Board of Public Works Meeting July 22, 2026

All right, it's um 7:30 on July 22nd. I'd like to call the meeting of the Dartmouth Board of Public Works to order. Uh this is the meeting of July 22nd, 2026. The meeting is being recorded.

Uh it's being held remotely and um first order of business is to take a roll call.

Mr. Ganji, I'm sorry, Mr. Gier.

Present.

Chair is present. We have a uh quorum.

First order of business is to approve and accept warrants for the bills payable period ending June 6, June 13, and June 20.

Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and accept the warrants the bills payable for June 16th, 13th, and 20th of June.

We have motion by Mr. Gier. Chair seconds the motion. All in favor, Mr.

Gier.

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Next item is to approve and accept payroll for the weeks ending June 27th J July July 11th and July 18th. Do I have a motion?

Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and accept the payroll for the weeks ending June the 27th, July the 4th, the 11th, and the 18th.

I have a motion by Mr. Gier. Chair seconds the motion. Uh all in favor, Mr.

Gier. I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Next item is to approve and accept the meeting minutes for April 30th, 2026.

I make a motion that we approve and accept the meeting minutes for April the 30th of 2026.

I have a motion by Mr. Gier, second by the chair. Um Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Um, first Tim, I'd like to do a little um agenda review.

Under new items, item B is listed as a hearing.

Yes.

Um, is there any reason to take that out of order?

Let's see.

Either at the beginning or the end.

Uh, yes. I don't see um we got see are on currently um so we can we can we could take definitely take it out for now.

Okay. So he's scheduled to be on at 8 o'clock.

8 o'clock. All right.

Uh okay. Okay, we'll go back to old business. A approval of water rates, water and sewer rates. Tim, as previously discussed at the select board meeting on July 13th, the uh town administrator uh and finance director and recommended uh rate increases of 7.5% for water and 16% uh for sewer. Um I have attached you know a number of spreadsheets and workbooks for the board to review. Um you know with the

increases u in our in our budget for water a lot of expenses continue to increase for budgeting of water from the city bid. I know that the uh the town increased their overhead costs as well by $572,000.

Um so and uh you know we need we need to build those retained earnings back up to um to to be able to expend for for our capital projects and for that for the water and then for the sewer. Um same um you know we discussed had increases throughout the fund um for expenses. We had u a large increase this year due to bioolids. Um so so where bioolids was a a you know a product that

we composted and and uh get revenue for in the past now we have to pay to get rid of it. Um so that's plan to be uh starting in October um when the contract is up and we estimated about $100,000 per month uh needed for that. So that along with the other expenses and town overhead increases $315,000 uh we are you know recommending a 16% increase. And while we don't like to

increase these rates uh and spike the rates, um we we we do have a lot of large projects on the on the wastewater side where we're looking at a a six to 7 million aeration project uh for capital expenditures. Um as well as a you know a large um upgrades throughout the facility uh in the near future, you know, with the with all the impending uh developments.

um coming uh into town and and and a lot of flows um you know our capacities are going to reach their limits a lot sooner than we expected. So so these large projects where you know where we may do modifications and upgrades throughout the facility um individually we may have to do a lot of these as as one large project in in the near future. So, we need to build those revenues and

retained earnings back up to be able to fund those as well.

Mr. G, any questions?

Um, just a couple of comments.

I thought the meeting with the Dharma Select Board and town administrator and the finance director was very good because that gets very good coverage and I thought the explanations provided on water and sewer really helped to clarify for a lot of uh folks that pay those rates um you know just why in fact those increases um you know have to happen. Um a couple of comments. one I heard it

brought up in the media and I thought it was a very good suggestion. I believe it was brought up by Nathan Silva was the issue of having discussions with New Bedford um on the issue of volume discounts. Um I was actually very surprised at the amount of money that has been paid over the last year for water purchases from New Bedford. And to me um I think it's a good opportunity to have discussions

with their water board about when we reach certain thresholds predominantly you know by the millions of gallons per day issue that we would get some volumetric um discount possibly on that issue especially in light of we are fairly substantially away from uh putting in new wells that we can use for production. I think if we have those discussions very early on with them, uh it might make a lot of sense. And I

think certainly if I were in New Bedford Water Board with the discussions about the potential water from the city of Fall River that I would look to solidify u the contracts with some kind of incentiving uh such as volume volumetic uh volumetric u discounts. The second comment I have and I've actually talked to a few people since the meeting with the select board on the issue of the bioolids.

