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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS EMERGENCY MEETING MINUTES 8-25-1999Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, and Selectmen Amoroso, McCarter, and Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager Beatrice Kearney, Town Accountant Mike Ahern, DPW Special Projects Manager Paul Howard, Tata & Howard Ron Ponte, Tata & Howard Chairwoman Royle called an emergency meeting of the Board of Selectmen to discuss the failure of the second half of the Walsh Wellfreld. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions such as: • whether or not Tata & Howard performed inspections of the piping work at the time of the initial construction of the wellfreld (to which Mr. Howard responded that he was not hired by the town to conduct fill -titre inspections but that he did recommend then); • why the leaks in the field did not become apparent during the first testing phase (to which Mr. Howard responded that the high groundwater at that tittle nay have »asked the leaks or more leaks nay have occurred since that tine); • whether or not the leaks are causing significant damage, cost to repair the second side of the wellfeld, and why the first side cost $83,000 (Mr. Howard responded that the leaks are not causing significant damage and the cost to repair the second side would be front $100,0004200, 000. Mr. Ahern stated that the cost of the piping alone for the first side of the field cost $40, 000 and recommended moving ahead and repairing the second side); Motion: To ask the Finance Committee to reconsider their vote forthwith on the $83,000 transfer request to fund repairs to the first half of the wellfreld. (McCarter -No Second) Mr. Howard stated de- watering costs for the second half of the field could be $20,000 - $50,000 and that based on present conditions, if the Town acts immediately, money could be saved because of minimal de- watering efforts. Discussion followed concerning revising the piping design (as was done on the first half) to reduce the potential for leaks in the second side, which environmental problems can the Board expect to be encountered, cost to repair the second side immediately, and timeframe to establish a more accurate cost estimate. _ RECEIVED "`! li' r Board of Selectmen "E Emergency Meeting 99 SEP 21 AM 9: 07 Minutes August 25,1999 IELD 6:30 PM , C`+ SS C,U$ETTS Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, and Selectmen Amoroso, McCarter, and Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager Beatrice Kearney, Town Accountant Mike Ahern, DPW Special Projects Manager Paul Howard, Tata & Howard Ron Ponte, Tata & Howard Chairwoman Royle called an emergency meeting of the Board of Selectmen to discuss the failure of the second half of the Walsh Wellfreld. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions such as: • whether or not Tata & Howard performed inspections of the piping work at the time of the initial construction of the wellfreld (to which Mr. Howard responded that he was not hired by the town to conduct fill -titre inspections but that he did recommend then); • why the leaks in the field did not become apparent during the first testing phase (to which Mr. Howard responded that the high groundwater at that tittle nay have »asked the leaks or more leaks nay have occurred since that tine); • whether or not the leaks are causing significant damage, cost to repair the second side of the wellfeld, and why the first side cost $83,000 (Mr. Howard responded that the leaks are not causing significant damage and the cost to repair the second side would be front $100,0004200, 000. Mr. Ahern stated that the cost of the piping alone for the first side of the field cost $40, 000 and recommended moving ahead and repairing the second side); Motion: To ask the Finance Committee to reconsider their vote forthwith on the $83,000 transfer request to fund repairs to the first half of the wellfreld. (McCarter -No Second) Mr. Howard stated de- watering costs for the second half of the field could be $20,000 - $50,000 and that based on present conditions, if the Town acts immediately, money could be saved because of minimal de- watering efforts. Discussion followed concerning revising the piping design (as was done on the first half) to reduce the potential for leaks in the second side, which environmental problems can the Board expect to be encountered, cost to repair the second side immediately, and timeframe to establish a more accurate cost estimate. -- Motion: To direct the Town Manager to direct the DPW Director to go forthwith and take any and all action to determine the estimate to fix the far side of the Walsh Wellfield. (McCarter - Wills) All in favor. Passes. Discussion followed concerning funding for the repairs. The Water Enterprise Capital Account balance is $172,500, all of which is allocated for specific capital projects. Mr. D'Agostino suggested the funds could be used for the repairs and replenished at the Special Town Meeting. Mr. D'Agostino also stated that there is a balance of $290,107 in an excess water revenue account and $263,209 in a water capital account and suggested transferring both balances in the Water Enterprise Account at Town Meeting and that repair expenses could be paid out of the accounts. Selectman McCarter stated he would like to know what, if anything, will be seeking use of free cash at the Special Town Meeting and that he wants to be sure before transferring either of the account balances to the Enterprise Account. Chairwoman Royle stated she feels the Enterprise Account should not begin with last year's excess revenues and that those funds should go into the General Fund. Motion: To transfer $263,209 from the Water Capital Account to the Water Enterprise Capital Account at Special Town Meeting. (Robinson — McCarter) All in favor. Passes. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Clerk's Signature Date of Approval