HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-14Nantucket Water Commission , F U C
Minutes of Tuesday, November 14, 2019 .14' N C L C I .'
1. Meeting Called to Order: The meeting was called to order at 8:02 AM.
2. Acceptance of Agenda: The Commission accepted the agenda as printed by
unanimous consent.
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Acceptance of Minutes for October 17, 2019 and Executive Session October 29,
2019: Motion was made by Commissioner Reinhard and seconded by Commissioner
Eldridge, to approve the minutes for the October 17, 2019 meeting and Executive
Session meeting October 29, 2019 as presented and authorized the chair to sign.
S. Memorandum of Agreement Nantucket Water Commission and Siasconset Water
Commission: Mrs. Holdgate presented the Memorandum of Agreement to the
Commission and upon unanimous consent, it was presented to the chair to sign.
6. Acceptance of Easements for 1 and 3 Goose Cove Avenue: Motion was made by
Commissioner Reinhard and seconded by Commissioner Slavitz to accept easements
from the owners of 1 Goose Cove Avenue and easements from the owners of 3
Goose Cove Avenue. The motion was accepted by unanimous consent, and
Commissioners Reinhard, Slavitz and Eldridge signed the easements which were
notarized by Linda Roberts, Projects Manager/Public Notary.
7. Public Comment: None
8. Production and Billing Report: Mr. Willett presented the Production and Billing
report to the Commission, stating first quarter was slightly lower than the same
period last year — down 2% in production/pumping. Mr. Willett also stated rainfall is
up with October having 13 inches of rain, which he said can attribute to the lower
pumping numbers.
9. Execution of Contracts if any pending: None.
10. Director's Report: Mr. Willett informed the Commission on the status of the Merger
with Siasconset, stating it is still in process at the State House and we are waiting to
hear news. Mr. Willett stated he and Mrs. Holdgate met with Finance Director, Brian
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A meeting of the Nantucket Water Commission was held on Thu("E&V.r_NcFJ0mftfr124,2
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2019 at the offices of the Wannacomet Water Company, 1 Milestone Road, Nantucket,
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Massachusetts.
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Commissioners present: Commissioners Allen Reinhard, Nonie Slavitz and Nelson
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Eldridge were present. Commissioners absent: None. Staff & Guests: Mark Willett -
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Director, Heidi Holdgate - Business Manager, Christopher Pykosz — Operations Manager,
Denese Allen - Assistant Business Manager and Linda Roberts — Projects Manager.
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1. Meeting Called to Order: The meeting was called to order at 8:02 AM.
2. Acceptance of Agenda: The Commission accepted the agenda as printed by
unanimous consent.
3. Public Comment: None.
4. Acceptance of Minutes for October 17, 2019 and Executive Session October 29,
2019: Motion was made by Commissioner Reinhard and seconded by Commissioner
Eldridge, to approve the minutes for the October 17, 2019 meeting and Executive
Session meeting October 29, 2019 as presented and authorized the chair to sign.
S. Memorandum of Agreement Nantucket Water Commission and Siasconset Water
Commission: Mrs. Holdgate presented the Memorandum of Agreement to the
Commission and upon unanimous consent, it was presented to the chair to sign.
6. Acceptance of Easements for 1 and 3 Goose Cove Avenue: Motion was made by
Commissioner Reinhard and seconded by Commissioner Slavitz to accept easements
from the owners of 1 Goose Cove Avenue and easements from the owners of 3
Goose Cove Avenue. The motion was accepted by unanimous consent, and
Commissioners Reinhard, Slavitz and Eldridge signed the easements which were
notarized by Linda Roberts, Projects Manager/Public Notary.
7. Public Comment: None
8. Production and Billing Report: Mr. Willett presented the Production and Billing
report to the Commission, stating first quarter was slightly lower than the same
period last year — down 2% in production/pumping. Mr. Willett also stated rainfall is
up with October having 13 inches of rain, which he said can attribute to the lower
pumping numbers.