Um we have a very environmentally conscious uh process to treat sludge materials. Um the majority of other facilities put the sludge materials in a tank. They take them to incineration facilities uh both in Massachusetts and Connecticut and that's not the most environmentally sensitive way where they incinerate the materials at very high temperatures with large use of fuels toate them and it's

very costly as we're finding out. Um, I strongly strongly uh think we should be looking at and I think there are some local opportunities to continue to have these materials, the composted materials go to more environmentally positive uh uses and I would ask the staff to intensely look at that so that um, you know, we can continue the process that that plant was designed for. Um, we're critical. We only got a

few months till October, but I think there are some ripe opportunities here locally that we should be exploring so that in fact um we can continue to use that uh environmentally sensitive process. Those are my comments.

Absolutely. I can uh say that you know we we've had discussions with the city of New Beth in the past and and they stated that they are currently working on the intermunicipal agreement uh for the town for water and sewer. Um with that we we also um working with our new business manager bring bringing so she also reached out to the city of New Bedford and is requesting uh a sit down

again to discuss the uh rates and and possibly a you know a different tier uh for the amount of water that we use and and you know and it hasn't only been this year Mike you know if you look in the past few years you know that that that amount of water we've been using has been pretty tide, you know, based on some of our own production wells being down as we're working on bringing those

back up, but we have our our Penelli wells mostly backed up. Uh we had one one fail with a pump that they were working on replacing and and you know, of course, in the interim, we had uh the storm that damaged our our F wells. So, we're waiting for that infrastructure to come back online with the equipment. Um, luckily we've we've had some good amount of rain uh the last couple weeks to

allow us to keep our e- wells back on online um with the river levels uh staying up. So that's good that we're able to pump from those wells, especially while those other wells are down.

Yeah. Um Rob, just one comment. I think Mike did a really good job at the meeting explaining how the debt kind of the debt component fits into all this because that's really what that's really what's looming uh as far as like big ticket items going forward and um when you spoke about how that incorporates into future years rates I think I think maybe that was a really good uh description for the public because I

think people don't really see that piece of it. they don't see the part where you know we have to borrow but at the end of the day it's the enterprise funds that are that are fitting the bill if you you know it's so I think you did a really nice job of explaining that and I think sometimes we miss that you know when we talk about rate increases and we haven't

even talked about that I mean we haven't even built in we build in capital but we haven't even built in those bigger items and I and Cody and even when Sean was here we did presentations to the public but you know I think that that has to keep on being done in my opinion we you know we talked about what the rates look like going forward if we were to put in

a $50 million treatment uh sewer treatment upgrade or a brand new facility. So, I think the public that's a I think it was a really good point to make that you uh had uh had talked about at the meeting that you know the rate needs to support those.

Absolutely.

Yeah, Gary, I really appreciate the um the work that the town has done anticipating these big projects and I think you're absolutely right. Um the select board meeting was a a great time to lay that out for the public. Um Tim, I want to go back to um the issue of negotiations with uh New Bedford. Uh I'd like to make a couple of points.

First, uh, I realize New Bedford is sort of in the catbird seat in that they have the water and the ability to deliver to us water that we need. Um but I think there needs to be some higher level discussion with the city uh perhaps with their water commission uh perhaps with the public works director uh and including some of the policy makers in the town whether it's from this board or from the

select board and I think the there needs to be uh a an effort on Dartmouth's part to develop some of these alternatives for um structured rates and some some discussion about how they could be implemented and drive that part of the discussion. I'm not seeing that happen and we've been talking about this for a couple of years. So, um I encourage you to uh to approach um Cody and as

appropriate either members of this board or the select board to engage in those discussions. And I urged the uh professional staff to develop some alternatives for how the rates could be structured so that we meet New Bedford's c um financial needs as respect to the business of giving us water. Okay. Okay.

So, there's a certain amount of money that they're going to need to make all that happen and we should try and understand what that is. And beyond those payments, we should get a lower rate. It makes sense. And um I think if with the right approach, maybe they'd be able to see the value of it, especially to their uh neighbor to the west. That's all I have to say. Um we have before us

uh quite a bit of information that was provided um with respect to water and sewer rates. We have a proposed rate structure uh dated July 1, 2026 uh as the effective date. Um if there are no other comments, I would entertain a motion.

Chairman, I would make the motion that we approve or probably should separate these that we approve the water rates uh recommendation by the breakdown uh as shown in the water rates table dated July the 1st, 2026.

I have a motion to approve the uh water rates dated July 1st, 2026. uh an effective rate increase of 7.5%.

The chair uh seconds the motion. Mr.

Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. The increased water and sewer rates are approved.

