole [00:32:56] um [00:32:57] I don't think so not today [00:32:59] oh no problem I can call it up here on [00:33:02] the screen okay I can make you host [00:33:04] again sure [00:33:07] did I miss that Nicole [00:33:10] um [00:33:10] I don't know it was a little while back [00:33:27] okay oh so I [00:33:30] I can just share right again yeah and [00:33:33] here we are again [00:33:36] so [00:33:38] this was the study [00:33:42] um here's the table of contents and what [00:33:44] I did instead of having you look through [00:33:46] 15 pages or something I did an executive [00:33:49] summary so I'm not going to read through [00:33:52] the introduction that was pretty much in [00:33:54] the PowerPoint [00:33:57] here on table six is this too small can [00:33:59] you guys see that if [00:34:01] want that bigger [00:34:03] so Lori we have um Italian Rob aren't [00:34:07] excuse me able to unmute because you're [00:34:09] the host can you um [00:34:12] is there is we always have to ask them [00:34:14] to unmute I think unmute [00:34:19] can I do that are you asking me to do [00:34:20] that you you can do that [00:34:23] as the host [00:34:25] okay [00:34:28] um [00:34:38] okay who do I got them here I think [00:34:41] okay Rob Ruggles [00:34:45] and Kelly Kemp [00:34:50] oh Rob okay [00:34:53] oh he's not letting me like if you hover [00:34:56] over the right hand side there's three [00:34:57] little dots I can take that Coast okay [00:35:00] wait no no um [00:35:08] okay this Rob I think I did your Rob [00:35:12] is that one good and who's the other one [00:35:14] probably [00:35:18] sorry Kelly I'm tactical difficulties [00:35:22] oh I'm asking to unmute okay yeah [00:35:26] can you unmute now Kelly okay Rob can [00:35:29] you unmute now too I'm good now [00:35:32] he was but I think he's uh I think he's [00:35:35] all set if he needs something I'm sure [00:35:36] okay takes back hell [00:35:41] so [00:35:43] um this is table six and I have the [00:35:46] the next table [00:35:48] seven but eight has the same [00:35:51] items to compare so right now a single [00:35:56] family home is paying [00:35:58] I'm just going to say one thousand two [00:36:00] hundred I'm just going to round that off [00:36:03] um a one bedroom a two bedroom a three [00:36:05] bedroom they're all paying the same [00:36:09] right now we have one restaurant a fast [00:36:12] food restaurant it's 28 seats and paying [00:36:15] a one bedroom unit [00:36:17] we have a restaurant it's 20 seats it's [00:36:21] paying for edu so [00:36:25] kind of odd but you know [00:36:27] that that's what's existing [00:36:31] so now you're looking at one bedroom two [00:36:34] bedroom three bedroom I'm gonna go to [00:36:35] table eight it's going to show you these [00:36:38] same criteria [00:36:39] yeah [00:36:41] at the [00:36:42] endure rates [00:36:44] and that correlates only one that [00:36:47] correlates to what you've just presented [00:36:48] to us Lori [00:36:52] this correlates to what you're already [00:36:54] charging right in the table you're going [00:36:56] to now correlates to the analysis that [00:37:00] you've just presented to us [00:37:01] yes okay yes thank you okay [00:37:06] this is a single family home one bedroom [00:37:13] 560. [00:37:15] um a two bedroom is 1180 [00:37:18] three bedroom is one thousand [00:37:21] 696. [00:37:24] that 28-seat restaurant and that seemed [00:37:28] pretty low so using the data from the [00:37:31] title V regulations that ends up being [00:37:35] two thousand eight hundred [00:37:38] that 20 seat restaurant 2200 [00:37:43] the laundry facility is 8 000 and then [00:37:46] the automotive garage is about one [00:37:49] thousand [00:37:50] seven hundred [00:37:53] so you don't have a four bedroom on here [00:37:55] no I mean you could compare a four [00:37:57] bedroom to a four bedroom I'll I tell [00:38:00] you what it is it's um [00:38:04] it's gonna be [00:38:07] this times four 22.62. [00:38:11] 262. yeah [00:38:17] well it would be the same as the [00:38:19] restaurant Bakery right the 22. [00:38:21] okay basically [00:38:26] okay [00:38:28] [Music] [00:38:31] and so it's my understand that we can [00:38:33] choose [00:38:35] to stay how we