9. Execution of Contracts if any pending: None.
10. Director's Report: Mr. Willett informed the Commission on the status of the Merger
with Siasconset, stating it is still in process at the State House and we are waiting to
hear news. Mr. Willett stated he and Mrs. Holdgate met with Finance Director, Brian
Turbitt and Assistant Town Manager, Rachel Day, regarding the FY21 Budget, and
reviewed what would happen if the merger does happen, confirming we would still
be able to keep track of Siasconset income/expenses separately. Commissioner
Reinhard asked about the five -person board and Mr. Willett confirmed that two of
the Siasconset Commissioners would be able to move over to the Nantucket Water
Commission and remain there until the next election, where they could run to
remain in the seats if they wished. Commissioner Slavitz commented that the Chair
position would need to be by vote with a five -person board, rather than on a
rotational basis, as it currently is.
a. North Liberty & Sherburne Turnpike area update: Mr. Willett informed the
Commission the project has started and is going well, mentioning some issues
may come up with the sewer portion because the sewer department does not
currently know where all the sewer lines are in some of the areas. Mr. Willett
stated that he is concerned because Mr. McNeil is now planning to do the
drainage portion of the project after the new water and sewer lines are installed,
and he has procured a separate engineer to do the plans for the project. Much
discussion ensued, and Mr. Willett assured the Commission we will update them
when we know any definitive plans. Mr. Willett also stated that timing issues
may arise with the sewer portion because the sewer department is missing
elevation information on their sewer man holes and lines and that David Gray is
looking into getting answers to the questions regarding the information needed.
b. Midland Ave & Columbus Ave update: Mr. Willett asked the Commission if they
would agree to attend a meeting next week to approve the minutes of this
meeting so Mrs. Roberts can get the minutes with the easements recorded. Mr.
Willett also mentioned the contract with Haley and Ward for the Engineering
work for the Midland project exceeds the $50,000.00 threshold and will also
need the Commissioners to sign to execute. The Commissioners unanimously
agreed to meet next week on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 8:00 AM.
c. Hydraulic Model: Mr. Willett informed the Commission the engineering firm
Tata & Howard is working on the Hydrolic Model project stating engineers were
here last week measuring hydrant flows in order to use real field date for
calibration of the model. Mr. Willett also stated the Article Funding from town
meeting for Water Distribution Improvements and Pumping Implementation
gives us flexibility to use the funds for the work where needed.
d. Budget Fiscal Year 2021: Mr. Willett commended Mr. Pykosz, Mrs. Holdgate and
Mrs. Allen for a job well done preparing the data for the FY21 Budget
projections. Mr. Willett explained to the Commission we have a new software
platform this year for working on the budget called OpenGov, which has
simplified the process and will allow the Finance Committee to look at similar
entries across the different departments in a uniform manner. Mr. Willett stated
we have budgeted for approximately 1/3 less connections in FY2021 based on
our assumptions and research, which equates to around a total of 50 new
connections. Mrs. Holdgate presented the certified retained earnings report to
the Commission of $3,827,757.00, which is now certified by the Department of
Revenue. Commissioner Slavitz asked if this dollar amount is close to the dollar
amount Peter Lamb had suggested we keep for retained earnings and Mrs.
Holdgate said yes, it is reflective of the suggested percent of earnings. Mr.
Willett mentioned that the sewer department is looking at implementing a
tiered rate structure and that a similar tiered structure will be required in the
future for water as well, as this will most likely be mandated by DEP in the
future. Mrs. Holdgate also announced the FY21 Budget Hearing with the Finance
Committee currently is scheduled for January 21, 2020 at 4pm.
8. Commissioner's comments and reserved for unforeseen items for discussion by
the Chair: Mrs. Holdgate informed the Commission we currently have an intern at
Wannacomet, Connor Allen, 17 years old, who is shadowing our Water Technicians
for a school project and he will be writing a report based on the 100 hours here at
WWCO. Commissioners were overall delighted to hear of a young student interested
in learning more about the water world and public service employment.
9. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Commission,
amotion was made to adjourn the meeting. This motion was made by Commissioner
Reinhard, seconded by Commissioner Slavitz and unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:24
AM. The next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 8:00
AM at 1 Milestone Road.
Approved: 2,4,4�
Date: /�° O`
Meeting packet included 11/14/19 Agenda, Production and Billing Report and Minutes
from the October 17th and 29th, 2019 meetings.
Next Regular Meeting Scheduled December 12th, 2019 at 8:00 AM.