Um next is the sewer rate. Mr. G.

Mr. Chairman, I would make a motion that we would approve the recommended sewer rates effective July the 1st, 2026 as recommended by the finance team, the town administrator, and our superintendent.

I have a motion by Mr. Gier. The chairs the motion. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Uh the item is approved. Uh like to thank town administrator Cody and Gary for their hard work and patience with us because we did ask a lot of questions and uh request a lot of information. So um Gary, yeah. So, um I think it'd be it I think it would be helpful if um you know, we're not the only community where we purchase where a community is purchasing

water from another community. Uh if you look across the state, I'm sure there are plenty intermunicipal agreements that that are that are there that we could use as a boilerplate. If you go back to like 1999 when I was starting in the city of Forever, we had a lot of industrial base and that industrial base went and you know, all the mills, they're no longer there. Same thing in New Bedford. I mean, it was the same

kind of setup. But my point is um you know we we when we when we met a certain volume the rate actually went down because we were considered a high industrial user. So I my only opinion is that if we're going to go negotiate with New Bedford and we know that we're using X volume of water. We don't go in and say well you know we want to um we want

a rate that's going to be increased. We want to we want to go in there with a with a pretty good solid uh intermunicipal agreement that shows hey we're a high industrial user. give us a break after so many volumes of water.

And I know that there's inter because I've looked at other communities like especially out in the western part of the state where they're sharing resources like through the quin uh reservoir where they're all you know tapping into that. There's a lot of intermunicipal agreements in those communities. I would only suggest that we look at those and maybe use those as a template because I I mean the last one

that we did was probably a decade ago if not more. Right Tim?

Yes. Correct.

Yeah. So I mean things have changed obviously our volume has probably gone up since then. Uh but you know I think that's Yeah. So I I um I've been asking for a meeting with New Bedford for about eight months now. So Tim if you can share that information with me maybe if I reach out um we can get somewhere because I know Tim has reached out because Tim and I

have been talk like I said we we've I've been asking about this for eight to 10 months.

Um and Tim has reached out a few times.

So, um, if Tim shares the information, we'll we'll directly reach out from my office and maybe we'll get somewhere.

Absolutely. And and one of the one of the requests that we had originally made was was that type of drop tier structure that Gary is talking about, you know, where you you set a threshold and once you hit that threshold, uh, the request that the rate drops, um, because, you know, we are a large industrial user.

Thank you, Gary.

Yeah.

Yeah. Another another I'm sorry. Um, another thing that we are we're looking at too is is evaluating we want to look at evaluating our tiers. Um, as we only have one tier uh across the board for residential and commercial. So, we want to look at uh our large users and uh and and evaluate those tiers to see if they're they're enough or if we have to modify them for the the amount of water

that some of the larger commercial users are using.

Gary, your your statement or your overview of the rates was well put. Tim, I believe pretty strongly that first the town should take a run at a draft contract.

Um and second that you should numbers on a modified rate structure. Uh perhaps have two or three alternatives. But I think it's important that you give the city something to react to and something that reflects how you think it would be uh best for the town. That isn't to say that they're going to accept it, but it's um you shape their thinking early on and you basically put down a um something for them to react to.

All right. All right. Anything else on sewer or water rates?

Okay. Uh next item is u approval of the 2027 smart rates. Tim So based on our previous uh 10ear rate study of the smart rate, a large increase was was previously planned for FY28 and uh with no increase uh for FY27 with no FY with no increase in FY27, the fund trends downward pretty pretty steeply. Um with with ever increasing costs, large capital expenses, uh we we initially increased uh recommended a $20

increase with would which the board approved um in our annual uh user fee um for our smart program.

I've been looking deeper into the fund and working with our new business man manager Brandy and as well as Gary and Cody. Um, we are recommending a larger increase this year. Um, you know, we also, uh, in looking at our capital and and looking at our budget, um, looks like we we we did have an increase of of right about 200 a gain of about 250,000, but we we did use a lot of capital over

the past year. Looks like we had we had 1.3 million in and approved capital expenses in in that fund over the past year. and we transferred uh 947 uh,500 over over from last year where the year before we only transferred about 7,500 of that capital. Um, so in order to build our retained earnings back up with funding uh and and and our increase uh to so program both in our our assessments, our you

know running our transfer station, our increase in recycling cost, increase in municipal solid waste cost and and equipment. Um and and also we you know we're working on bringing uh purchasing our fleet um of of vehicles and and keeping them them up to date and and modern and with the possible impending, you know, electrification requirements uh that have been pushed off for a time

being. We'd like to get as many many of of these newer vehicles as we can up and running before that's uh put on us because then that doubles the cost of our our vehicle purchases. Once we have to purchase electric vehicles, it'll it'll be up towards a million dollars.

