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Northport
Village Corporation Utilities
Department September
2, 2005 Minutes The
September 2nd meeting was convened at 3:00 p.m. Attending were
Overseers David Crofoot, Peter Spollett, Judy Metcalf (by phone), Superintendent
Dick McElhaney, Village Agent Bill Paige and Secretary Karen Hoedtke. The
minutes of the July meeting were accepted (there was no August meeting). Superintendent’s
Report: Sewer
Department There
were no license exceptions during July; flow averaged 49,000 gpd well below the
63,000 gpd permit allowance. July 9th was the high day at 73,725
gals. Precipitation in July was 3.15” compared to 5.46” and an average flow
of 25,000 gpd for the same period last year. TSS, BOD, pH and fecal coliform
were well within permit limits. McElhaney reported that we will be in violation
for BOD concentration during August; this has occurred before in August when
there are the most sewer users and the least dilutional I&I. Modification of
the treatment plant to allow the addition of chemicals during the summer to
settle solids would lower BOD; this option will be discussed at the time of the
final design work of the modification of the plant (Phase III). The
DEP inspected the waste treatment plant and pump stations on July 15th.
On DEP’s recommendation, McElhaney upgraded the daily logs at the pump
stations to include weekly checks on the proper functioning of the floats, high
level alarm and the propane gas tank level for the back-up generator. DEP
questioned the underground propane tank. McElhaney called in a representative of
the Maine Propane and Natural Gas Board who inspected the installation and
certified its application for underground use. McElhaney confirmed the
inspection and certification with the DEP. The
Granston sewer line was successfully rehabilitated by the Ted Berry Company on
August 17th with excavation, slip-lining, grouting, plumbing and
landscaping taking less than 8 hours. Final cost was about $5,500.
Sargent and Sargent is scheduled to re-contour and stabilize the erosion
along the road in front of the property on September 9th and will
address the problem at the McElhaney
reported that Paige had added rope to the “no swim” buoy to drop the chain
to the bottom and allow the buoy to ride properly in the water. I&I
Study Proposals: Proposals
to investigate the remaining sources of I&I have been solicited from the Ted
Berry Company and Dirigo Engineering. The present plan to locate the most
egregious leaks is to smoke test the system this fall and follow-up with camera
inspections where needed and then monitor the flow in the wet months. Crofoot
moved and Metcalf seconded to authorize McElhaney to spend up to $4,000 to have
the smoke testing performed during September. Voted. At
the time of the meter reading next week, Paige and Hoedtke are requested to
inspect for any gutters, outside drains which might drain to the sewer system,
and to start a data base of houses with foundations which may need inside
inspection for sump drains. Follow-up letters will be sent to homeowners if
necessary. Sewer
Rate Increase: The
new sewer rates take effect with the September billing. The trimester flat rate
will increase $48 from $135 to $183. Water
Department July’s
water usage averaged 43,408 gpd compared to 31,866 gpd in June and 41,613 gpd
for July of last year. July 4th was the high day at 50,323 gallons.
Distribution line chlorine residuals averaged 0.14 ppm Cl2. Coliform
testing results were negative. The
new trimesterly base rate, if approved by the PUC, will take effect October 1st
and will increase from $126.66 to $142. If notification has not been received
from PUC within a week, Hoedtke to follow up with Maine Rural Water or PUC. Metcalf
moved, Spollett seconded that Crofoot remain as chairman of the Utilities
Committee. Village
Agent Paige October
15th is traditionally the day to start water meter removal; as this
day is a Saturday, actual removal will not begin until the following week. Some
customers have asked to have their meters left in late. It is important that
they realize that if the meters are frozen or damaged, it is their
responsibility to pay for a replacement. Extra
help may be required for meter removal this year, probably won’t amount to
more than $200. Energy
Concerns: Given
that the electric rates are about 20% higher than last year, that the account
was under-budgeted, his year’s electric bills for the meter storage building
appear to be in line and no different arrangements need to be made at this time. To
prevent freeze ups in the pump stations this year, McElhaney recommends wrapping
waterproof insulation around the discharge lines. It
should be noted that since the check valve was repaired in the manhole this past
spring, the cycling of the pump from leakage has been cut dramatically. Where
the pumps were running about 10 hours/day, they now run less than 1 hour/day. Office
Report Julian
Sheffield, the Treasurer, has spent two days in the office as we are preparing
to bring the accounting in-house. Meters
will be read next week and the bills mailed out the following week. 2006
Budget The
line items should be consistent with any GASB and PUC recommendations to make
the final accounting go smoothly. If necessary, Other
Business Crofoot
noted that Harry Smith of the Belfast Water District is retiring and that Keith
Fuller will be the replacement. Paige
noted that the pumphouse requires painting next year and suggests that it be
pressure-washed this fall. McElhaney
needs to purchase a portable wire transmitter keypad to be used to calibrate the
flow meter in the well. Cost is about $100.
Use of the keypad would avoid having a confined space entry. McElhaney
reported to the DEP that the Village approved the $500,000 article at this
year’s annual meeting to support the sewer plant remediation should public
grant funds become available. The
meeting adjourned at 4:15. Respectfully
submitted, Karen
L. Hoedtke |