are or to go to this [00:38:38] correct [00:38:41] you could or you could do something in [00:38:43] between Kelly [00:38:44] you could you could [00:38:47] but one of the things we wanted to do [00:38:51] was have [00:38:52] the rates based on something it's based [00:38:56] on Title Five it's based on so it's not [00:39:00] you know it we're not making [00:39:01] accommodations because we like or don't [00:39:04] like this person or this place or this [00:39:07] everything is based on something that we [00:39:10] can point to and say this is where it [00:39:12] came from everybody's face the same [00:39:15] and the only exclusion for that um [00:39:18] Nicole and I and Scott looked at a [00:39:21] couple of things with [00:39:24] some of the facilities like we said four [00:39:27] bedrooms uh we're not going to go up to [00:39:29] five bedrooms to six bedrooms or seven [00:39:32] bedrooms because [00:39:33] maybe the [00:39:36] um [00:39:37] you know medium households usually have [00:39:40] a [00:39:42] less number of people than [00:39:45] two people in every every bedroom you [00:39:47] know [00:39:50] and also we accounted for the actual [00:39:52] flow or you know most [00:39:56] tried to get more you know closer to [00:39:58] what the actual flow is on unlike the [00:40:01] original structure which is half the [00:40:03] flow [00:40:04] yes that is [00:40:06] um which means that it's not like you [00:40:08] weren't getting half the plant but it [00:40:10] was [00:40:11] um [00:40:12] it was a higher in number for half of [00:40:15] the flow [00:40:17] so the flow calculates in a logical [00:40:20] fashion [00:40:21] and defensible [00:40:23] per the title V regulations [00:40:28] Lori where does the 70 come from maybe I [00:40:31] missed that [00:40:33] um is that [00:40:35] well we I I understand I'm a Consulting [00:40:38] engineer and I know that the title V [00:40:41] regulations are to cycle septic system [00:40:44] and when you cite a septic systems you [00:40:47] want to use the most conservative value [00:40:48] meaning [00:40:49] estimate the septic system [00:40:52] larger than it has to be so you don't [00:40:55] pollute the environment so I know title [00:40:58] V regulations have that safety Factor [00:41:01] built in [00:41:02] so we want we wanted to come out with a [00:41:06] type of flow that is more logical to [00:41:10] what people are actually using [00:41:14] so that's where we we settled on about [00:41:16] 70 percent and so we said if the [00:41:19] residential is based on 70 well then [00:41:23] it's justifiable to say and residential [00:41:26] and commercial or based on 70 of the [00:41:28] flow so we wanted to do it the same [00:41:30] across the board [00:41:36] um what about uh Town owned buildings [00:41:39] that are on the system how were those [00:41:41] accounted for in the model [00:41:44] um the town owned buildings are going to [00:41:46] be based the same [00:41:49] um [00:41:50] per square foot like your office [00:41:53] buildings are [00:41:55] um per square foot of Office Space [00:41:58] okay restaurants are per seat laundry is [00:42:01] per washer [00:42:05] so we again I'm asking all the questions [00:42:08] Kelly and Rob sorry [00:42:10] um if so if we have a vacant [00:42:13] building currently now people are [00:42:16] charged a minimum edu whether they're [00:42:20] using the system or not using their [00:42:22] charge a minimum number if you can use [00:42:24] how is that going to work under this [00:42:26] model the same way [00:42:29] and that I want to before I answer that [00:42:33] question I'm gonna go down to the end of [00:42:36] this document [00:42:42] where these are recommendations okay [00:42:45] revisit the rates annually consider the [00:42:48] industrial pre-treatment [00:42:50] and part of this also is [00:42:52] um [00:42:53] if you're going to adopt this rate or [00:42:56] any other rate [00:42:57] your regulations have to address [00:43:00] so [00:43:02] um [00:43:04] you can have [00:43:07] is a business it has this many square [00:43:09] feet and you are charged a certain rate [00:43:12] now [00:43:14] um [00:43:15] if you go out of business you can deal [00:43:18] with