So this year we are now recommending a $30 increase in our annual smart rate to go from $110 to $140 annually along with a a small increase in our bag fee uh from $1 increase uh for a package of small bags and $2 increase for a package of lot large bags.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

Um, my comment is more or to the breakdown, excuse me, of the 10-year trash enterprise forecast. If you drop down to the second page on that, you look at the operating expenses and the projections, in my opinion, they're grossly understated. Um if you just factor in the numbers of what we have had to deal with over the last uh five years I don't know how the consultants came up with

those uh understated estimated operating costs. Um I got great concern with that.

I don't know what consultant did this, but I seriously think we should find another consultant and have them look at what the true uh last year's last five years costs are, what the current year uh numbers are for these categories and correct those projections and operating costs. We got ourselves in a situation where we voted $120 um at our last meeting and just the team that has worked on this and analyzed

this further has found that that number was underestimated by the consultants for recommendation. So to avoid us being inside of this situation uh next fiscal year, I strongly strongly urge uh the finance team, the town administrator, and our superintendent, find another consultant or revise these projections yourselves because they're way off in operating costs and and that's where we're working on uh

actually doing it inhouse. So, so, uh, recently we hired our business manager, Brandy, who who who's taken a hold of that and and she's working on those, uh, those workbooks and and looking at future projections and she's doing a a great job. um really impressive and and I think I think we can handle this uh you know in house rather than going out to a consultant and and spending more money you know

and we'll be working we're working with Gary as well on this.

Yeah, we had a good we had uh Mike had a good meeting yesterday um was it yesterday day before yesterday with with Yeah. with with Brandy and I think she's got a really good handle on what we're looking for. She did a a nice like uh 10year projection. You're right. I think that the consultants that we had may not have this may not have been their book of business if you will. They may not

know uh the utility piece of it. I you know I've worked with that consultant in other community where they did mostly school work. So at that time my recommendation was not to use them but we did and and and so we you know we learned from that and going forward you're right we have to look at that 10ear projection because the public's going to want to know you know what this

looks like three four five years down the line but we have a good uh handle.

Brandy has a good handle. I don't know if she's here right now, but a good handle on what I think we're looking for going forward. And um we're going to have to implement that. You're right. I mean, it's $140. Now, if we bring in all these large capital items that we're talking about, just capital alone, if we're looking at spending $500,000 for a useful life on a truck, that's every three years.

Yeah, that's gonna that's going to affect the rate.

So, uh yeah, your point's well taken.

We're working on that internally. I think the the quality of product that we're getting is a lot better.

Take control ourselves.

Can you hear me?

Yeah.

Okay. Might be soft.

So, I was in the other room watching it on Kristen's computer. Mike, can you please just tell me which part specifically were you referencing so I can go over because I have been doing the projections in house because I absolutely you are correct. The consultants were way off. They weren't factoring in so many things unfortunately. So, if you can just give me a reference and I can work on those

numbers, tightening them up for you.

So, what I'm concerned about is on the second page in the operating expenses.

Um, the indirect costs, the projections, um, that's that's way off based upon what the uh indirect assessment will be for fiscal 20 uh fiscal 27. Um, it, you know, that's a big category.

um the the operating costs that operating cost should be adjusted at least by what the CIP is for the northeast region um uh which now I believe is close to 5% and then the total salaries categories the overtime the allowances that would be adjusted if and when you get a settlement on your DPW employees contract and adjusted by whatever the uh select board decides for the non-union

personnel on a cost of living. So, those are two those are three that I picked up right off.

Mike, can you I'm sorry. Can you repeat those a bit? We had a a speaker issue.

All right.

The indirect costs indirect to be adjusted according to what your indirect costs have been for the last five years and what is projected for your um your assessment for back charges. uh to the general fund. The category of the operating expense with uh the rate of inflation for the northeast uh CIP uh that that should be adjusted and then the salary category and those three that go with it should be adjusted

if and when you settle the uh DPW contract um for both the steps and for their uh cost of living increase. So, those are three that I picked up right away. And if you're going to address the trash bag issue, which I think we should talk about, um then then in fact, um you know, we'd have an adjustment there.

Thank you.

I I would make a comment.

I I really I I am a bit concerned and I would like you know the finance team to explain why we would adjust the cost for the bags because we're making a substantial increased cost and the uh yearly uh fee that the people pay that use the transfer station and the uh the brush removal and everything. And I have a a bag adjustment also at the same time I'm a little concerned.

