December 2023 minutes
All minutes are in draft form
December 5, 2023
6:00 p.m.
United Church of Underhill
TRUSTEES PRESENT OPERATORS PRESENT WEB MANAGER
Joe O’Brien
Steve Jennings CLERK ASST. OPERATOR
Tanner Palmer Nancy Benson
1. Call to Order and Welcome. Joe O’Brien called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. The Agenda was adopted as presented.
2. Review and approval of minutes of previous meeting(s). Minutes from the November meeting were approved.
3. Review and approval of financial statements. The financial reports for November were approved. Tanner asked what our rate of interest is.
4. Customer Comments. Joe talked with the owner about the complaint of green water. He told them to run it longer and did not hear back.
Joe spoke with Mr. Dumas regarding the two new hydrants that do not have flags on them – the one by his house and the one on Meadow Lane. Joe will check with Brian on getting flags.
The owner of the former Gert’s property called to have the water turned back on.
Andy called Joe from the Fire Department and said the toilets wouldn’t shut off and asked if we had increased the pressure on the tanks. Joe told him no and didn’t hear back.
5. Operations Report.
Test Results and Testing.
Bacteria results negative.
Fluoride results within tolerance.
Routine testing and operations by SOS.
No one heard back on the low battery MR tank issues. Same with the Logic Controller.
6. Old Business.
A. Nothing new on the Mill Development. They are sheet rocking the shed. Cement blocks were put up to stop traffic from driving on the two lanes.
B. Nothing new on United Church. Steve said there is a sign up.
C. Waiting on Simon’s bid for the tank cleaning. Joe will find out more.
7. New Business.
A. The hydrant at 385 Vermont Route 15 was hit by a drunk driver. They hit our hydrant and the sign at the bed and breakfast. Marc looked at it and Lance came over as well. There is nothing wrong with the hydrant. It sheered off where it is supposed to. Lance is looking for a repair kit. Joe will have Brian move the broken part to the pumphouse. Tanner said he would help if necessary. Joe said the incident was reported to the police. It was a dark Subaru that is missing the mirror, half a bumper and the headlight. If we can find the person, we will go after their insurance.
B. For the capital planning, work needs to be done on some of the hydrants. The one on Raceway has sunk down because of the build up of Route 15. Tanner asked if it could be extended. Joe will have someone look at it. The one by Sinclair also needs to be looked at.
Some of the hydrants are becoming obsolete. You can’t get parts for them or fix them. How long would it take to replace? Joe will inquire with SOS about an estimate on cost. The ones with the red hats have no self draining.
The cleaning of the tanks inside is a priority. Steve will try to power wash them after the inside is done to get rid of the mildew that has formed on the outside.
Regarding the upgrade/replacement of the generator at the booster station, it was determined that it was not worth it. It would cost about $100,000.00. We do have a variance.
Regarding curb stop replacements, Joe has not heard of any broken or failing. Will test or wait until they break. We have ECI on a call list as well as the excavator in Cambridge.
The sub main lines from Poker Hill to 15 to Park are not leaking as far as Joe knows. Palmer Lane needs the plastic replaced?
Regarding the decommission of the pumphouse and land, it is all swamp. We have no other storage space.
The fence by the pumphouse is owned by the Guays to keep the sheep out.
It was decided we would start with the hydrants and tank cleaning.
C. Helen Miller has been doing the testing for 30 years and is ready to retire from it. She will be done at the end of December. The water is tested every day from the tap and she gives the information to Brian. Joe will check to see if it is an every day requirement. Brian may be able to do it when he does the regular testing. If not, Joe will put something in Front Porch Forum to start.
8. Next Regular Meeting. Next regular meeting January 2, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
9. Review and Approve Bills. Bills were reviewed and approved.
Adjournment. The regular meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Benson, Clerk/Treasurer
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Joe O’Brien, President