Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Newburyport City Hall
Present:
Members:
John Moak, Mayor- Newburyport
Vince Russo, Selectman- Newbury
Dave Hanlon, Sewer Commission
George Lawler, Water Commission
Staff:
Brendan O’Regan, Director of Public Services
George Gustafson, Plum Island Project Coordinator
Also Present:
John Donovan, CDM
Bill Squillace, City Auditor
Sen. Bruce Tarr
1. Introductions
The meeting was opened at 2:05 PM by Mayor Moak
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 8, 2006 meeting were approved by a 4-0 vote.
3. Requests for Changes and/or Additions to Agenda
No changes or additions were made to the Agenda
4. Project Coordinator Report
George Gustafson went over his report as contained in the Workgroup Package focusing on construction activities, meetings with DEP relative to the sand and unpaved roads issues and communications with homeowners and contractors relative to the connection process. Vince Russo and Mayor Moak asked that the letter to the homeowners be edited by them prior to it being sent. As part of Gustafson’s report John Donovan asked if the letter from CDM relative to the Wetland’s Delineation Map, as contained in the Workgroup Package, could be sent to the Plum Island Beach Association. By a 4-0 vote the Workgroup authorized CDM to send the letter.
Brendan O’ Regan went over his activities for the month.
5. Old Business
a. Connection Coordinator- Based on a request at the last Workgroup meeting Gustafson was asked to review the need for a coordinator for the connection process. In response to that request Gustafson prepared a memorandum as contained in the Workgroup Package outlining duties, compensation requirements and proposed methodologies for paying for the position. The Workgroup voted 4-0 to recommend the hiring a connection coordinator on a contractual basis and that the Newburyport Water and Sewer Commissions raise the combined connection fees for water and sewer hookup by $15 from a total of $485 to $500 to finance the position. Which connection fee (i.e. water or sewer) to be increased and how the cost would be shared between the Water and Sewer Departments was to be left up to the Water and Sewer Commissions.
b. Change Order No 8 to Contract 1- Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $19,500 was approved by a 4-0 vote.
c. Witness flags for fire hydrants- The Workgroup voted 4-0 to reimburse the Newburyport Water Department $1,323 for the purchase of 126 witness flags on Plum Island.
6. New Business
a. Fire Connection for the Blue Inn- Gustafson reported that the Blue Inn contacted him and requested that they be allowed to connect their fire sprinkler system to the water system prior to the time they are allowed to tie in their domestic service. Gustafson reported that their proposed connection was discussed at a technical meeting held the prior week with CDM and Water Department personnel present and that there was no technical reason why they could not tie in. The Workgroup voted 4-0 to allow the Blue Inn to tie into the water system early for fire suppression purposes only.
7. Approval of Bills
Bills, as contained in the Workgroup’s package, in the total amount of $ 168,816.24 were approved by a vote of 4-0 based on the Project Coordinator’s recommendation.
8. Citizen Comments
a. Bob Conner asked for a more detailed description of the of the paving proposal with DEP and whether a detailed failure analysis was performed on the effect of snow plows damaging the vacuum pits. Gustafson responded to the paving agreement issue while Donovan responded to the failure analysis issue.
b. John Hartnett expressed his concerns relative to the connection process. In response to Mayor Moak asked John to write letter stating his concerns.
c. A Grant Street resident (father and son) expressed their desire to have Grant Street paved.
d. Paul Wilkinson expressed his concerns relative to the connection process.
e. Sen. Tarr offered the help of his office in settling the paving of unpaved roads issue.
9. Next meeting date, time and location
The next meeting of the Workgroup will be held on May 8, 2006 at the Newbury Town Hall at 7:30 AM.
10. Adjournment
The Workgroup voted to adjourn by 4-0 vote at approximately 4:00 PM.
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