well you still have to pay do you [00:43:20] want to want to have a minimum rate but [00:43:23] if you have a lot of businesses going [00:43:25] out of town [00:43:26] and they don't pay at all that you have [00:43:29] to have a minimum because Scott still [00:43:31] has to operate the treatment plan and [00:43:32] still have to pay the salaries and you [00:43:34] have to be you know [00:43:39] so we didn't say it's going to be this [00:43:41] you're going to pay the rent whether [00:43:43] you're there or not you want to deal [00:43:44] with that by abatements however you want [00:43:47] to deal with that [00:43:51] thank you I did read this some time ago [00:43:53] so [00:43:54] um you have to excuse me Lori it's tax [00:43:56] season so my my mind isn't probably the [00:44:00] most fresh it's been so thanks for the [00:44:03] um pointing us out and and these are [00:44:05] some some recommendations that Nicole [00:44:08] Ryan Scott would hope that you might [00:44:11] have some other ones that you want to [00:44:12] incorporate into this [00:44:14] what a lot of people the vote they want [00:44:17] to do a rate study and they want to put [00:44:18] that on the shelf and relax and get on [00:44:20] with everything else but it's tied to [00:44:23] your rates it ties what's on your [00:44:26] website it's tied to the rules of [00:44:28] Regulation so if you don't address those [00:44:31] at the same time then you come up with [00:44:33] things that conflict [00:44:37] thank you [00:44:39] Buzz through this [00:44:41] and we're going dizzy here on these [00:44:44] there we go okay [00:44:49] Rob do you have any questions [00:44:55] Laura you might have to ask Rob to [00:44:57] unmute again [00:44:59] oh sure [00:45:03] I don't know if he has anything he wants [00:45:05] to ask [00:45:11] I don't think I have much to add right [00:45:14] now [00:45:18] so I think thank you Lori I think the [00:45:20] purpose of the meeting was just to [00:45:23] um sort of have Lori present you know [00:45:27] what um [00:45:29] you know what they've come up with in [00:45:30] terms of options for rates and [00:45:34] um the board to take it under advisement [00:45:36] this is one of several meetings I would [00:45:38] imagine that will occur relative to the [00:45:41] rate and betterment process [00:45:44] um but it's a sort of a starting point [00:45:46] of looking at the rates [00:45:49] um I mean a couple takeaways clearly [00:45:52] what our current rate structure doesn't [00:45:54] support the flow that's going through [00:45:56] the plants [00:45:58] and also doesn't support the budget [00:46:00] level that needs to be there which you [00:46:03] know one could argue that's why we're in [00:46:04] the situation we're in [00:46:06] um so [00:46:08] um again maybe uh Kelly Rob if you have [00:46:13] any items that you got you think of [00:46:15] afterwards that you want Lori to address [00:46:17] she is going to come back I'm not sure [00:46:19] what I don't know if you're intending [00:46:21] that that's next week's meeting Lori or [00:46:24] a meeting in the future [00:46:26] sure excuse me but Ned can I admit him [00:46:30] to the room [00:46:31] sure okay sorry [00:46:34] um yes I'd be happy to come back I I [00:46:37] would like to point out this a couple of [00:46:38] things that were issues uh you mentioned [00:46:42] the two of them [00:46:43] um [00:46:44] also I like One Restaurant was getting [00:46:47] one edu at 28 seats another restaurant [00:46:51] was getting four edus at 20 seats so it [00:46:55] was not [00:46:57] um [00:46:58] assistant [00:47:00] not relatable it was not justifiable [00:47:06] oh and that's one reason why [00:47:08] um myself as a consultant our cap [00:47:10] solution comes in because we we uh we [00:47:14] can't play favorites we don't even know [00:47:15] anybody we just you know what is logical [00:47:18] and justifiable throughout the process [00:47:21] foreign [00:47:31] users we have on the system right now [00:47:34] it's like 7-Eleven [00:47:38] I'm sorry I don't know about how many [00:47:40] users but that's how many edus we have [00:47:43] I thought it was a little bit more than [00:47:45] that but okay [00:47:47] it