Wastewater Implementation Committee Meeting

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Meeting Minutes

For

Town of Harwich

Wastewater Implementation Committee (WIC)

March 18, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

Attendees:

WIC Members: Peter de Bakker, Chris Harlow, Allin Thompson, and Heinz Proft.

Others: Larry Ballantine, Chris Clark, Noreen Donahue

CDM Smith: David Young

Introduction:

The Harwich WIC held a meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at the Harwich town offices to review and discuss implementation issues related to the CWMP. This meeting was intended to focus mainly on the cost recovery model discussion in hopes of finalizing a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.

 

A summary of items discussed is provided below in order of the agenda.

Summary of Discussion Items:

  1. Discuss and approve WIC Minutes from 2-18-15 and 3-6-15.

Both sets of minutes were approved unanimously (4-0) without edits.

  1. Review CDM Smith invoice

David Young provided a brief overview of recent work included in the invoice for $3,635.35. He confirmed that CDM Smith ended up paying for the printing costs associated with producing the wastewater brochure that went out in the Water Dept bills.

  1. Discuss and vote on Cost Recovery recommendation for submission to the BOS.

Based on the WIC meeting of 3-6-15, a revised draft of the Recommended Cost Recovery Memo from the WIC to the BOS was reviewed.  This memo summarized feasible means to pay for the wastewater program and recommended “To recovery wastewater related program costs from 75% Tax Rate, implement Infrastructure Investment Fund at about 1.5% (reducing CPC by equivalent amount; not net increase) and remainder collected from water use fees”.

Chris Clark expressed concern for the initial years when few system users would be connected and who would pay for the system O&M costs. David Young noted that the impact on water rates still needed to be calculated and that assistance from the town was required to perform that accurately. Allin Thompson noted that the water department is looking to increase water rates now to help pay for their capital programs.

Noreen Donahue expressed the need to have legal counsel review the proposed plan. Her specific concerns were twofold. First, how would the wastewater program collect fees from the water use rate and would a separate or combined enterprise account be used. Second, what is required to lower the current CPC fund and create the new Water Infrastructure Surcharge Fee. All agreed that the next version should be sent to counsel for review.

Chris Clark clarified that his recommendation at this time would be to create a separate wastewater enterprise fund to help pay for capital and O&M costs for implementing the wastewater program. A combined enterprise account would not be used.

Larry Ballantine and Noreen Donahue requested that a summary strategy that the WIC used in creating this policy be added to the memo.

The WIC agreed with the proposed additions and clarifications and requested that David Young make those changes, continue to work on revised costs and then send to John Giorgio for counsel review and comment.

  1. Formulate and begin to implement an Outreach Plan

The “Become Involved” brochure going out in the water department billing is likely to trigger some interest among residents. Peter de Bakker spoke at the recent BOS meeting about this brochure. Updated information needs to be posted on the new WIC website and frequently asked questions need to be distributed should calls come into town hall staff. Also need to start planning for future brochures and other communication means. Next community meeting would likely be once the Final CWMP/EIR is filed in late summer. BOS is likely to have public hearing on the cost recovery policy.

  1. Discussion of WIC Website

Still an ongoing process. Peter de Bakker urged the town to help provide more support for this site versus a volunteer committee.

  1. Review Spring Annual Town Meeting Wastewater Articles

Meeting on March 25th with Finance Committee to review four articles. All articles currently proposed to be paid for via the tax rate.

Noreen Donahue expressed concern that there has been little review or debate regarding the proposed charter changes and special legislation regarding the town wastewater structure. Larry Ballantine indicated he was waiting for an updated version from town counsel and would circulate it. He also thought the town may wait till a fall town meeting to address this issue.

  1. New/Old/ Other Business

 

  1. Future Meeting:

Thursday, April 9th at 9:30 a.m. (revised to 9:00 a.m.)

Adjourn 11:50 a.m.

The above minutes have been completed from notes taken by CDM Smith.  

Distribution: Attendees, WIC Members and Chris Clark

Approved:

Date:         ____________________

 

 

__________________________                               

Peter de Bakker, Chair