September 15, 2008
Present was Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan, and Robert J. Garrity. John P. Hathaway, Town Administrator was not present.
Ramesh Advani called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Marian Harrington read the agenda contents.
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING COMMITTEE
Present was Fire Chief Cole Bushnell; Bob Bullock, Building Commissioner; John Wayne and George Cronin, residents.
Ramesh discussed the formation of the Public Safety Building Committee. He wanted to open it up for discussion, and Jim will be the representative from the Board of Selectmen. Jim said that George Cronin was interested, and has a lot of experience. He also said that John Wayne is interested and served on our former PBC. Jim said we are looking for other members as well. It will be a time consuming project, probably meeting weekly, and years of commitment. Jim asked residents to email their desire to be on this committee to the office.
Ramesh said this committee consists of 10 members, 9 voting. The Building Commissioner is ex-officio. There are five (5) members, a Selectman, Town Administrator, Fire Chief, and Police Chief.
Rob Garrity moved to appoint George Cronin; John Wayne; Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator; Cole Bushnell, Fire Chief; Charles Stone, Police Chief; Bob Bullock, Building Commissioner; and Jim Lehan, Selectman to an indefinite term on the Public Safety Building Committee. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to appoint Building Commissioner Bob Bullock as an ex-officio member. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
ACTION ITEMS
Jim Lehan moved to approve the annual Rodman Ride for Kids to be held on Saturday, September 27th. The route is Pine Street only, and we have Chief Stone's approval. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
BIWEEKLY CALENDAR
Ramesh read the calendar.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Rob Garrity moved to close the warrant for the fall town meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
NEW BUSINESS
Rob mentioned the Energy Committee. It can be done by the Selectmen without town meeting. We need seven people to meet and research. Residents and citizens and our Building Commissioner. We will post this committee for volunteers to contact us.
Jim wants to follow up with the revenue source list. Jim will do it for our next meeting, and come back with some recommendations.
Jim hopes the meeting with all the boards doesn't get away from us. October 1st is the meeting for chairs of all boards.
Jim wants to discuss water rates/penalties.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Jim Lehan moved to accept the minutes of August 25, 2008, and September 8, 2008. Jim then withdrew his motion. No one seconded, and Rob wanted to be able to review minutes before approving them.
At 8:23 p.m., Jim Lehan moved to go into executive session to discuss- pending litigation. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Rob Garrity, aye; Jim Lehan, aye; and Ramesh Advani, aye.
The Board will return to open session.
The Board returned to open session at 9:00 p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - WATER PIPE ISSUES
Remo Vito, DPW Director present.
Ramesh mentioned the water issue and that it's on Norfolk Net. These issues could be significant.
Ramesh explained the history of the Water Department/DPW to the listening audience.
Ramesh asked Butch to explain the water programs and what's in place now.
Butch went back in history and wanted to elaborate on what Ramesh said.
Butch said the real management of the Water Department happened in 2005. Copper tubing corrodes from electrolysis. Older homes are grounded to copper. Possibilities of corrosion could be electrolysis or even shoddy workmanship. These 52 are residents only. Parts of the town still have copper, steel and lead. They used the consultants to find what the problem was. When he defines history, he is going back to 2001. Jim asked if you are hopeful that these tests will show why there was a leak. Butch said yes.
Over the past two years, they have picked up 52 leaks. 17% of the total. They have been in a program to keep corrosion down since early 2000. He also looked at copper pipe, and changed over to PVC. In 1995, codes changed and you can't ground anymore with PVC.
Butch said they do a walk by. They will go onto property if they hear something. Out of 2200 homes, they have found 52 leaks. Ramesh asked Butch to give data on how many homes have steel, copper, etc. 20 years is the best for copper pipe. It's been said it lasts 40, but that's a misnomer. If you are having problems inside, you will also have problems outside only it's amplified because of grounding. If a rock hits a piece of copper and it puts a dent, water going through the dent will wear it out and create a leak. Rob asked who inspects. Butch said the water division employees. They make sure it's 5' deep, bedded in sand and check connections and they do diagrams. Then they sign off inspections on everyone's service.
Butch said they do an aggressive sampling out of the household themselves. They always sample for Ph or copper. If the tests all come out fine, it keeps your water non-corrosive.
Butch said that specs change throughout the years, and he needs to see what is required.
Rob questioned the new system, Skater system that does pH. Butch said it will warn you when the levels are high or low. It's automatic. It went into operation in 2002 when they did the Spruce Well. It's on all the wells. Rob questioned the cost of fixing the connection. Ramesh said $15 to $19 per lineal foot.
Butch said they recommend to residents that they replace the whole line. They also need to do their electrical grounding system. Try to lump in the water permit with the electrical.
Jim would like information on the 80's and 90's. Define any significant patterns to this. Butch said he is looking at the same things that you are asking us, so we don't keep making the same mistake. Jim said this is a major issue here, in the hundreds of homeowners facing an unexpected expense. In these trying times, it's a huge expense. Jim said we have a lot of people here that are affected. We have to think this through. Regardless of fault, we are taking fault out of the discussion. Butch said in other communities, insurance was a factor. Some are covered by homeowners insurance. Butch said you can purchase insurance coverage on your water service.
Jim asked Butch to put together some thoughts on how we can deal with this. Butch said they looked at it as a utility. Jim said do it fair and equally for all residents.
Ramesh would like a set of action items. This cannot be a unique problem to Norfolk. Development and expansion in MA in the 70's was rampant with copper pipes. What are solutions that other communities are offering their residents? It has to be a problem with other communities.
Jerry Coleman, 1 Creek Drive. Drew a map of areas affected. King's Grant Estates, King St., Cape Cod Estates, Stop River. Rob asked Butch if he had GPS and can he do an overlay. Butch will look at it and look at the pattern. Mr. Coleman commented that most of the houses in his development have failed.
Ted Butler, 10 Castle Road. There are at least 3 affected homes in his area. The internal pipes inside the house water main before the shut off have deteriorated. They thinned from the inside out so all they could do is put a patch. He is looking for a repair and to replace the water main all the way to the street. Driveway, landscaping, walk. His house was built in late 89. Ted said he was told to do it now, because the cost will increase in the winter.
Joe Collins, 1 Magnolia Circle. He stated that he had a leak.
Dan Crafton, 99 King Street. He noticed it in the basement like everyone else. Butch's equipment couldn't detect this leak because it was a slow leak. It's above the concrete in the basement.
Ramesh suggested the following for our next discussion. Identify patterns.
If no patterns and multiple issues, still address the problem. Oct, 6th come up with the findings and results and what are proposed actions that can be taken. The Selectmen will review and support or add to those. It is the residents' burden, and it shouldn't be a burden. Look at area communities for similar issues.
Butch said they resubmitted the PWED. The cost went up to $3.1 million due to escalation. The mix alone went up 65%. Steel has gone up. Now suggesting a 2 phase. 1 phase 2.1 million, and the second phase is 1 million dollars. Looking at that through other grants and funding.
Butch will send it in email and distribute to the Board.
At 10:44 p.m. being no further business, Rob Garrity moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen's Meeting of September 15, 2008.
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James C. Lehan, Clerk
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