might have just gone up by a couple a [00:47:49] couple of houses were built along the [00:47:50] line [00:47:51] down here in Gilbertville yeah [00:47:54] I I had on there I had 11 11 for 2020 so [00:47:59] when the school came online was that [00:48:01] after 2020 or before [00:48:05] that's including the school [00:48:10] another thing you may want to consider [00:48:13] is [00:48:14] um when we [00:48:16] 've been working on the betterments and [00:48:18] how are you going to divvy up the [00:48:19] betterment [00:48:20] if it's based on [00:48:23] on the number of bedrooms [00:48:29] that is a way to allocate it sometimes [00:48:33] you can use [00:48:34] um square footage of Road Frontage [00:48:38] uh so [00:48:42] um the way it's working now is is you [00:48:45] know we're looking at [00:48:47] those options [00:48:59] Kelly and Rob is there anything that you [00:49:01] um well if you can [00:49:03] um if we can all submit any questions or [00:49:06] items that we need clarification on or [00:49:09] questions that you might think of after [00:49:12] um tonight to Nicole and Nicole can get [00:49:14] those to Lori [00:49:17] um [00:49:19] that would be great and if I mean if if [00:49:22] we can [00:49:23] I'm not sure what our agenda looks like [00:49:25] Nicole but we can talk about whether it [00:49:27] makes sense to have Lori on or Monday or [00:49:30] if we've got a full agenda for Monday or [00:49:32] she's going to be ready [00:49:37] what day is that [00:49:40] flip Monday [00:49:44] to uh oh whatever I would have to [00:49:47] address that when I see what your [00:49:48] questions and comments are [00:49:50] I was are you do you meet every Monday [00:49:55] no usually just the second and fourth [00:49:57] okay [00:49:59] because Lori does have a standing [00:50:01] obligation on Mondays too so she'll have [00:50:03] to get out of her Monday so we need also [00:50:06] need to give her some time which is kind [00:50:07] of why I was thinking [00:50:09] the 24th [00:50:11] our next meeting after Monday which [00:50:13] would be the typical sewer meeting the [00:50:15] second Monday of the month [00:50:18] of the month perhaps on the 24th I could [00:50:21] address your questions in maybe [00:50:24] um get you the information on the first [00:50:29] your first review of the betterments [00:50:34] unless you want to just [00:50:37] continue addressing this so either way [00:50:39] is fine with me [00:50:44] do you know for a month [00:50:47] yeah I would think that it would make [00:50:49] sense to to do [00:50:52] um you know any questions on this and [00:50:54] betterments [00:50:56] I appreciate appreciate that that would [00:50:58] be great [00:51:02] so we do have to keep moving forward on [00:51:05] this [00:51:06] foreign [00:51:14] thank you guys I appreciate you thank [00:51:16] you Lori attention [00:51:18] call me if you have any questions Nicole [00:51:21] thank you very much [00:51:25] okay so [00:51:27] um Kelly Rob if you really have any [00:51:29] questions [00:51:29] um we could submit them to Nicole and [00:51:31] she can get them to Lori [00:51:33] for upcoming meeting [00:51:37] anything else on that on the [00:51:39] presentation [00:51:44] okay [00:51:46] um next on the item next item on the [00:51:49] agenda are abatements and we um those [00:51:52] were sent over to us by Nicole have you [00:51:55] had a chance to review them [00:52:00] these were on the last agenda but the [00:52:03] original application wasn't included so [00:52:07] um we attached the original application [00:52:09] Dale I mean I'm sorry I'm not gonna this [00:52:12] could be confidential I'm not sure so [00:52:13] the first application [00:52:16] um [00:52:17] we requested that they submit [00:52:21] the previous year's electric bills like [00:52:23] are on the um [00:52:25] process and the explanation but we did [00:52:28] not receive them they said that they do [00:52:30] not they didn't have to submit them [00:52:31] before and they're not going to submit [00:52:33] them now [00:52:34] in the second one [00:52:37] um [00:52:39] the wrong amount is on there they [00:52:41] actually did pay 585.53 which is half [00:52:44] and the electric