Michelle Fieldstad-Booth

The meeting agenda included a review of old business and the preparation for the FY2027 budget. Old business focused on reviewing a quote from Stiles for a new tablet meter reader, requiring confirmation of compatibility with the Vadar system before approval of a Beacon Badger updated meter reader. Budget preparation involved reviewing FY2027 requests for the Sewer and Water Departments, including wage requests, and discussing potential increases to Base Fees and water/sewer usage charges. The team also discussed implementing a temporary lockdown on discretionary expenses due to pressure from the Basket Street Project. Action items included soliciting quotes from waste removal vendors and running reports to investigate a suspected duplicate payment of $12,825 in water improvement cost centers.

Key discussions included an update on the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, focusing on the necessary plumbing modifications (requiring conversion to accommodate new eyewash stations and potentially installing a hot water heater or opting for cold water only). The Water and Sewer department reviewed progress on the 51 Basket Street Land Fill Project, noting pipeline repairs, pending pressure and bacteriological testing, and planning for a Special Town Meeting to address cash flow concerns related to the invoice payment. Other topics involved obtaining quotes for Walking Bridge Vandalism repairs, reviewing Sewer & Water Fund Balances for Fiscal Year 2025 Activity, initiating the process for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget (including proposed increases to Base Fees and usage charges), discussions regarding switching town software to Vadar, and reviewing the Gateway OIT Apprentice Program. The board also reviewed proposals for New England Bioassay and approved the purchase of a Beacon Badger meter reader, compatible with the planned Vadar system. A temporary lockdown on discretionary expenses was also implemented due to cash flow pressure from the Basket Street Project.

Key discussions included a postponed review of the January 13th meeting minutes and review of received mail, which required no action. Regarding finances, a $750 budget submission was reported. New business involved the MACC Annual Conference, with one commissioner planning to attend and apply for a scholarship. The Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for the Rapids Restaurant was rescinded following a MassDEP ruling on their septic system improvement. The commission noted that a proposal for a carport by the salt shed on Mill Street had cleared state endangered species review, and the matter was continued. Finally, a request regarding flood plain determination for a business proposal at 5 Main Street was determined not to be jurisdictional, and the Eduard Nudniy Notice of Intent (NOI) was continued due to incompleteness.

Key discussions focused on several tabled old business items. The Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan remains tabled, with ongoing issues related to the installation of new eyewash stations due to plumbing configuration requiring a licensed plumber and the need to obtain quotes for installation, including options with and without a hot water heater. The 51 Basket Street Land Fill Project, which involves temporary water line installation for 11 residences, was discussed; updates noted contract signing with DEP, existing leaks being fixed, and pending pressure/bacteriological testing before tie-in. The Select Board approved moving forward with the project regardless of grant status, and upcoming votes were scheduled. The Walking Bridge Vandalism repairs were temporarily paused due to staffing and weather, though an assessment determined approximately 25 boards needed replacement, leading to a determination to self-perform repairs due to budget constraints. Other items included reviewing Sewer Department By-laws, reviewing FY2025 fund balances, considering a software change to Vadar (with a tentative switch date of May 2026), updates on the Gateway OIT Apprentice Program (noting budget constraints for hiring a grant writer), an unresolved system leak, reviewing a quote for a new tablet meter reader (with approval contingent on Vadar compatibility), beginning the solicitation for Wastewater Sewage Plant Removal Bidding, investigating a discrepancy transaction involving a duplicate payment, implementing new Water & Sewer department forms (including a motion to charge for MLC/Final reads), concerns regarding inbound revenue reserve allocation, and reviewing the FY2027 Rate Increase customer notice. New business included a discussion regarding a plumber's bill for 18 Upper Russell Road.

The meeting agenda covered a wide range of operational and administrative updates. Key discussion items included the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, the ongoing water line installation project at 51 Basket Street, and repairs related to vandalism at the walking bridge. The board addressed fiscal matters, including the review of FY2025 fund balances, revenue allocation inquiries, and FY2027 rate increase notices. Operational updates involved the transition to new Vadar software, the status of the Gateway OIT apprentice program, system leak detection, procurement of a new tablet meter reader, and the bidding process for wastewater plant removal services. Additionally, the board reviewed transaction discrepancies, discussed the creation of new department forms, and approved a reimbursement for a property owner regarding a plumbing issue.