NORTHPORT VILLAGE CORPORATION

UTILITIES DEPARTMENT MINUTES

February 1, 2008

Present: Chairman David Crofoot, Committee Members: Judy Metcalf (VIA Phone), Linda Houghton, Jane Strauss, Superintendent Dick McElhaney, and Office Manager Paul Bartels.

Chairman Crofoot called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.

Judy Metcalf motioned to approve the minutes from the last meeting.  (Vote unanimous)

Superintendent’s Report

Sewer Department

December 2007 Effluent Monitoring Data

For the month of December there were no license exceptions. The Department ended the year with no license exceptions.

Flow averaged 18,606 compared to 20,970 GPD in December 2006. Precipitation totaled 4.66 inches compared to 3.02 inches in December 2006.

December 2007 TSS and BOD averaged 1 lb/day (7 mg/l) and 2 lbs/day (15 mg/l).

See performance table below for this month’s comparisons, averages, year-to-date highs and lows, permit limits, and year-to-date violations.

Performance Table

January Snapshot

The NVC was in full compliance of its discharge license in January.

Spring Sewer Line Inspection Cost Proposal

A cost estimate for committee approval to do more camera inspections of the village sewers has been received from Ted Berry Inc. The plan is to inspect sewer lines on Cobe Road , Maple Street , Auditorium Park , Bayview Park and Bay Street and to re-inspect work completed last fall for peace of mind. A sewer cleaning truck will be on stand-by in the event one is needed so that work can be completed in one day.

Discussion of Ted Berry proposal brought out some question about the cost, Superintendent McElhaney will get answers and report back.

Interim Funding Discussions with DEP

A follow-up phone discussion with Steve McLaughlin, DEP and the NVC Utility Superintendent took place last Friday, January 25, 2008 . Steve wanted to know what projects the NVC was contemplating with the USDA RD $430,000 loan application money if approved.

Steve wrongly understood it would be used for treatment plant upgrades. The money is earmarked for sewer line repairs and replacement. Steve was wondering if the NVC would accept a one-time grant of $750,000 to replace and extend the existing outfall pipe after discussing with the Superintendent that money spent on recommended treatment plant improvements would be wasted and do nothing to improve effluent quality, which is now consistently well within the permitted pollutant allowances.

The Superintendent told Steve that if the replacement of the outfall pipe would fully satisfy the requirements of the Consent Agreement, then the NVC would probably agree to it. Steve concluded the discussion by stating he would try to get the others needed within the DEP on board with this plan and get back to us later this spring.

Chairman Crofoot pointed out that we need a formal agreement with Steve McLaughlin of DEP.

The sense of the Committee is to accept the grant money if offered for $750,000 toward construction of a new outfall, particularly if we satisfy full requirements of the Consent Agreement.  It is our feeling that upgrades to the Sewer Treatment Plant will not result in any measurable improvements in our discharge of effluent, which is well below the limits of our license.

Financial Application with the Maine Municipal Bond Bank

A Maine Municipal Bond Bank application for an up to a $200,000 construction loan is being prepared by the Department for committee approval this Friday. The loan will provide the Department with interim funding until the USDA loan is approved to replace portions of sewer line on Clinton Avenue and North Street . The NVC is urging the Department to replace these lines ahead of their plans to pave these currently unpaved roads. The Department, with the help of Village bookkeeper, Kathy Flynn, is trying to complete the Excel spreadsheet version of the application for e-mailing to committee members ahead of this Friday’s meeting.

Judy Metcalf motioned the authorizing of Superintendent McElhaney with the President and Treasurer of Northport Village Corporation to review and sign and submit any, no more than $200,000, application required by the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to facilitate the borrowing approved by the residents of NVC at their 2007 Annual Meeting. VOTED - all in favor.

Water Department

December 2007 Usage and Water Quality

Water consumption in December 2007 averaged 11,720 GPD compared to 18,139 GPD in December of 2006. The average weekly chlorine residual in the drinking water was 0.07 ppm compared to the recommended level of less than .2 ppm. The lone monthly coliform test result was negative.

Utility Applications

Nothing to report

Financials

Financials were discussed, no action taken.        

Old Business

New Business

Bartels reported that five Sewer Liens were placed January 10, 2008.

 305 Utility Bills were sent out January 15^th, approximately 30% paid, to date.

Adjourn

Crofoot moved to adjourn at 3:45 PM – Voted, All in Favor.