bills that I did have [00:52:47] on the last agenda are on is on there [00:52:49] the history [00:52:51] um [00:52:52] of the whole year and I had given you an [00:52:55] example of one that we know was empty [00:52:58] that had the kilowatts right around 10 [00:53:01] to 20. for the year [00:53:04] these are hovering around between 50 and [00:53:07] a hundred and thirteen hundred and sixty [00:53:10] seven so uh but this abatement would be [00:53:13] for 190 322 [00:53:17] and the first abatement would be for 384 [00:53:21] 44. [00:53:24] with them paying 66 percent [00:53:29] but the first abatement [00:53:31] um I think we were pretty clear [00:53:34] last time that um [00:53:37] Kelly can you not unmute yourself [00:53:45] thank you [00:53:48] um I think we were pretty clear on the [00:53:50] first abatement what the requirements [00:53:51] are and whether [00:53:53] um they needed to do it last time or not [00:53:56] um [00:53:57] you know I think it's a function of [00:54:00] following procedure so [00:54:03] I'm not sure how you feel about that [00:54:04] Kelly and Rob [00:54:06] I agree with you [00:54:12] no I think we definitely have to follow [00:54:14] the procedure right [00:54:16] if we ask of everyone else then you know [00:54:19] they should be doing it too [00:54:22] so so based on that [00:54:24] um we won't be recommending approval of [00:54:27] the first abatement [00:54:29] um happy to again happy to revisit it if [00:54:31] the documents are provided [00:54:34] um [00:54:36] and the second amount again uh Nicole [00:54:39] what was the second amount [00:54:41] it would be 193.22 [00:54:44] that we're abating [00:54:46] yeah [00:54:52] um I'm happy to make a motion if [00:54:54] everyone's okay with that one they have [00:54:56] provided their information [00:54:58] I'm okay with it Rob [00:55:03] yeah I'm fine [00:55:05] am I muted [00:55:10] um [00:55:11] so I would make a motion [00:55:15] um to abate [00:55:17] 193 22 [00:55:20] to the second abatement which I believe [00:55:22] is 15 Sylvia Street no that's the 491 [00:55:26] Main Street [00:55:31] so if it's been moved and seconded any [00:55:33] other discussion on the motion [00:55:36] hearing none I will call for a vote [00:55:40] um Kelly [00:55:42] aye Rob [00:55:46] yes so they um abatement is approved in [00:55:50] the amount of 193 dollars and 22 cents [00:55:58] um [00:55:59] are we uh with regard to [00:56:02] um the superintendent request Nicole is [00:56:04] this something we're tabling for a [00:56:05] future meeting [00:56:07] yes I didn't he was he wasn't in today [00:56:09] so I wasn't able to get the information [00:56:14] he's talking about whether or not we [00:56:16] should buy it through the town [00:56:19] um because then all the Departments [00:56:20] could use it [00:56:21] if we buy it through retained earnings [00:56:23] then only Wastewater can use it [00:56:25] um but I don't have the information [00:56:26] right now [00:56:28] so I I can't I [00:56:31] in a future meeting [00:56:35] I don't even know what the other [00:56:36] departments would want to use it so I [00:56:38] don't know [00:56:40] sorry [00:56:41] I thought he was being today but it was [00:56:43] unexpected [00:56:46] so we'll just sort of keep this as a [00:56:47] place marker for [00:56:50] um a future discussion uh presumably [00:56:52] before budget season is you know so we [00:56:56] can figure out [00:56:57] um where that's going to fall [00:57:01] okay [00:57:03] um [00:57:04] yeah [00:57:05] all business anything to discuss under [00:57:07] normal business [00:57:12] um I have I have on my notes from last [00:57:14] week the Memorial Day [00:57:17] um thing and then the um [00:57:20] [Music] [00:57:22] um we were going to follow up with [00:57:24] Cynthia and and that's Wildlife about a [00:57:27] letter [00:57:29] so Memorial Day I think Nicole reached [00:57:32] out to Donnie [00:57:34] um Martel about Memorial Day and he made [00:57:37] the suggestion that we signed the [00:57:39] contract [00:57:40] okay for the 200 which is it was the [00:57:43] same amount last year and it's budgeted [00:57:45] for right [00:57:47] I believe it is yeah [00:57:49] do you want a