MINUTES
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., W. Whaland Clark, Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Medford Capel, Utilities Commission Manager, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Kirby moved that the minutes be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Utilities Commission has cash on hand and in banks on January 18, 2000 of $373,932.87.

Mayor Bailey called on Mr. Capel for his report. Mr. Capel said they have had few problems from cold weather so far. He said there were a couple of water main breaks, a 4" main and a 6" main and they have been repaired. He said there was a problem at Heron Point when they cut the wire to the lift station. He said he had the "honey dipper" there and they stayed there all night to keep the sewer line pumped out until the repair to the electric line could be made. He said Heron Point would pay for all the work and there are no other problems.

Mayor Bailey said Mr. Gruber had asked to address the Council. Mr. Gruber said he had written a formal letter in response to tests that he asked be done on the water. He read his letter into the record, which recommended that the Town cover the existing reservoir and build a second covered reservoir. This redundancy would allow water to settle more and be clearer.

Mayor Bailey asked Mr. Capel if he had any reply to Mr. Gruber's statements. Mr. Capel said he wanted to think them over before he made any reply. Mayor Bailey said the reservoir was something that the Council has discussed. She said one of the main issues was finding the money as this would be very expensive. She asked Mr. Ingersoll what the cost of that would be. Mr. Ingersoll said it would be $1.2 million and there was no grant money available for it. He said there was money available for sewer projects but not water. He said there were low interest loans. Mr. Bristoll said this was part of the long range correction plan and everyone was well aware of the need for a second reservoir and they were waiting for funds. He said they have taken several steps toward the completion of the long range plan.

Mr. Gruber said he was confident that Mr. Capel would be able to shop and find ways to cut the costs. Mr. Ingersoll agreed that the plans were done and there were probably some things that could be split out and bid out the second well separately, etc. He said Mr. Capel was looking for innovative coverings. Mayor Bailey thanked Mr. Gruber for his report.

Mayor Bailey asked if there was anything further. Mr. Ingersoll said the BOD report from last year. He said the State was going to fine us $5,000 for the two different occasions which he did not think would occur again. He said MDE would impose a consent order which was a period of time that we would have to correct the problem and during that time we are immune from any further fines. He said with the permission of the Council he would respond to MDE saying we intend to comply and give them an idea of a time table. He said we can utilize the half a million grant we have for BNR reduction for some of the steps for correcting it. Mayor Bailey said there are many other towns that have the same problems because of the weather. Mr. Ingersoll said MDE does not honor that because they say the first time it happens it is an act of nature, but the second time you should be aware that an act of nature could occur. He said Mr. Capel does not know how to stop it except to do add-ons or do spray irrigation. He said the time to talk about spray irrigation would be during a drought. He said at other times no one would want to talk about recycling the water but those are things that could cure the problem and help the bay.

Mayor Bailey asked for a motion to authorize a letter to MDE. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the Town Manager be authorized to write the letter to MDE as discussed, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey said since there were no further comments, she would take a motion to pay the bills. Mr. Bristoll moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Clark and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the motion be adjourned at 7:40 p.m., was seconded by Mr.

Kirby and carried unanimously.