The condition of the water treatment facility’s electrical system emerged as a critical point. Participants noted inadequacies, including the use of a long extension cord from a transformer to the plant, which led to voltage fluctuations that stressed equipment and posed risks of damage. Concerns about the electrical supply’s capacity underscored the need for larger conductors to mitigate voltage drop, a problem persisting for years. An Eversource representative confirmed the current setup was improperly approved, prompting calls for an upgrade plan.

Discussions turned to the SCADA project, with a focus on recent change orders and funding challenges. Change order number seven, involving motor control schematic updates and safety enhancements, proposed an increase of $28,218.51, extending the project’s substantial completion date. Concerns about funding arose, as only $3,000 remained in the budget, already earmarked for engineering costs. The total contract costs, including prior changes, approached $943,251, necessitating consultations with the finance team to explore funding options. Safety upgrades were deemed a priority, with discussions highlighting the need for immediate action to address risks, such as inadequate emergency shutdown systems.

The Mass DEP’s consent order update was another focal point, addressing violations of disinfection byproduct rules. With the ozone system offline, disinfection byproducts increased, breaching DEP guidelines. Short-term goals to rectify this included exploring a secondary water inlet from Wong Pond, improving the inline basket strainer to prevent plant shutdowns, and reinstating or redesigning the ozone treatment system. An $80,000 grant was secured for designing the raw water intake system, but a larger request for ozone construction was denied, highlighting the need for precise cost estimates.

In light of these challenges, the board considered reallocating funds from other projects to address the SCADA and ozone design needs. A motion was approved to reallocate $75,000 for the ozone design and $50,000 for the basket screener design.

The meeting also tackled the leak in a pump station, which led to a drop in water pressure. Efforts to identify the leak pinpointed the issue to the McDonald’s valve. The incident prompted discussions on improving communication during emergencies and exploring partnerships with the DOT for future infrastructure projects.

Lastly, the board appointed Sarah to the finance committee, addressing quorum challenges and emphasizing the importance of integrating the town accountant into the budgeting process for improved financial oversight. Public comments focused on media inquiry protocols, with a commitment to ensuring clarity in future meetings.