Time: 7:30 AM
Location: Newbury Town 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
1. Introductions
The meeting was opened at 7:40 AM by Vince Russo
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the April 18, 2006 meeting were approved by a 4-0 vote.
3. Requests for Changes and/or Additions to Agenda
Vince Russo stated that he received a letter on unpaved roads from DEP that he would like to discuss under New Business.
4. Project Coordinator Report
George Gustafson went over his report as contained in the Workgroup Package. He stated that a “lively” meeting was held by the City Council Public Utilities Committee the previous Thursday on the bond and betterment issues. He also stated that he had met with Newburyport’s auditors on the project audit and the Health Agents from both communities on the connection process. At the conclusion of the report John Moak asked for a listing of those who need to pump into the sewer system and stated that he would like to meet with Brendan O’Regan and George Gustafson on the connection process. Gustafson to set up the meeting.
John Donovan made a presentation on the possibility of using open space asphalt on the unpaved roads stating that CDM’s conclusion, after looking at the application, was that it was not practicable for Plum Island’s unpaved roads. John’s presentation led into a discussion of the unpaved roads issue. Vince Russo stated that he had received a letter from DEP formally rejecting the proposed settlement on the issue. He then presented a copy of an email he had sent to Town’s attorney offering his opinion on the issue and the Town’s position on the matter. A general discussion on the issue followed without any formal action.
Brendan O’ Regan went over his activities for the month.
On the motion of Dave Hanlon both reports were accepted by a 4-0 vote.
5. Old Business
No old business was discussed.
6. New Business
Since the issue of unpaved roads was discussed under the Project Coordinator’s Report no New Business was discussed.
7. Approval of Bills
George Lawler questioned whether the Kopelman & Paige bill should be part of the Plum Island project cost since most of it was related to the Reservation Terrace issue. Due to a lack of consensus this bill (which is a Newburyport cost only) it was removed from the warrant. With the removal of the Kopelman & Paige invoice, bills as contained in the Workgroup’s package, in the total amount of $90,724.21, were approved by a vote of 4-0 based on the Project Coordinator’s recommendation.
8. Citizen Comments
Dave McFarlane expressed his concerns on the pipe and fittings being used on the connection process. Brendan O’Regan explained that the specification for fittings on the project have been changed to reduce the cost to the homeowner. Brendan also explained the requirement for 22 ½ degree bends is a City standard because they have found that connections with 45 degree bends are hard to clean. John Donovan explained the need for a SDR 21 pipe versus SDR 35 pipe. Gustafson to get the price differential between the SDR 21 and SDR 35 pipe and mail Brendan’s memo on fittings to Dave McFarlane.
9. Next meeting date, time and location
The next meeting of the Workgroup will be held on June 5, 2006 at the Newburyport City Hall at 7:30 AM.
10. Adjournment
The Workgroup voted to adjourn by 4-0 vote at approximately 8:45 AM.
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