So, I did run it without the bag adjustment and if we were to keep it at the 140 and with the $5 increments, we would run into a deficit in FY29.

So, I projected doing the $1 increment now and then $2 in uh two years FY29 to kind of get ahead of that and also rebuild that $1 million that we spent in the last year because we only have I think 360,000 available in the reserve right now.

Okay. Well, we certainly don't want to run into a deficit situation with the SP program. So, um I'll go with your recommendation on that.

I I think the other part of it, Mike, too, is is the OB the annual cost is a is a fixed cost, right? So, we know we have about 10,000 users. So, that's an easy number to estimate. Where the challenge becomes is right in the bags, how much usage you're going to get. So the benefit I guess we'll say of of looking at an increase in the bags is only as we have additional cost due to

more usage then we capture additional revenue from that. So it it really it's a corresponding cost right. So if the in if we don't have as much usage then we don't bring in as much revenue but our costs alo also aren't as much. So it it really it's it's I know it's not people don't like it, but it's actually more beneficial to the user because they're only seeing that cost increase as

they're using it rather than let's say you have someone who doesn't use the program as much. They're not paying just that fixed cost every year. So it that that's the reason why, you know, in Bry's review, um kind of doing a little bit of both was the recommendation to go forward rather than just put it all in the bags or just put it all in the annual cost is to try to keep it um you

know, comparative to where it is. But and the last thing I just want to say is Bry's only been with us for like three weeks. She's doing an outstanding job. I mean, the way that she's just jumped in um and and really dug into these rates and so many other things in the department is is phenomenal. So, kudos to Brandy. I think it'd be a good idea to have her at all these meetings going

forward, particularly as you talk about all the financial information regarding um DPW. I mean, this is really going to be her wheelhouse along with Gary, but it's impressive what she's done in a matter of three weeks. So, good job, Randy.

I I the only and I I understand and I think that's a a good line of reasoning on that. I would just ask that when we put together the recommendations for FY28 if we could look at keeping in 28 the rate for the bag stable and maybe look at an adjustment in the area of across the scale tip um price. Uh, and the reason I say that is that those people

that are bringing that stuff across the scale, they can't bring it to Eel Harvey on Charad Avenue. They would have to go all the way to the Bourne landfill. And the Bourne landfill, I believe, has a minimum of $110 per um, you know, load of materials that uh are trailered or brought in by a pickup truck. So I would just ask for 28 so we could hold the bag rate stable for

a few years. Then we look at comparing with other operations uh stuff that goes across the scale and we're also looking at tipping fees for municipal solid waste as well as uh construction and demolition uh to look at if that needs to be increased as well.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Any other comments or questions?

Uh, with that, I will accept a motion.

Mr. Chairman, I would make a motion that we go with the recommendation of the financial team and our superintendent of public works along with our new business manager relative to the annual uh rate being set at 140 and an adjustment in the bag uh purchase rate as recommended.

I have a motion by Mr. Gier. The chairs.

Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. item is approved. Um Tim, it's now 8 o'clock. You've got two items, three items.

We can open the hearing ahead of the hearing. Okay.

Um I'd like to go to our agenda item, new business B, uh which is a hearing for a tree removal request. Um, I'd like to open the med uh hearing uh Mr. Gier, you're present.

Present.

Chair is present. So, we have a quorum of the board for this hearing.

And um I I can share a screen if you want me to put the site plan on. If not, I can I can go through. Uh Mr. Gia, what's your uh what's your pleasure? I've got a copy of the uh site plan that I can put up or Tim can do it.

I think if you could put it up that would be great.

Okay.

Okay, take care. Gary and I are gonna jump off.

All right. Thank you, Cody and Gary.

Thank you.

Thanks.

One sec while I share.

Okay. Can you see that?

Oh, no. Okay.

Hello now.

Uh there. Yeah.

Okay. So, Mr. Mr. Garcia of Nine Gallian Drive is planning to construct an addition to his existing home. Um the addition includes a garage uh which includes the installation of a new wider driveway. Uh you can see the proposed addition a garage uh which would be impacted uh by an existing public shade tree. It doesn't show the public shade tree but it's right around where that 50 is on the dimension. Um Mr. Gossi is

requesting permission to remove the existing maple tree and I recommend um in you know to allow the the removal of the tree. Uh but to mitigate the removal of the tree, I would request that an additional uh tree be planted along the frontage uh of either by glass or gallium to to replace the tree that they're planning to remove. Mr. Garcia is also here.

