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Northport
Village Corporation Utilities
Department July 8, 2005 Minutes Present: Chairman David Crofoot, Bill Cressey, Judy Metcalf, Superintendent Dick McElhaney, Beverly Crofoot and Karen Hoedtke. Also, Priscilla Granston, Ashley Gray and daughter Peggy Klotzle, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Norton, Tracy and Craig Poulin. The minutes of the May meeting were approved; there was no meeting in June for lack of a quorum. Superintendent’s Report: Sewer Department There were violations for flow in May and June as the I & I from heavier than normal rainfall continued. Flow during May averaged 111,000 gpd (nearly double what the NVC permit allows). On May 26th the flow peaked at 457,760 gals. Precipitation in May was 8.46” compared to 5.55” and a flow of 54,000 for the same period last year. TSS, BOD, pH were well within the NVC permit limits. Weekly fecal coliform testing has been negative. Fernie Barton has been monitoring the chlorine feed system and residuals twice daily since May 15th to insure the effluent is sufficiently sanitized to protect swimmers. Denise Behr of the DEP is scheduled to inspect the facility and its records at 9 a.m. July 15, 2005. Roto-Rooter inspected the sewer main which services the Granston property to insure that the insertion of a new line into the existing line could be performed. The line was open and cleaner than expected from manhole #3000 on the Poulin property to a point beneath the Granston cottage. Work on the line, which had been scheduled with Lynch Construction for the week of June 27th, was postponed pending further discussions with the property owners. The Ted Berry Company has been contacted for another approach to repairing this main, which has significant I&I. A “No Swimming” buoy has been placed at the end of the outfall; Bill Paige coordinated the installation effort. The buoy is floating too low in the water; McElhaney will contact the vendor and a solution will be sought. A letter was sent to Kevin Coughlin and Patti Lowery regarding their complaints alleging erosion as a result of the pump station installation. An erosion mat was put down and appears to be effective as grass is growing. There has been no further correspondence. The property has been sold. The new owners of one of the properties should be given the opportunity to plant around the pump station. A sewer rate increase was approved by the Overseers at their May 22nd meeting. A notice will be sent to the residents regarding this action. A public hearing on the sewer rate increase is scheduled for July 30, 2005, to follow the 10:00 a.m. public hearing on the water rate increase. Water Department Consumption during May averaged 17,575 gpd compared to 21,200 gpd during the same period last year, and 12,769 gpd during April. May 29th was the high day at 32,523 gals. Weekly tests for chlorine residuals in the distribution system averaged 0.15 mg/l compared to a recommended range of trace to .20 mg/l. The monthly test for coliforms was negative. A public hearing to discuss the water rate increase has been scheduled for July 30, 2005, at 10 a.m. The Maine Rural Water Association (MRWA) filed the required documents with the PUC on Jun 30, 2005. A copy of the filing may be viewed in the NVC office. Notices (both water and sewer) will be mailed to all residents by the July 16, 2005 deadline. MRWA will submit the legal notice to the BDN and local newspapers. The
EPA and State require the sampling and testing of water for lead and copper
every three years. The Department wishes to thank Joy Armbrust, Beverly Crofoot,
The 2004 Consumer Confidence Report on the water quality was mailed to NVC customers in June. The Warrant article for the annual meeting was discussed. It requests authority to borrow up to $500,000 in support of the project agreed to by the DEP and the Village to upgrade our existing plant, remediate I&I, and extend the sewer outfall. This project cannot be embarked upon until significant grant money is available from the state. The sum of $500,000 is what our newly increased sewer rate would allow the wastewater budget to support in new debt service. Hoedtke reported that about 40 shut-off notices were sent out. These stimulated payment of most overdue accounts. No actual shut-offs occurred, although one resident is in default of a payment arrangement and water has not been turned on for the season. Two customers made new payment arrangements. Hoedtke is concerned that overdue payers pay their water bill but neglect their overdue sewer bill. She will include better notice of overdue sewer accounts in overdue notices sent to customers. Priscilla
Granston, Ashley Gray, the Nortons and the Poulins attended the meeting at our
request. The Utility Department explained the current problems relating to the The meeting was adjourned at 4:30. Respectfully submitted, Karen L. Hoedtke |