HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Improvements 02/08/2001Capital Improvements Committee
Minutes of February 8, 2001
Present: Roger Achille, Chair, Bernie Dolan, Vice Chair; David McCarter and Brad Wills,
Board of Selectmen; Ken Gay, Municipal Building Committee; Frank DelVecchio, Finance
Committee, Michael Trowbridge, School Committee. Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and
Development; John D'Agostino, Town Manager
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Wastewater Department Presentation — Lee Azinheira and David Young
The committee discussed a Comprehensive Wastewater Plan, to be funded by a state
revolving loan fund. Mr. Azinheira presented a brief history of the wastewater treatment
plant, explaining it serves Mansfield, Foxboro, and Norton. DEP has encouraged the
town to apply for $400,000 SRF funding to conduct a Wastewater Management Plan.
The money will have to be raised and appropriated, then the town will be reimbursed.
Mr. Dolan and Mr. McCarter questioned why the study should be done if DEP won't let
the town expand the wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Young explained other options
exist, with different points of discharge and equipment upgrade. The town has been
prohibited from increasing the discharge from the plant into the stream in Norton.
Mr. D'Agostino said the study is required at 80 percent capacity of the plant, allowing the
town to plan for expansion in a logical manner.
The committee discussed funding sources, including short-term borrowing, with the bills
then submitted to the state for reimbursement and a rate increase to cover the costs.
Mr. DelVecchio asked the length of the study; Mr. Young said it would be approximately
five years.
3. Water Department Presentation — Lee Azinheira, Kurt Gaffney, Woodard and
Curran representatives
The committee discussed the water quality problems caused by iron and manganese and
the need for a new treatment plant; approximately 40 percent of the water meets required
standards. By placing the proposed treatment plant near the highest producing wells,
Prescott and Dustin, the clean water is brought up to 70 percent. The plant will use green
sand filtration, which absorbs the manganese.
The plant and piping will cost approximately $6.2 million, and would include office and
storage space. The facility itself will cost $4.8 million, with $800,000 for office and
storage space. The balance of the cost involves piping the water from Dustin Wells.
SRF funds can be used, but it is a very competitive grant process; applicants with
"health" issues have priority over those with "quality" issues. There is a greater
likelihood of getting a standard loan at 6 percent than an SRF loan at 0-2 percent.
Mr. DelVecchio asked about additional operating costs; Mr. Gaffney explained the power
to run the plant would be $15,000-$20,000 per year. Mr. DelVecchio asked if that
additional cost had been calculated into the rate increase projection.
4. Correspondence
Minutes of January 30, 2001
Motion: To approve as submitted (Wills, Dolan) All in favor. PASSES
5. Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn at 8:30 p.m. (Dolan -Gay) All in favor. PASSES
Date of next meeting: February 15, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Room 3/A
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Signature of Vice Chair Date of Ap roval
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