HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 07/28/2011IMA Study Group Meeting
Mansfield — Foxborough- Norton
July 28, 2011 6:OOPM
(At Mansfield Town Hall)
Members:
Mansfield: Lee Azinheira
George Dentino
Foxborough: Leo Potter
Norton Duane Knapp
Diane McElligott
Also in Attendance: Bill Ross, Mansfield Town Manager
David Young, CDM
Fran Yanuskiewicz, WSE
Steven Wiseman, Norton W &S
Jay Barrows, State Representative
Bob Bell, AECOM
Richard Pacella, Foxborough W &S
Discussions:
The following is a brief summary of discussions:
Jay Barrows began the meeting by indicating that the two representatives from
each community will be given preference in the discussions at these meetings and that
other attendees while welcome should really speak through their appointed
representative. That way positions from the community are put forth versus individual
opinions.
1. Effluent Recharge Sites
• Nothing new to report since Mansfield provided comments on land purchase
agreement to Reilly's attorney. Bill Ross will follow up on this item.
2. Draft Expansion Project Implementation Schedule
• David Young distributed an implementation schedule for review and discussion.
Schedule calls for District to begin in July 2012; expansion and upgrade design to
start in January 2013; construction start in December 2014; and facility operation
to begin in May 2017. Several other interim dates are noted (schedule attached). r-1
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General agreement with schedule presented and so CDM will prepare a draft cash
flow around that schedule for discussion at next meeting.
There was some discussion about when the Norton PILOT might begin based on
this schedule but no resolution.
3. Discussion of Norton PILOT Proposal to be incorporated into Draft of
Regional District Agreement (3- 23 -11)
• Main topic of discussion was proposed Norton Payment in Lieu of Taxes
(PILOT). Below is a summary of the discussion items brought forth:
• Jay Barrows noted that all sides are very close to an agreement and we
need to resolve this one issue. Appears to be conceptual support for
PILOT but at a reasonable price. He believes Foxborough and Mansfield
are willing to accept a PILOT of $200,000 gross payment to Norton at a
fair index.
• Diane McElligott indicated that Norton had to have a $200,000 net
payment in order to make this program work for them and she would like
to see a 5 percent increase annually plus CPI applied.
• George Dentino and others discussed there needs to be an understanding
of "value" and how the PILOT amount is determined. Norton
representatives indicated others can argue how the amount is calculated as
long as they receive $200,000 gross payment initially and then
appropriately indexed.
• David Young suggested moving the PILOT payment start date up to be the
year the construction starts for the infiltration basins (2014) instead of
waiting till the construction is fully completed. That would provide a
couple additional years of payment. Several liked the idea and some
offered other potential upfront payment methods but no resolution.
• Mansfield had presented an alternate PILOT calculation at the July P
meeting which resulted in a $91,000 PILOT proposal. Norton
representatives had indicated no other proposals had been received to their
but did not accept this methodology or the compromise to $200,000 which
is really a $300,000 gross payment.
• Bill Ross noted that the current request from Norton for a $200,000 net
PILOT with a 5 percent annual increase plus CPI increase applied would
result in a payment of over $900,000 in a fairly short period. Mansfield
would not support.
• David Young noted each community needs to evaluate the increase in
their overall annual payments to implement their portion of the wastewater
expansion program. Foxborough and Norton have significant
infrastructure costs to add onto the treatment plant costs. The difference
being argued about now in this PILOT is minimal compared to those
costs. All have previously agreed the District approach is the cheapest
means to providing wastewater treatment capacity in each community.
• Lee Azinheira noted all three communities have come very far in pulling
this agreement together and the difference in costs should be evaluated
carefully versus the next best option for each community. He also pointed
out that the treatment plant Phase 2 upgrade and the conversion to the
Bardenpho process for nitrogen removal are givens. Thus the difference in N
costs is even less.
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o Jay Barrows suggested each community explore options for indexing the
$200,000 gross payment for the next meeting.
4. Schedule to Complete Agreement
• Must resolve Norton PILOT first.
David Young indicated that past meeting minutes are being worked on. Minutes
from last three meetings have been distributed.
David Young will also prepare a draft cash flow around schedule discussed for
the next meeting.
Future Meetings:
August 22nd at 6 pm. (Mansfield Town Hall) (subsequently postponed till August
24th)
Adjourn 7:30 pm
Minutes Approved 11 -21 -11
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