The lead service replacement program was a focal point of the board’s discussions, with the recently secured federal earmark of $1.092 million described as an “outstanding” addition to the project’s budget. The board intends to use this funding to supplement the remaining $600,000 from a previous wind grant. These financial resources aim to accelerate the replacement of the city’s aging lead service lines, with plans to replace an additional 200 lines in late summer or early fall.

Despite these advancements, the board acknowledged the challenges of engaging residents in the inspection process, noting that approximately 2,000 lead services remain unidentified. The board discussed various outreach strategies, including mail notifications, phone calls, and door-to-door hangers, to encourage resident participation. A debated proposal involved using a curb key to turn off water services for non-compliant residents. The chair suggested implementing a program for service discontinuance, which would notify residents of potential charges if they failed to respond to inspection requests. This proposal led to further discussion on the legality and potential need for city council approval for a non-responsive fee.

In addition to lead service replacement, the board approved several change orders related to infrastructure projects. A notable change order involved the Woodward and Curran project for lead service replacements, amounting to $139,000 for resident inspection time. Another approval was for phase 20 of the water main replacement program, with a change order of $445,000 for project management services and resident inspection costs. This project, particularly along Jefferson Street, is set to include full roadway reconstruction and improvements to curbing and sidewalks, aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety. The board discussed using innovative epoxy linings for water pipes, which offer greater strength and corrosion resistance compared to traditional cement linings, with minimal disruption due to installation through test pits.

Chemical contract awards were another topic of interest during the meeting. The board reviewed bids and awarded contracts for essential water treatment chemicals. The low bid for caustic soda was awarded to Bordon and Remington at $296,240, while Holland and Company secured a bid for 800,000 pounds of poly aluminum chloride at $188,000. Additional bids for carbon dioxide and sodium hypochlorite were also awarded, with the latter priced at $136,960. The board noted that overall prices were lower this year, contrary to inflationary trends, with only sodium hydroxide showing a slight increase.

The board discussed financial strategies for using retained earnings, amounting to $2,218,051, to fund projects without increasing the burden on ratepayers through loans. The plan proposed transferring $600,000 to a stabilization account, aligning with the recommended 10% of the operating budget. Proposed expenditures included $850,000 for raw and finished water pump rehabilitation and $200,000 for improvements at the Copa Cut pump station. These improvements address previous emergency restrictions due to pump failures and involve roof replacements and electrical upgrades to ensure compliance with modern standards. The board also allocated $120,000 to replace equipment in the reservation area, contributing to essential maintenance efforts.

Lastly, the board reviewed and approved several other contracts and extensions. Westport’s billing review confirmed payment for water usage during a significant fire incident. Contract extensions for Ferrera Construction Company and Santech were noted, with no additional costs incurred. Fall River Electrical Services received a $35,000 contract for emergency electrical work related to pumps, and Rhode Island Analytical was awarded a $26,868 contract for water testing services.