BRUNSWICK SEWER DISTRICT

 

Board of Trustees Regular Monthly Meeting

Approved Minutes

14 September 2009

 

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Call to Order

       The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Brunswick Sewer District was called to order by Chair Priest at 6:34 p.m. on Monday, 14 September 2009, in the conference room at District offices. A prepared agenda was noted and the meeting was recorded.

        Members present: Chair Priest, Trustees Boochever, Green, Schwindt,  and Barbour.

        Others present: :  Assistant General Manager Blanchette; Finance Manager Nuttelman; General Manager McVey; camera operator Hedy Blauvelt.

Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

            The Trustees reviewed minutes of the 20 August 2009 regular Board meeting.

            IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BARBOUR, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT, WITH TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER ABSTAINING,  TO ACCEPT AS AMENDED MINUTES OF THE 20 AUGUST 2009 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Public Comment:  None was noted.

Treasurer’s Report

            Financial:  Board Treasurer Green reported that he has examined unaudited financial statements at 31 August 2009, prepared by District staff. A copy of the Variance Analysis was adopted by reference and is to be included in minutes of the meeting. Trustee Green also reviewed financial amounts net of contribution of developer-constructed facilities.
            The Trustees reviewed revenues and expenditures, particularly in reference to Navy revenue, and discussed receivables aging, budget management, and liens maturing. Capital budget implementation was also discussed, as well as interest rates being earned on District investments. Collection efforts were reported to be current in all respects.

           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 instruments, and all vendors receiving payment were identified. Disbursements unusual in amount or purpose were discussed. Weekly warrants for general disbursements have been signed by the General Manager or the Treasurer.

            Commitments:  IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BARBOUR, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT, WITH THE TREASURER ABSTAINING, TO COMMIT TO THE TREASURER FOR COLLECTION RATES FOR THE PERIOD 01 OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH 31 DECEMBER 2009, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF THE DISTRICT CHARTER, BY-LAWS, RULES & REGULATIONS, AND SCHEDULE OF RATES, AS COMPUTED AND SET FORTH IN THE ACCOUNTS ON FILE AT THE OFFICES OF THE BRUNSWICK SEWER DISTRICT.

5-Year Capital Improvement Plan Draft

            The Assistant General Manager provided copies of a draft update to the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The report considers facilities, equipment, and programs being considered in years 2010 through 2014, and includes a listing of additional items likely to be considered in years following 2014. He noted that the report should be viewed as a draft of a plan, to be consulted in preparing future budgets when future resources are better known.  The report is not meant to imply that all of the items will be acquired or implemented at the times currently listed. Information contained in the report will be used in development of the 5-Year Comprehensive Financial Projection, which is now being prepared.

External Investments Manager

            The Trustees reviewed a list of observations and questions related to the District investment policy and program. Material contained in the list was developed by representatives of Maine Bank & Trust during the annual report to the Board by the external investments managers, presented at the August Board meeting. The Assistant General Manager noted that the list will form the basis of discussion at a workshop on the topic to be held on 30 September 2009. The workshop is being held to explore opportunities for additional areas of emphasis for investment of District funds.           

Lien - Acquired Property:  9 Garrison Street         

            The Trustees heard a report by the Assistant General Manager on the status of a delinquent account for service to a residence at 9 Garrison Street. A District lien on the property has matured and as a consequence the District has a claim to title to the property. In accordance with District policy, notice was provided to a mortgage company with interest in the property with a demand for payment of all amounts due. Full payment has now been received and it is the responsibility of the District to issue a quitclaim deed waiving any title right to the property that the District may have. A quitclaim deed has been prepared by attorneys for the District.
             Following brief discussion,

            IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BARBOUR, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE BOOCHEVER, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIR TO EXECUTE ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT A RELEASE OF ANY CLAIM TO TITLE THAT THE DISTRICT MAY HAVE IN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 9 GARRISON STREET, OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED AS MAP NUMBER U-02, PARCEL 37, OF THE ASSESSORS’ TAX MAPS FOR THE TOWN OF BRUNSWICK, MAINE, BY A QUITCLAIM RELEASE DEED TO THE FORMER PROPERTY OWNERS.

Monthly Report of Operations

            Total flow to the Treatment Plant for August 2009 was 92.242 mg, down approximately 19% from the previous month. Flows of 10.9 and 7.5 mg for the month originated with Topsham and the Navy Base, respectively. Average daily flow for the period was 2.98 mgd, 77% of that allowed by permit. Maximum daily flow processed was 3.56 mg, which occurred on 01 August 2009. Rainfall for the month totaled 4.8 inches, with a daily maximum of 1.9 inches on 23 August 2009.
            Septage receiving for the period totaled 200,250 gallons, down 8% from the previous month. Removal rates for BOD and TSS for the period were 93.6% and 91.8%, respectively, in compliance with the minimum 85% required for each parameter by permit. A total of 220 cy of sludge was produced and trucked for future land application. There were no bypasses or spills, all flow to the plant received full treatment, and all permit requirements were met.

General Manager's Report

            Staff Accountant: The Finance Manager reported significant progress with the recently-hired staff Accountant assuming responsibilities of the position.

            The Assistant General Manager reported that agreement has been reached with representatives of the U. S. Navy on language to extend the contract for wastewater disposal service to the Navy’s Capehart military housing facility located off McKeen Street. Contract documents have been signed by District staff and submitted for signature by Navy officials.

            At the request of District staff, the Maine Bureau of Labor has conducted a safety inspection of District facilities. No willful or immediate infractions were noted during the inspection. A report on items that warrant attention will be forthcoming shortly.

            The Assistant General Manager reported that, pursuant to Board authorization, the agreement for District membership in the Maine Water & Wastewater Agency Response Network has been signed and submitted. The agreement details a framework within which mutual aid can be provided in an emergency situation to and by member organizations.           

           Sludge Utilization Planning: One spreading event has been held at the Egypt Field site in Bowdoinham, despite continuing poor weather and the need to act on very short notice. A total of approximately 500 cy of material was utilized. District staff will attempt to conduct a second and final event for this year during the first two weeks of October, if favorable weather allows. Sludge generated from mid-October through November will be trucked for commercial composting. The continuing unfavorable weather conditions have resulted in substantial additional cost of the program.

Schedule of Upcoming Meetings, Events, etc.

  Trustees Workshop Wednesday 30 September 2009 6:30 p.m.    
  Trustees Regular Tuesday 13 October 2009 6:30 p.m.    
  Trustees Regular Monday 16 November 2009 6:30 p.m.    
  Annual Budget Monday 30 November 2009 6:30 p.m    
  Trustees Regular Monday 14 December 2009 6:30 p.m.    

Remarks from the Chair:

            Chair Priest thanked the Trustees for their assistance.

Adjournment

             There being no further business before the Board,

             IT WAS MOVED BY TRUSTEE BARBOUR, SECONDED BY TRUSTEE GREEN, AND UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY THE TRUSTEES PRESENT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:38 P.M.

 

Attest,

         Peter F. Schwindt
         Trustee Clerk, Board of Trustees
 

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