HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-10 Government Operations Committee Minutes
Government Operations Committee
January 10, 2012
Minutes
Councilors: Gratwick, Weston, Longo, Gallant
Staff: Conlow, Farrar, Cammack, Arno, Higgins
Others: Kathy Moriarty, Bangor Water District Trustees: Wellington, Hamilton,
Foss, Miller
Interim Committee Chair Longo noted that Gratwick and Weston were voting members
for this meeting along with Gallant, a regular Committee member.
1. Bangor Water District Update
Introduction of BWD Trustees and Staff. Wellington introduced Trustees Foss,
Hamilton, and Miller
Corrosion Control Plans for Lead Compliance. Moriarty provided a summary of
the EPA Federal regulations and enforcement of lead and copper rules. The purpose is
to reduce both lead and copper exposure in drinking water and testing for each at high
risk homes. She noted that lead is not detected in the District’s source of supply at
Floods Pond and is not in the distribution system of the District. The lead is found
inside a home’s internal plumbing. In July of 2011, the District contracted with
engineers to evaluate the District’s corrosion control treatment to determine a strategy
to comply with the new regulations. She spoke of several changes in corrosion control
over the past several years. All of these resulted in less soda ash was needed to meet
the target pH, less alkalinity in the water, less calcium in the treated water, and high
lead solubility. As part of the study, different chemical treatments were reviewed for
corrosion control. Soda ash and C02 were the recommended options. She spoke of
Hampden’s success with this treatment. The annual chemical cost is estimated at
$103,000. This also will involve a capital investment of a quarter of a million dollars.
Before expending the money, it needs to be tested by the District at its Griffin Road
Pump Station. The pilot study is estimated at $75,000. Gallant spoke about codes for
new or rehab construction of piping. Moriarty said the code issue is being addressed on
the Federal level. In 2014, all fixtures will need to be manufactured with lead-free
brass. Responding to Gallant, Moriarty said in each monitoring period 60 samples need
to be taken from the same homes. Gratwick asked the cost for an average homeowner
to change their piping to non-lead solder. Moriarty said it would mainly be drinking
water fixtures. Gallant and Hamilton talked about the clinical problems with lead
poisoning. Weston noted that the items outlined by Moriarty estimated $450,000.
Moriarty said that the cost of the pilot will be included in their capital budget as well as
the additional chemical costs for the pilot. If the pilot is successful, the District would
need to look at other sources of funding for the remainder. Weston clarified that the
capital estimate for the equipment upgrade of $200,000 is not included in operating
year 2013. Moriarty again stated that the pilot is $75,000 and the chemicals for that
pilot should be around $7,000-$10,000 and included in the current budget for 2012.
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The District will be hosting a dedication of its new turbine facility on March 30. The
total project cost including all of the permitting, legal, materials, installation, labor was
$207,000. The annual revenue generated will be about $37,000. The project will be
reimbursed in about 5.5 years. The facility will be called the Rogalski Energy Recovery
Facility. Council will receive invitations to the ceremony.
As part of her project update, Moriarty noted that the Essex tanks and valves project is
completed. The remaining tank will be demolished in April of 2012. The new UV
facility is at 60% design completion to meet Federal regulations which require all
surface water systems to either inactivate or remove cryptosporidium. The project will
go out to bid in May/June of this year with a completion date of October 2013.
2. Notice of Award – FY2011 Homeland Security Grant Program
The City of Bangor has been notified that it has been awarded $141,317.72 for the
State Homeland Security Program and $110,194.08 for the Law Enforcement Terrorism
Program. Cammack said the grant program is designed to improve preparedness and
response capabilities for Homeland Security related events in the State of Maine. No
matching funds are required. Chief Cammack detailed how the funds are proposed to
be spent: Special Team Support, inoperability of equipment; contribution to the Orono
HazMart Team; mobile data terminal support, updating/upgrading record management
system and automatic vehicle locator equipment; training for the National Information
Management System Compliance. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff
recommendation. A Council Resolve will be prepared to accept and appropriate the
funding. The vote was unanimous.
3. Notice of Award – FY2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant
The City of Bangor has been notified that it has been awarded $54,900 for a Assistance
to Firefighters Grant. The total project cost is $61,000, with the federal share of 90%
($54,900) and the local share at 10% ($6,100). Cammack noted that the proposed use
of the funding is for the installation and purchase of an automated fire alarm system for
Central Fire. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendation. A
Council Resolve will be prepared to accept and appropriate the funding. Gratwick
supported the item but expressed his dissatisfaction at the levels of mandates from the
Federal Government. The vote was unanimous.
Adjourned at 5:45 pm.