What's the caliber of the tree that you're recommending uh for replacement?

Um, typically, uh, we recommend planting, uh, a two two inch or a two and a half inch.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Kim, what how, uh, how large is the tree that would be removed?

Um, the existing tree is about 16 inch diameter.

Right. And who would be responsible for the um initial establishment of a new tree, a replacement tree?

The the property owner would be okay.

Mr. G, any further questions?

I don't I think the recommendation of the superintendent for a tree of at least 2 and a half inch caliber is reasonable. Um um Mr. Garcia, do you have any comments or would you like to say anything to the board? Does um with replanting of the tree, does it have to be of a certain species, the same type of tree or um Yes, I I would recommend a a similar uh

species or uh definitely I know I know there are a number of ash trees around the property that are dying as well that we working on removing. But I think we also have a number of other trees uh that are specified in the in the subdivision regulations for planting.

Okay. along for a public shade tree. So that maple or or a similar Okay. Okay. But two and a half inch um is what you got. Okay.

And uh we can work uh we can work together on on approving a piece.

Okay. Okay. We we'll definitely do that.

That would be that'd be uh that'd be great.

Yeah. You want to probably Tim in consideration with the various utilities out there uh you want to mark the actual location.

Yeah, absolutely. A dig safe will be required prior to uh the installation for all the utilities. Correct.

All right. Uh any other comments or questions?

No. There's a uh are there any members of the public that would like to comment on this item?

Hearing none, I'll close the hearing. Uh, Mr. Gier, do you have a motion?

I would make the motion that we approve the request to remove the present uh, public shade tree and that it be replaced with a tree that is agreed upon as the species by the superintendent of public works at an appropriate alternative location on the applicant's property.

We have a motion for approval by Mr. Gier. Chair votes uh chairs seconds the motion. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Uh Mr. Garcia, your request has been approved.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you. Have a good day.

Thank you, too. Be in touch. All right.

Going back to our U. We can close. We can Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, Mr. Gier, I'll entertain a motion to close the hearing.

I make a motion and we close the hearing.

Motion by Mr. Gier. Chair seconds. Mr.

G, how do you vote?

Vote yes.

Chair votes yes. The meeting uh the hearing is closed. Rob, Rob, before before we leave this item, I had mentioned a few meetings back that we should do a newspaper article on what the designated uh scenic roads are that are subject to the um uh public shade tree, you know, bylaw in state statute.

Um I continue to go around town and I see some trees of pretty good size caliber that don't look like they're diseased. uh that are being removed uh along some different roads. Um this is this is a good example of one that I'm very happy that in fact this individual came forward, but this subdivision went through the planning board and the planning board had a tree planting plan that went with the approval of the

definitive subdivision plan. uh in those trees as this gentleman has done should be in fact heard by the board before they're removed and replacements are made. And I'm not always sure seeing some locations and some trees missing that this is happening and I think we need to do a public education of what the law says and what needs to be done.

Um, the only reason I bring this up is when I worked in matapoise, I had problems with this issue quite often and um, it's something that I think it's because of a lack of information out there. So, I would ask that in the town bylaw you list that you have the trees listed. An article should be done in the Dartmouth News that puts that information out there and that subdivisions approved by the planning

board for tree removal are also subject to this uh, procedure. Absolutely.

They're all considered public trees, right?

Mr. Gia, do you think it would be useful to um ask the the tree warden to brief the uh select board on this item? there's uh they have higher visibility and are covered their meetings are covered by uh Dartmouth Weekly and it might be uh something that would raise the visibility.

I think that would be a great idea, Rob, and I think to invite our tree committee uh along. They're they're valiantly working to uh preserve and put public shade trees back. And um I think if we had them, I think that would be great.

It would be televised and I'm sure at that point Dartmouth News would pick it up. And if we have a handout that we could give at that meeting so that the local media could get the information correctly in a news story. Everybody reads the Dartmouth News now. Uh it's great little public paper that helps out an awful lot and it's very unfortunate because I think people not intentionally

but do remove some trees and you really should be replacing them like this gentleman has agreed to.

I agree. And um you know the I know the tree diamond tree committee is working on the tree bylaw you know with with the town and that's actually been on agendas at the board. So maybe we can tie those two together.

Yeah. But if I hear Mr. Gier the emphasis would be on education as opposed to uh the bylaw.

the bylaw would be a part of the discussion, but um I think I heard uh suggestion of showing the scenic roads uh perhaps some a map or some and some photographs.

Uh and then a discussion of the tree planting approvals by the planning board and where those are so people in those neighborhoods understand that there there is an obligation to deal with these trees in a certain way.

