PORT EWEN WATER & SEWER BOARD
OCTOBER 13, 2009
The regular monthly meeting of the Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 with the following members in attendance:
Donald Kiernan, Port Ewen Water & Sewer Superintendent
Peter Koelli, Port Ewen Water & Sewer Foreman
Douglas DeKoskie, Chairman
Ronald Phillips
Kevin Rentfrow
Michael Tronolone
Carl Belfiglio, Liaison from the Esopus Town Board, was attending a meeting in another part of the building and could not be present.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY KEVIN RENTFROW TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 MEETING. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
The report from Morris Associates was received a week ago and is ready for review, as reported by Superintendent Kiernan. Included in the report is a recommendation for smoke testing.
The generator has not been installed as yet, as Superintendent Kiernan advised the board.
The Doris Street pump station is still to be alarmed. The next phase for SAFECO is to follow the electricians in installing phase monitors. Foreman Koelli stated that the phase monitors are to be hooked up after the generators. All five pump stations will have phase monitors, except for River Road.
Superintendent Kiernan reported that there was only one water break during September, on North Broadway.
There have been many e-mails back and forth regarding this agenda item; they are included in the monthly report. Superintendent Kiernan has saved all e-mail and files. During discussion, it was noted that FEMA has requested cost estimates before the dewatering plan can be approved; the necessary work will probably be put out to bid. Superintendent Kiernan pointed out that FEMA still owes the town $120,000.00. He also explained that it would take twenty-six weeks to get a clarifier to the job site, then erected, then painted. Four more dewatering wells need to be drilled before the new clarifier arrives. Board member Kevin Rentfrow inquired about pumping water from the ground to the plant; Superintendent Kiernan pointed out that this is a Health Department issue. Mr. Rentfrow asked how deep the dewatering well is; Superintendent Kiernan replied that it is 200+ feet. This well has lowered the water level and has kept the level down, as well as lowering the level in the test wells. Chairman Douglas DeKoskie inquired about an extension, to which Superintendent Kiernan replied that an extension has been applied for and received.
During discussion, board member Michael Tronolone asked if the water system would still be chlorinated if there was an ultraviolet system in use, to which Superintendent Kiernan replied yes, this would be required.
Regarding the budget, Superintendent Kiernan will speak with Liaison Carl Belfiglio tomorrow, October 14th.
Hydrant flushing took place between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
On Wednesday, October 7th, cleaning was completed; the clarifier is now ready for winter.
Metal roofs are to replace the roofs dating to 1980.
Superintendent Kiernan advised the board that the Canal Street impeller is still working, but is making noise. It is being eaten away. The impeller needs to go to Troy for repairs. A new impeller would cost $3,961.00. If a bearing is needed also, repairs could cost $10,000.00. (A new pump could be over $12,000.00.) Board member Ronald Phillips asked if there is money in the budget for this: Superintendent Kiernan replied that there is money in reserve. The Superintendent will call about this tomorrow, October 14th.
Superintendent Kiernan has been investigating this topic, which concerns outside source revenues collected by the City of Kingston. Since the Town of Esopus pays 10.42% toward the city’s water treatment plant costs, we should also receive some of the outside revenue—which amounted to approximately $25,000.00 last year (approximately $86,000.00 since 1996). A letter from the Esopus Town Board would be appropriate—directed toward this issue. Chairman Douglas DeKoskie asked if there is any breakdown of information or supporting information that is included in the bills received from the city, to which Superintendent Kiernan replied no, the town receives just a plain bill. Mr. DeKoskie suggested that, beginning with the next statement, our invoice needs to contain supporting information, including revenues received by the City of Kingston.
In September, back samples were missed. This has never happened before. Superintendent Kiernan will put a legal notice in the newspaper within thirty days.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY MICHAEL TRONOLONE TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
It was noted that the propane bid went down 85 cents per gallon.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY DOUGLAS DEKOSKIE AND SECONDED BY RONALD PHILLIPS TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Meschi, Secretary
Port Ewen Water/Sewer Board