Tuesday, October 26, 2010
8:00 a.m.
• Meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m. Those present included Commissioners Salerno and Demko, Jim Dow, and Kate Lathrop.
• August 24, 2010 minutes
It was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the August 24, 2010 Commission meeting.
• Central/Thaxter Street Betterments
It was moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to assess betterments for the properties benefited by the Thaxter and lower Central Street projects in the amount of $222,332 to be allocated at $19,868 for each Central Street property and $20,814 for each Thaxter Street property.
• Cliff Boyle correspondence
The Commission was provided with a copy of the most recent correspondence from Mr. Boyle regarding his property at 134 Rockland Street. The Commission confirmed the manner in which the charge for extra bedrooms is being calculated and Mr. Boyle will receive a letter to that effect.
• Operations Manual
Jim Dow outlined steps that hive been taken to comply more fully with suggestions made by the Division of Occupational Safety. While Hingham Sewer is well ahead of other towns and is in compliance with DOS policies, some steps are being taken to make the department operations even safer. An example of this is the recent purchase of a harness to be used when accessing wet wells and a gas meter. The new entry protocol has been reviewed with the crew.
Mr. Dow continues to work on the Operations Manual he will give to each crew member. It will be reviewed by the Commission and the Labor Relations Board, if possible and necessary changes will then be made. When completed it will allow a new crew member to step into the job and be fully informed of operations. The crew will be given time during working hours to read the manual and discuss any questions it may raise for them.
• Hull IMA issues
There have been issues regarding the metering of Cohasset flow to Hull through the West Corner Station and sampling of the output. A letter will be sent to the Cohasset Sewer Commission regarding the former and Mr. Dow has spoken to Ed Petrilak of the Cohasset Treatment Plant regarding sampling.
• WRSD minimum charges
The Commission moved, seconded, and voted unanimously to increase the minimum annual sewer use charge to $160 for both sewer districts beginning with the preliminary fiscal 2012 bill.
• 2012 Budgets
The Sewer Department will work to level fund the fiscal 12 budget but a 2% reduction would be impossible to implement. Mr. Dow explained that he holds most of the Capital Outlay funds until close to the end of each fiscal year in order to allow the department to fund projects the MUST be done before funding projects deemed desirable only. For fiscal 2011 we will hold off on the trailer jet requested due to other issues including impellers and pumps.
• Easements for Fearing Road
The Board of Selectmen will consider a grant of location for a line in Fearing Road. Jeff Tocchio of Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan has drafted language for the Selectmen regarding this.
• Commissioner Salerno applauded Mr. Dow for providing lighting to the South Shore Country Club's Halloween party when the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant refused to. It is important for town entities to assist one another.
• CWMP update
Katy Lacy discussed the current state of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. With regard to wastewater disposal at the Hingham Industrial Park, DEP has stated that we need to provide additional information. Ms. Lacy will prepare a draft letter to send to the CWMP Committee to up-date them on the Industrial Park situation.
• Commission Meetings
Beginning in December 2010, the Commission with meet on the first Tuesday of each month beginning at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m.
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kate Lathrop, Office Administrator
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