Ironically, it's called it's scenic road, you know, bylaw, but it also includes removal of stone walls.

It does trees.

It's not just trees. It includes stone walls and 99% of the folks don't know that it's trees and stone walls.

That is correct.

Well, they certainly add to the character of this town.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

That that would be, I think, a very good agenda item for you to discuss with Cody. Um, and put us on early, please.

We'll try and I'll also uh work with the planning director as well uh because the the uh jurisdiction of of scenic road uh work uh pertaining to trees and snow walls is in that jurisdiction as well.

So I think having them us both together uh would be great.

Yep. Thank you.

Okay, the hearing's been closed. Uh we'll go back to agenda item C new B uh excuse me old business C operational study.

Okay. Um, so previously we had discussed I I'd been working with the top administrator uh on kind of holding off on the operational study until we we had our our staffing uh built up in our new build business manager position build. And now that uh Randy has been here three weeks, we're uh I've been speaking with the town administrator and we're going to work on uh uh obtaining a scope and and updated

cost of that work.

I think I think that's excellent and uh your choice for business manager is excellent. I've actually uh worked with this individual when I was in the city of New Bedford. Uh a the the thing I would like to do is I'd like to set up an agenda item that I don't know necessarily every month that we meet, but every other month that we would have an opportunity to have Brandy give us an update on the

operational study and the items that the select board and the board of public works prioritized in their recommendations for the study.

Um I think this is really important because it's absolutely excellent that we have got a person of this caliber to um you know be the the lead on this but I think the public select board and the board of public works needs to know what progress is being made on the items that they took a lot of time to put together on that list. And I would ask that we would agenda an item

to receive a report from Brandy directly uh during our meeting. It can only it only has to be, you know, a few 15 minutes or whatever, but I think the public knows that we're working hard to address uh items.

Okay, Tim, you can take care of that.

Absolutely.

All right.

And so initially it would focus on the uh operational study, but I'm guessing with time there'll be other items that are of interest to the board that could be discussed as well.

I agree.

Okay. Uh anything else on item C?

No.

Okay. Item D, storm storm debris planning.

Right. We we're working on uh the plan and the uh along with the uh looking at the the state debris plan uh with my assistant uh director and we should have some updates next meeting. I know the board's looking for some uh some land land use for for different process uh to be available uh for for processing uh storm debris if needed. So we'll look at that and uh and get back to you next meeting.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

other than I think it's very important um with the months that we're going into that people clearly understand where they'll bring um you know especially brush and trees and limbs in the event of a hurricane and what our expectations are as far as you know stuff that we can handle. Um I'm a little concerned to say the least that the next uh three months are prime hurricane season. Yeah.

Okay, Jim, you'll you'll bring this back to us at our next meeting.

Yes, sir.

Okay. Uh, next item is under new business uh approval of a professional engineering services contract. Tim, this is should be the final amendment uh for the construction administration services with Western Samson for the upgrade that the 579 Old Westport Road treatment facility. Um, and this will include uh all the required adu drawings and date reporting and and final punch list items um and and additional work

that's been going on for the last few months um over there and connecting all all of our uh upgraded infrastructure.

The uh the cost is 97,400 which would be funded through uh articles and operating budget.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

I don't.

Uh Tim, when when do you expect the uh system to be up and running?

So the the four log system is up and running. Um that that's how we were able to turn the penelli wells back on uh to start pumping. Um the the backwash uh tank they they're working on getting that all squared away. Um and I expect um sometime or hopefully early to mid August that that's complete. Um we uh working to make sure they're expedient but make sure everything's done correctly. We've been working with with

both our consultants and the water department's been working with with the contractor.

Any other questions?

Uh, I'll entertain a motion. I make a motion that we approve the professional engineering services contract for Weston Samson for the facility located at 57 579 Osport Road in the amount of 97,400 to be funded from the source as identified by the superintendent.

I have a motion for approval by Mr.

Gier. Chair seconds the motion. Mr.

Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes. Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh, next item on the agenda is item C, approval 101 Westport Road, Betterment Assessment, notice of release. Tim.

Yes. So, um, a notice of sewer bed, uh, was recorded, uh, for this property and and and all the properties that had services, uh, for the Lake Nova Oak sewer extension.

And that that notice was recorded ahead of the project to uh confirm that all the property owners were updated that there would be a betterment assessment um on that property and that it would you know it would travel with it with the uh with the deed with with that property of a transfer. And then after the the project was constructed, the order of betterment was was calculated, approved, and then recorded.

