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BRUNSWICK SEWER DISTRICTBoard of Trustees Regular Monthly MeetingApproved Minutes 12 January 2009Click here to return to the Board of Trustees page. Click here to return to the main page.
Call to Order The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Brunswick Sewer District was called to order by Chairperson Priest at 6:37 p.m. on Monday, 12 January 2009, in the conference room at District offices. A prepared agenda was noted and the meeting was recorded. Members present: Chairperson Priest, Trustees Boochever, Green, and Schwindt. Others present: General Manager McVey, Assistant General Manager Blanchette, Finance Manager Nuttelman; camera operator Hedy Blauvelt. Minutes of Previous Meeting(s) The Trustees reviewed minutes of the 15 December 2008 regular Board meeting. IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO ACCEPT AS AMENDED MINUTES OF THE 15 DECEMBER 2008 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Public Comment: There was none noted. Treasurer’s Report
Financial: The
General Manager reported that preparation by District staff of unaudited
financial statements at 31 December 2008 is incomplete at this time. Work on the
statements continues and the reports will be distributed at earliest
opportunity. The General Manager and the Finance Manager reported that, in their
opinion, the business of the District continues in normal fashion.
Disbursements:
The
Trustees reviewed weekly reports on disbursements for the preceding month.
Payroll and payables disbursements were noted to have been issued on
consecutively numbered checks, and all vendors receiving payment were
identified. Weekly warrants for general disbursements have been signed by the
General Manager. General Manager's Report Geographic Information System Survey: Collection & Pumping Division staff has completed a survey of wastewater collection systems serving BSD, the Topsham Sewer District, Naval Air Station Brunswick, and Capehart military housing off McKeen Street. The survey provides highly accurate geographic information digitally in the latest technological form and will allow improved access to and use of the information in system planning and operation. Staff Meeting: A meeting was held with full staff in December to review wage changes and holidays in 2009 and provisions of District policies on hours of work, severe weather emergencies, early closure, information systems, and facilities use. Storm Damage Cost Recovery: The Assistant General Manager is working with the Town of Brunswick Fire Chief regarding the possibility of compensation for costs incurred by the District in responding to the several storms during December 2008. District storm-related costs during the period total approximately $17,000. 2009 Operations Budget Copies of the 2009 operations budget as adopted at the December regular Board meeting were provided. Petition for Relief from Sewer Use Billing: Favreau, 206 Maine Street In a letter dated 18 December 2008, Gary C. Favreau, owner of an apartment building located at 206 Maine Street, has requested relief from sewer use billing. Water use in the third and fourth quarter of 2008 for the account was 22,000 cf and 27,000 cf, respectively, as compared with account average use of 3,000 to 5,000 cf per quarter over the last nine years. The letter states that the excessive use was the result of vandalism by tenants of the building. The tenants have since been evicted, and the apartment is now empty pending repairs to the water damage. The letter does not make clear whether the excess water used was returned to the sewer. The General Manager recommended that the Board take action to deny the petition until such time as additional information is presented indicating that adjustment may be warranted. IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO DENY THE REQUEST OF GARY C. FAVREAU FOR RELIEF FROM BILLING FOR PROPERTY AT 206 MAINE STREET, PROVIDED THAT THE PETITION MAY BE RECONSIDERED LATER IN LIGHT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Monthly Report of Operations Total flow to the Treatment Plant for December 2008 was 102.54 mg, up approximately 18% from the previous month. Flows of 14.9 and 10.7 mg for the month originated with Topsham and the Navy Base, respectively. Average daily flow for the period was 3.31 mgd, 86% of that allowed by permit. Maximum daily flow processed was 4.05 mg, which occurred on 13 December 2008. Rainfall for the month totaled 1.9 inches, with a daily maximum of 0.4 inches on 10 December 2008. Septage receiving for the period totaled 82,750 gallons, down 52% from the previous month. Removal rates for BOD and TSS for the period were 90.6% and 87.5%, respectively, in compliance with the minimum 85% required for each parameter by permit. A total of 186 cy of sludge was produced and trucked for commercial composting. There were no bypasses or spills of plant flow. All flow received at the plant received full treatment, and all permit requirements were met. Acceptance of Constructed Wastewater Facilities: Wildwood Subdivision The Trustees considered the question of acceptance of constructed wastewater facilities serving the Wildwood Subdivision off Gurnet Road. Lines were constructed by developer Harry C. Crooker & Sons, Inc., who has requested District acceptance in a letter dated 12 November 2008. The request covers approximately 9,545 lf of 8-inch diameter sanitary sewers and 52 associated maintenance holes. Streets served include Wildwood, Basswood, Aspen, Poplar, Hickory, Mountain Ash, Black Cherry, and Balsam. The Assistant General Manager reported that sewers were designed and constructed to District standards, that the work was inspected at time of construction by District personnel, and that recent inspection of the facilities by the District found the lines and maintenance holes to be all in order. The Trustees discussed the request. During an extensive period of operation by the District, no difficulties have been encountered with the facilities. District Rules & Regulations cite the District as the appropriate entity to own and operate facilities located in the public way. At the conclusion of Trustee discussion, the General Manager recommended that the Board consider the following resolution: Facilities Acceptance Resolution Wildwood Subdivision, Brunswick, Maine 12 January 2009
IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION. Federal Economic Stimulus Funding The Trustees heard a report on preparation by the District toward possible
participation in a federal government program intended to stimulate
economic improvement by making funds available for public works projects.
Disbursement of federal funds will be administered by the Maine Department
of Environmental Protection in the form of no-interest loans, with the
possibility of some principal forgiveness.
Entrance Charge Program Review Trustees Boochever and Green have been assigned to a group tasked with review for possible revision of the Entrance Charge Program. The group includes the General Manager and Assistant General Manager. The initial meeting of the group will take place later this month, when group members will consider the program in its current form. Copies of the current program were distributed. Appointment of Legal Counsel The Trustees considered their annual action to appoint counsel to serve the legal needs of the District. Counsel in recent years has been provided by John Moncure of Moncure & Barnicle, with assistance from Richard L. Hornbeck, also with the firm. The General Manager recommended retaining current counsel. IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE SCHWINDT, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO APPOINT THE FIRM OF MONCURE & BARNICLE AS LEGAL COUNSEL TO THE DISTRICT FOR 2009, PROVIDED THAT THE GENERAL MANAGER MAY REFER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ELSEWHERE AS HE DEEMS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT. Appointment of General Manager 2009 It was consensus of the Trustees that action to appoint be taken up following executive session at the end of the meeting. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings, Events, etc.
Remarks from the Chair:
Chair Priest thanked the Trustees for their assistance. On the suggestion of the General Manager and with the concurrence of the Chair, IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:26 P.M. TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER UNDER M.R.S.A. TITLE 1, CHAPTER 13.1.405.6.A AND A LEGAL MATTER UNDER M.R.S.A. TITLE 1, CHAPTER 13.1.405.6.E. The meeting returned from executive session at 10:00 p.m. No action was taken during the executive session. Appointment of General Manager: 2009 After brief discussion, IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO APPOINT THE CURRENT GENERAL MANAGER TO THE POSITION IN 2009 AT HIS CURRENT SALARY PLUS 3.75%. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 10:02P.M. Attest, Peter F. Schwindt Click here to return to top of document. Click here to return to the Board of Trustees page. Click here to return to the main page.
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