motion to sign that Julie [00:57:51] please I would make a motion to sign the [00:57:54] Memorial Day contract for the Taps [00:57:56] player and the amount of 200. [00:57:59] second [00:58:01] any other discussion on the motion [00:58:05] carrying on I will um call for a vote [00:58:08] Kelly I Rob [00:58:13] and Julie's a yes so the motion carries [00:58:15] um Nicole would you please sign my name [00:58:17] to the contract and get it out [00:58:19] sure [00:58:22] um Kelly the next item so Nicole did [00:58:25] Reach Out Nicole do you want to talk [00:58:26] about that particular [00:58:29] yeah I reached out to the land agent I [00:58:31] end up I emailed you all last week about [00:58:33] it [00:58:34] um you know that the sale was going [00:58:36] through either the end of last week or [00:58:38] the beginning of this week [00:58:40] um and then Bill zinny got on to kind of [00:58:43] explain right uh what was happening that [00:58:46] east club and land trust is [00:58:48] purchasing it it's just easier that way [00:58:50] through the state they're taking care of [00:58:52] um all the demolishing of all of the [00:58:55] buildings getting it into a good state [00:58:58] of [00:58:59] um you know [00:59:01] so [00:59:03] and then the state will be purchasing it [00:59:06] and be reimbursing them for their cost [00:59:09] um Cynthia did come in today but I was [00:59:11] with somebody else so I didn't get to [00:59:12] see her [00:59:13] um Bill did speak with the land agent [00:59:15] again today and it would be nice if they [00:59:20] have a letter [00:59:21] a port they don't need it you know [00:59:23] that's all purchase is happening [00:59:25] um but just showing the town support [00:59:28] they even asked if conservation would [00:59:30] sign one so um [00:59:33] you know we don't have to do it tonight [00:59:35] but they would like a letter of support [00:59:37] in the near future next few months if [00:59:40] you would [00:59:44] um I don't have a problem with that I um [00:59:48] I don't even know Kelly I know you're [00:59:50] abstaining [00:59:51] um and I'm still trying to sort of [00:59:54] figure out my role that that's going to [00:59:55] be a point pretty soon so you may want [00:59:58] to let the letter support go if it's an [01:00:01] issue [01:00:03] um but but I will make sure that I [01:00:04] resolve for Monday [01:00:06] um it doesn't sound like it really again [01:00:08] it's not going to hold anything up it [01:00:10] would be just [01:00:12] um something to I don't have an issue [01:00:14] with supporting it [01:00:16] um [01:00:16] and they do they do like the support [01:00:18] letter [01:00:19] yeah [01:00:20] I think perhaps maybe it's a [01:00:22] conversation with conservation as well [01:00:25] because it'd be nice if we could do a [01:00:26] joint letter of support [01:00:28] um that may be a way around [01:00:31] um that or if we need to do our own [01:00:33] letter of support but I will make sure [01:00:35] that I report back on Monday relative to [01:00:39] uh whether that's something that I can [01:00:41] be involved with or not [01:00:46] Rob do you have any thoughts on it [01:00:49] all that being said I mean [01:00:54] good just waiting at this point it's a [01:00:57] couple weeks isn't going to matter [01:01:00] they're buying it regardless so [01:01:04] well I I think um [01:01:07] I think for all of the reasons that we [01:01:08] said on the meeting last time [01:01:11] um [01:01:12] you know there do seem to be some [01:01:14] hazards there that you know have been [01:01:17] sitting there for a while that haven't [01:01:19] been addressed and are becoming a [01:01:21] concern [01:01:22] um if you drive by there you'll see the [01:01:25] buildings are really starting to [01:01:26] deteriorate and [01:01:29] um you know that's unfortunate it you [01:01:31] know it becomes becomes a safety concern [01:01:34] at some point so the fact that there's a [01:01:36] plan to sort of address those I think is [01:01:37] good [01:01:39] um so perhaps we can put it on the [01:01:41] agenda again for Monday Nicole and I'll [01:01:43] make sure that [01:01:45] um you know let's just sort of keep it [01:01:47] on the