Tuesday, August 24, 2010
8:00 a.m.
Exhibits referenced during meeting
The meeting was called to order at 8:04 a.m. Those in attendance included Commissioners Demko, Salerno and Spath; Jim Dow; Kate Lathrop; Jim Clark, Peter Coletti, and John Hersey.
• July 13, 2010 Minutes
It was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2010 Commission meeting.
• Grievances # 17402 and #17404
Peter Coletti asked if Stephen Dempsey, the grievant, knew that this matter was going to be discussed, even if he was not in attendance. "Yes" was the answer. Commissioner Salerno explained that one purpose of the meeting was to hear and discuss the two grievances received by the Commission. There was no one in attendance from the grievant's side to present the matters. Therefore, it was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to deny the grievances based on procedural grounds. The Office Administrator will notify the grievant and the union.
• Sewer Main Break
Sewer Supervisor, Jim Dow, explained the circumstances surrounding the sewer main in Lincoln Street on August 13. (See his attached report). Commissioner Salerno commended all who worked to resolve the situation in a timely fashion and asked Supervisor Dow to thank all those involved on his behalf.
• Complaint to Board of Health
On Monday, August 23, 2010 the Sewer Commission received a copy of a complaint filed with the Board of Health regarding toilet facilities at the Broad Cove pumping station. (see attached complaint – photos available in the Commission office). Supervisor Dow explained the there has been one bathroom in the field since 1956. He explained that our crew is considered a "mobile work crew" and that the Sewer Commission is completely compliant with OSHA regulations regarding availability of sanitary facilities (see attached). He explained that the crew has been using Broad Cove as a base to start the day and to wash up before lunch and that they should not be spending more than 30 minutes a day at the station with the exception of Thursdays when they are there a bit longer to run the generator.
Commissioner Salerno suggested that for the sake of compromise, we might look into adding a toilet at Broad Cove. He asked Supervisor Dow to sit down with the crew to discuss a possible compromise. Commissioner Spath volunteered to go with Mr. Dow right after the meeting to meet with the crew.
• WRSD changeover
The changeover process in the Weir River district has been progressing more slowly than anticipated. There have been a couple of setbacks but otherwise has been going well.
• Howe Street Station
The Barrys of 60 Howe Street had expressed some concerns regarding the state of the paint at the How Street station and a tree at the station with a limb that reaches over their property. Tree and Park has trimmed the healthy tree but will not remove it. The station is in a difficult location right on the water so paint takes a lot of punishment there. Supervisor Dow will talk with Sherwin Williams to see if there is a special type of paint that should be used for those conditions and to the neighbors regarding the preferred color.
• Miscellaneous
Supervisor Dow stated that he would like to take a procurement course offered by the State in order to be in compliance with 30B. He will look into it.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 a.m.
This is a summary and does not include every point covered by the attendees, nor the full extent of the discussions. The full meeting is available on tape in the Commission Office.