NORTHPORT VILLAGE CORPORATION

UTILITIES DEPARTMENT MINUTES

July 11, 2008

Present: Chairman David Crofoot; Committee Members: Linda Houghton, Judy Metcalf, Judy Rohweder, Jane Strauss; Superintendent Dick McElhaney; Office Manager Paul Bartels.  

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

Judy Metcalf moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting Linda Houghton seconded.  (Voted – All in Favor)

Superintendent’s Report

Sewer Department

May 2008 Effluent Monitoring Data

The NVC was in full compliance of its wastewater discharge license in May. There were no license exceptions.                                                                                                                                                                                            April.

Flow averaged 15,855 gpd compared to 20,177 gpd in May of 2007. The high day was on May 1st at 46,000. The low was 7,800 on May 21^st.  Precipitation during the month totaled 2.31 inches compared to 3.75 inches in May of 2007.

TSS and BOD averaged 1.5 lbs/day (17 mg/l) and 4 lbs/day (53 mg/l), respectively.

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

Note: The last NVC Sewer Dept. violation was in February of 2006 and for flow.

June 2008 Snapshot

The NVC Sewer Department was in full compliance with its discharge license in June. Flow averaged 10,067 gpd. Rainfall totaled by the Belfast Water District at Little River was 2.31 inches.

Dedicated Pump Stations on Shore Road

On odor complaint was received on July 3^rd in the area of the three dedicated pump stations on Shore Road . Pumps, alarms and floats on pump stations 2 and 3 were functioning as designed. However, the pump at pump station 1 had tripped out on overload and the wet well was full and trickling over a small amount (but odorous) onto the ground. The high water alarm was found to be in the off position and had been probably off since last May when the check valve was removed from this station and last serviced. The pump was reset and the high water alarm was placed back into service. It was noted that the audio portion of the alarm would not fully silence and accordingly, it was de-activated. The visual alarm is still working. The Department will keep a closer eye on this station until Stevens Electric can take a look at it when they are scheduled for their annual inspection of the Shore Road Main Pumping Station later this summer.

14 Broadway Sewer Back-up

A report of a sewer back-up at 14 Broadway was received on July 4^th. It is believed that the back-up was isolated to this cottage only. Further information will be provided at the July 11th Utility Committee meeting pending further discussions with Bill Paige.  A plug was discovered in the sewer main and removed with a high power router.  Residents will not be charged for the service.

Discussion of this problem lead to discovery of a need for documentation of the Village’s Sewer and Water systems.  Line items will be put on the next budget for hiring consultants - with the advice and guidance of Bill Paige in particular -  for mapping the areas needed.

Clinton Avenue/North Street Sewer Replacement Project

Weather permitting, September 15^th will be the start day for replacing the sewer line on Clinton Avenue . Dean Brown Construction estimates it will take two weeks to complete the project. The Department hopes to schedule the replacement of the sewer line on North Street starting on September 29th, but has not confirmed this with Ted Berry, Inc as of yet.

Property owners will be identified and sent a letter about the project and make it clear that they will have to replace bad pipe on their property at their expense.  The letter will also explain that any replacements can be made through the utility department at a reasonable price.

Hydrant Garden Hose

The Department has asked Bill Paige to install a lockable spigot for a garden hose on the hydrant next to the treatment plant. The hydrant is fed with water from the fire pond and will be labeled as non-potable. The hose is desirable to better maintain the influent headworks and effluent weir box during the warm weather months. The hose can be used for watering flowers at the base of Ruggles Park as well.

The faucet will be installed at the expense of the Utility department.

Water Department

May 2008 Usage and Water Quality

Water consumption during May averaged 18,012 gpd compared to 11,858 gpd last month and 17,638 gpd in May of 2007. The average weekly chlorine residual in the drinking water was .07 ppm compared to the recommended level of less than .2 ppm. The lone monthly coliform test result was negative.

2008 Lead and Copper Testing

The Water Department will be contacting 10 hopeful participants for this year’s lead and copper testing. The testing is required every 3 years from water samples taken from individual residences in addition to one sample for disinfection by-products taken from the vault. We hope to delivery the samples to participants on July 18^th for sampling and pick up on July 25^th. The results will be shared with the participants and the Utility Committee and will be also included in the 2008 Consumer Confidence Report when it is issued next year.

Financials

Financial reports were reviewed.  Utility Trustees expressed their appreciation for the thorough and clear reports prepared by the bookkeeper and treasurer.  Of particular help is the clear expression of due dates on the various bonds outstanding for the water and sewer department.  Questions were asked regarding the following: status of receipt of FEMA money deposited in NVC General Account for outfall pipe repair; and lack of parity between New Service fees and the New Service expenses.  Dick and the bookkeeper will Confer and report back to the Trustees.

Adjourn

Judy Metcalf moved David Crofoot seconded to adjourn at 3:25 PM –Voted, All in Favor. 

Next meeting scheduled for August 8, 2008, 2:30 PM.

Submitted by Paul Bartels