Forefront and perhaps if we can I [01:01:50] don't know when conservation is meeting [01:01:51] again [01:01:53] um [01:01:54] but maybe just to [01:01:56] um [01:01:58] sort of see where they're at with a [01:02:00] letter of support as well [01:02:02] Bill said he was going to draft it [01:02:05] okay from where's [01:02:08] okay because that's true because where [01:02:10] has already issued a letter of support [01:02:12] correct [01:02:13] they got their letter went for us [01:02:17] we've issued letters in the past yeah [01:02:20] I I don't think it's a big deal I just [01:02:22] want to be sure that I understand from [01:02:24] my own perspective from a conflict of [01:02:27] interest what I can be involved in and [01:02:29] not be involved in [01:02:31] I've made it this far without getting [01:02:33] myself in trouble I think I need to just [01:02:35] make it through one more meeting before [01:02:36] I get myself in trouble [01:02:39] um so [01:02:41] um but let's make sure that's on [01:02:42] Monday's agenda [01:02:44] um so with that said [01:02:46] um [01:02:47] just sort of under old business there's [01:02:49] a lot of things I think that are sort of [01:02:50] in the air [01:02:52] um that maybe haven't been resolved as a [01:02:54] result of [01:02:56] the voting efforts to other things so I [01:02:58] have sort of a list going I'll send that [01:03:00] to Nicole of the things that sort of [01:03:02] have been on my mind that haven't been [01:03:04] accomplished and [01:03:06] um [01:03:08] you know maybe need to be addressed in a [01:03:09] future meeting if the if the board [01:03:11] decides to to address them [01:03:17] earlier Rob anything else can we also um [01:03:21] under old business under the arpa [01:03:24] funding Nicole can we make sure we [01:03:25] address where we're at with the arpa [01:03:27] funding and it seems like there's some [01:03:29] corrections we need to do can we try to [01:03:31] get that on Monday's meeting just a [01:03:33] discussion of that sure [01:03:36] I just don't want to let that go that's [01:03:37] sort of important [01:03:40] um the other thing for Monday's meeting [01:03:42] whether we discuss it or not I'll make [01:03:44] sure you have it Nicole provided me with [01:03:46] the five years worth of expenditures so [01:03:48] we can see from a budgeting perspective [01:03:49] I will put those all into an analysis so [01:03:52] that we have those [01:03:54] um just so that that's available and [01:03:56] also the current expenditures from [01:03:59] Our Town accountant for the budgeting [01:04:02] process so hopefully that'll be a useful [01:04:04] tool [01:04:08] anything else that we um if there's [01:04:10] anything else you come up with that you [01:04:11] think needs to be on Monday's agenda you [01:04:13] can just email Nicole [01:04:15] um so that we got it on [01:04:18] we in person [01:04:20] we can be [01:04:23] the floor is not in but we can sit in [01:04:26] the room [01:04:27] I would make the suggestion that we're [01:04:29] in person then [01:04:31] um I would second that [01:04:34] um [01:04:36] um I know it's sort of a difficult thing [01:04:38] but now that you know the uh Governor [01:04:41] has approved an extended Zoom that'll be [01:04:45] something for the board to to think [01:04:47] about long term how you want to handle [01:04:49] that but maybe even just for Monday's [01:04:50] meeting [01:04:52] um we have a zoom component you know [01:04:54] it's difficult to manage but [01:04:56] um [01:04:57] just as we sort of transition into in [01:05:00] person the zoom component I understand [01:05:02] people are really interested in and [01:05:04] using still so [01:05:08] um anything else [01:05:12] I'm good [01:05:14] okay [01:05:15] um I think that was the last item on the [01:05:17] agenda [01:05:18] um so I will entertain a motion to [01:05:20] adjourn [01:05:21] motion Switcher [01:05:26] I knew him [01:05:30] the second [01:05:33] so the motion to adjourn is by move in [01:05:35] second then um I will call for a vote [01:05:37] Kelly [01:05:38] hi Rob [01:05:41] yes and Julie is a yes so the meeting is [01:05:44] adjourned at 7 36. [01:05:46] so cool we didn't um