01:55The meeting’s focal point was the appeal from a resident, Mr. Reposa, concerning his storm water fee. Mr. Reposa contested the charge, arguing that due to the elevated position of his property, storm water did not contribute to the city’s drainage system. He expressed surprise upon receiving the fee notification and explained that his property had been exempt from such fees since 2008. However, an ordinance amendment in 2010 expanded the criteria for fee imposition, leading to his current billing. Despite Mr. Reposa’s assertions that his property’s runoff did not reach the system, the commission maintained that all properties within the watershed must contribute to storm water management efforts, as the infrastructure benefits the entire community.

15:28During the appeal discussion, it emerged that Mr. Reposa had not been charged the fee for approximately 16 years due to an exemption error, which was only recently identified during a review by billing clerks. The commission clarified that while they do not retroactively charge fees, they ensure future compliance. The appeal was recommended for denial.

19:01Another topic was the unexpected spike in chlorine usage at the wastewater treatment plant. The commission reported a tripling of chlorine consumption, attributed to unforeseen biological processes affecting disinfection needs. Despite rigorous testing of chlorine quality, the increased requirement was noted as an anomaly, raising concerns about maintaining accurate chemical inventory records to prevent shortages. The budget for chemicals for the upcoming fiscal year was set at approximately $1.3 million, with bids from suppliers reflecting projected needs. A motion to approve chemical supply contracts totaling around $811,412 was unanimously passed.

36:06Infrastructure projects also featured prominently in the meeting. The commission discussed the ongoing 1A project, which involves sewer line replacement from Route 24 into the landfill. The need for additional funding for contract administration and inspection services was highlighted, all funded through a State Revolving Fund loan. Concerns about environmental impacts warranted the presence of a full-time inspector on-site, emphasizing the project’s complexity and financial significance. The contract for these services, valued at $300,000, was awarded to Woodard & Curran, alongside an additional $50,000 amendment to complete design work for the Mother’s Brook project.

54:42The meeting also covered a change order for the Oak Grove emergency sewer replacement, amounting to approximately 1.438 million dollars. This adjustment was necessary due to unforeseen underground conditions, such as ledges obstructing sewer line installation. The commission faced challenges in managing project costs and timelines, with members advocating for improved upfront engineering to avoid similar issues in future projects. The change order was approved unanimously.

01:17:48Furthermore, the commission explored advances in asset management through the implementation of a cloud-based program integrated with 3D scanning technology. The initiative, using the Utility Cloud software, aims to transition from paper records to a digital format. The program allows for detailed tracking of assets and work orders, with a goal of linking all assets by the end of summer.