Reporting on the status of pilot testing for Koch Separation Systems upgrade of the water treatment plant, Jon Gregory of Tata & Howard told the April 13 meeting of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission that he was surprised to learn that Koch has received new technology approval prior to the pilot test.
“We thought it was going to be conditional, but it appears from the letter (from the state Department of Environmental Protection) that they have their approval in place,” he said.
After working with Koch, Tata & Howard submitted its proposal to the DEP, and Gregory said, “It appears we have met their expectations.” He said he contacted Koch on Tuesday morning to discuss logistics and expects Koch could possibly be shipping it to Mattapoisett by the end of the week. “Realistically, early next week,” said Gregory, outlining a four-week pilot-testing period that would be followed by a report sent to the DEP. By the time the commission meets in May, Gregory said, the pilot testing program should be well underway.
Commission member Paul Silva asked if the MRV should develop a timeline for all the pieces necessary, noting that there are, at best, two opportunities to get the funding. “Just one miss on that, and it could delay this thing a whole year,” he said, suggesting a meeting with the four participating towns’ selectmen and finance committees. “One community stumble, and we’re sitting here another year waiting; [I’m] just concerned about that.”
Chairman Vinnie Furtado, the Fairhaven representative, said that, pending the commission’s direction, “Do what I can do to get it into my capital plan” upon completion of the pilot study. He said that for Fairhaven, it is a choice between a $3 million or $4 million upgrade, “and we pay 60 percent of the bill…. We have to decide how we’re going to move forward with this.”
The MRV has reached a crossroads in its decision on whether to upgrade to the newest Koch technology or, for less cost, continue maintaining its current setup. The problem with sticking with the old technology is its replacement parts will be phased out.
Furtado said, from a financing standpoint, “This fall or a year from now should be our target.” He encouraged the commission to think progressively and not take for granted the job Renauld has done to get several more years of life out of the existing system than what was projected. “We’re really taking a shot; Henri does a great job.”
Renauld said in his Treatment Plant Operations Update that a compressor check valve let go. He also replaced the transducer on a lost compressor, lost a motor on a lower compressor, and replaced a blown gasket that required a chemical cleanup. “Due to age,” he said, “if we’re looking at these (old) filters, we’re going to be doing a lot more valves going forward.”
In his Tata & Howard Report, Gregory discussed a risk and resiliency assessment and would send a quality-control report to Renauld and Furtado next week for their review.
With the fiscal year coming to an end and town meetings on the horizon, Gregory said that it is time for the commission to consider FY22 chemical bids. He said that he would start preparing documents over the next couple of weeks and get some bids in by early June. Blair Bailey suggested making sure potential bidders know about their opportunity.
The commission discussed the ongoing herring run, and what Renauld said was a mild drought with rain down 3.5 inches off its normal pace. But he did add that the rivers are running well, and herring are on their way up. Laurell Farinon said the Mattapoisett River is looking low and that Dave Watling reported that herring migration is significantly off.
In her Commission Treasurer’s Report, Meghan Davis gave a total figure of $101,990.37, itemizing $7,800 in invoices, $21,001.75 in total electric, $16,950.37 in total maintenance and repair; and $6,830.61 in total charges associated with Tata & Howard.
Member emeritus David Pierce asked Vice Chairman Henri Renauld about the commission’s solar panel program. Renauld reported that a $14,199.84 electric bill was reduced to $11,389 at 80 cents on the dollar in addition to smaller bills. Renauld also reported that wiring is now underground, allowing for fewer interruptions in service and less impact from trees knocked down by storms. “Eversource is going to be taking care of the repairs from now on,” he said.
Davis told the commission that she plans to resign as treasurer but remain a member, citing the impending retirement of David Willett as Marion’s DPW director and her expectation of an increased workload. Davis noted that respective Marion and Mattapoisett town administrators Jay McGrail and Mike Lorenco had discussed possibly maintaining an outside bookkeeper; Willett stated that the commission needs to fill the spot.
Willett will stay on with Marion to help see the town through its costly wastewater lagoon project. Furtado said he would put the treasurer’s position on the agenda for the commission’s next meeting on May 11.
The MRV Water Protection Advisory Committee voted to send a letter approving a Form C subdivision off Gerrish Road and Longbow Lane in Rochester, pending the vetting processes standard to the town.
The committee’s level loggers are apparently running out of life at the same time so, with multiple failures, its members voted to buy three new units at $592 each.
In his Committee Treasurer’s Report, Jeff Furtado reported a net total of $240,139.41 as of April 1. He listed invoices totaling $3,893.75, $3,405.03 of which is from Tata & Howard. The committee voted to pay on three new invoices reported by Vinnie Furtado: $251.72 to Watling, $50 to Bailey, and $5,973.49 to Tata & Howard.
The committee and commission members opened their meetings with a moment of silence to remember engineer Patrick O’Neill, who passed away two weeks ago. “Good guy, sorely, sorely missed,” said Vinnie Furtado.
The next meetings of the MRV Water Supply Protection Committee and Water District Commission are respectively scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, at 3:30 and 4:00 pm.
MRV Water District Commission
MRV Water Protection Supply Committee
By Mick Colageo