Northport Village Corporation

Utilities Department

February 17, 2006

Minutes

Present: Chairman David Crofoot, Jane Strauss, Superintendent McElhaney, Judy Metcalf by telephone, and secretary Karen Hoedtke

Metcalf moved and Strauss seconded to accept the minutes of the last meeting. Voted.

Superintendent’s Report:

      SEWER DEPARTMENT

               December Monitoring Data

There was one flow violation during December; all other parameters were well within the permit allowances. Flow averaged 71,000 gpd vs. the permit allowance of 63,000 gpd and 86,000 gpd for November. December 26^th was the high day with 209,000 gpd when 1.6” of rain fell. Rainfall totaled 5.44” in December compared to 7.49” in November and 4.6” for a normal December.

               Pumps at Shore Road Main Pump Station

There have been no further incidents since the new impeller was installed on the pump.

Stevens Electric’s estimate for the cost of repairing the old pump for use as a spare was $2,400; Northeast Mechanical Services quoted a price of $4,400 for a new one and proposed two alternative pumps, both priced at $3,500 with a much shorter delivery time on the latter.

Because the cost to repair the pump was greater than 50% of the cost of a new one, McElhaney recommended scrapping the old one and purchasing a new one when needed. The Committee concurred with his recommendation.

               TV Camera Inspection Quotations of Selected Sewer Lines

A quote from Ted Berry has been received but needs to be broken down into a cost/linear foot. McElhaney is researching other companies in the state competent to perform CCTV inspections.

               The Village Dipstick (Staff Gauge)

The zero reference point of the V-notch weir was established when Moore ’s Septic pumped down the tanks and thereby stopped the flow. The staff gauge has been affixed to a portable, 7’ long stick which will enable easy reach of the weir box floor from ground level and will allow easier observation of the wet line. The use of the dipstick will enable the Department to develop a confidence level with the accuracy of the current flow measuring set-up.

               Spare Pump for PS #1, PS #2 and PS #3

A new spare pump for the three small dedicated pump stations has been received from Lynch Construction and is presently stored in the water meter storage building.

               Emergency Power for Treatment Plant

One of the DEP’s concerns under the Consent Agreement was the lack of emergency power at the treatment plant. To rectify the problem, a quote has been requested for a small gasoline generator, patch cord and auxiliary switch. The use would only be required during the chlorination season to protect swimmers.

The Committee was in favor of proceeding with a generator and hookup.

      WATER DEPARTMENT

               December Operating Data

Water consumption was up during December and averaged 16,478 gpd compared to 13,610 for the same period last year and 21,562 gpd for 2005. The above-normal usage resulted from the 100,000 gallon leak found in Birchcrest and reported at the last meeting. The high day was December 28^th at 37,322 gallons and the height of the Birchcrest leak. Chlorine residuals averaged .06 ppm; coliform test results were negative.

               Calibration of Water Vault Meter

The Village’s water meter was removed on January 20^th and taken to the Bangor Water District for calibration. The meter checked out well within the AWWA and MPUC standard; NO adjustment to the meter was needed. During the interim, water was supplied through the 2” metered bypass water line.

               Testing of Water Vault Backflow Preventer

John Dartnall, who checks the backflow preventers at the vault and school, reported that the one side of the double check on the main 6” preventer at the vault failed its test on February 8^th. (The PUC and Belfast Water District require that the backflow preventers be checked annually.) Repair was scheduled for February 17^th and a little dirt was found in the preventer which may have been dislodged at the time the meter was removed. Bangor Water District was notified of the failure and the correction.

               New Business

Paul Nyren has applied for new water and sewer services on a 10,000 sq. ft. piece of property to be subdivided from a lot of record located adjacent to and south of the Community Hall.

Metcalf moved and Crofoot seconded to recommend to the Overseers that, based on the following factors:

         The federal funds for the construction of our wastewater plant specifically stated that it was to serve the existing needs of the community with only 10% reserve capacity to serve new construction on lots of record which may be too small to have septic systems

         The existing plant operates under a 301H waiver allowing discharge of treated effluent to the ocean

         We have been in violation of the parameters of our 301H waiver limits, have been fined by the Maine DEP for violations, and are currently operating under an administrative consent agreement, and therefore do not desire to add new sewer customers

         That the creation of a new 10,000 square foot lot of record requiring sewer services constitutes an expansion of our sewer system which we cannot accommodate under these circumstances

 the application for a sewer connection be denied. Voted, 3 in the affirmative.

Metcalf moved that the meeting be adjourned at 4:00.

Respectfully submitted,