So, uh the attorney uh representing uh 101 road reached out requesting the release of the notice while the assessor's office is completing the release of the order upon the payoff of the assessment. So the the notice doesn't include a payoff, but the since it's a notice from the board of public works, we uh we are required to to complete the release. I recommend the release of the notice.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

No, I have none. I'll entertain a motion.

I make a motion that we approve the release of the notice of betterment assessment for 101 Westport Road. I have a motion to approve uh release of the betterment by Mr. Gier. Chair seconds the motion.

Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh next item is item D approval of license utility layer application. Tim.

Yes. Danella line services of Littleton Math has applied for a utility license.

Um they've been in business for over 25 years with over 28 years of experience.

They have submitted reference letters uh from Belmont DPW DPI in Welssley DPW.

I I recommend approving them as a as a license and utility layer.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

No questions.

I have none. I'll entertain a motion.

I make a motion that we approve the risk request for a licensed drain layer uh life permit.

Chair second the motion. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Um next item, Jim.

So, in our FY2027 annual bids, um we we uh we had put out a an annual bid uh advertisement for the Tuminous Concrete Excavation by Cold Plinger. Um we did receive three bids. Um but in in reviewing the specification um we noticed an error in the specifications as as we now specifically pave all of our roads uh using a super pave uh process. Uh the super pave specification requires a a micro

millilling um rather than the typical uh predated milling specification or code planning. So, we have updated the specification and we're prepared to revertise the project, but we would we would need to reject all bids so we can revert.

So, your recommendation is to reject all bits.

Mr. G, any questions?

I would make a motion that we follow the recommendation of the superintendent in regards to the rejection of this particular bid.

A motion by Mr. Gier. Chair seconds the motion. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Um, the bids are rejected.

Next item F, approval of a USGS agreement.

Yes. So, this is our annual agreement with the USGS of the United States of the Interior uh to continue monitoring our passing river levels uh throughout the fiscal year for our water supply wells. Um, and this is for the cost of $18,200 which is comes out of the water department budget.

Mr. G, any questions?

I would only make a comment, Mr. Chair.

Ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch. Um this is actually something again that I think our our community knows little or nothing about in that the wells which we have a significant number of them along the Pascamit Chase

Road uh aquifer corridor uh going all the way up to um uh just you know the north end of Chase Road. um east uh area is subject and has been subject for a long time to closures when water levels uh in the wetlands and in the testing that little building that exists right at the Russell Bridge is one of their stations and I see the federal uh vehicle there checking different things and Tim has mentioned

during the drought that they have had well closed I mean uh well shutdown requirements ments in that area. I think I don't know what the mechanism is, but I think we ought to even if we just did it historically, is release how many times we've had to do closures on those wells, which again is a factor that is important to the decision makers in our community as to, you know, what we have

for usable aquifer produced public drinking water. Um I I just I I you know this is something that has been there for quite a few years now. But it does have an effect because if we don't have the yield that we need from the other wells that are not subject to the closure or buying more water from New Bedford and I think we've seen now at least a few years where uh Noah has

identified our area as in a severe drought situation. So, we're not only going to be looking for additional acryers tap, we're going to be in a situation we're going to be subject to closures. And we have been and we this is part of the reason why we've had to buy so much water from the city.

Yeah, thank you, Mike. And we're we're currently in a significant level two drought. Uh we're part parts of the state are actually in a critical level three drought.

Yeah, we we kind continue our our non-essential use uh restrictions. Um and and we, you know, continue to look for enforcement of of anyone that's that's violating those.

Tim, I I think to um address Mr. GE's concerns. Uh a simple chart or graph showing um river level and uh rainfall over the past well you've probably got records of 20 or 30 years or more. Um and then an a an indication where the cutoff of our wells is in terms of river flow. So you basically have um a line for river flow and uh some perhaps either bar graph elements for rainfall

and uh a simple red mark for the cutoff.

I think that's that would show the information. Um, and then, uh, we should h have a conversation about how to put that information out into public so that the public is aware that when it doesn't rain, we have to buy more expensive water. And I think a graph um, as suggested by Mr. Gier would would pretty much tell the story pretty easily. I agree.

Okay. All right. Any other items? Uh discussion on this item?

No.

I will entertain a motion.

I would make a motion that in fact we approve the agreement for professional services for compliance to the USGS agreement for our river uh level water monitoring.

I have a motion to approve by Mr. Gier.

Chair seconds the motion. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Um for the total sum of $90,530 uh this would be funded. Uh the 90,000 would be coming out of an article and then the 530 uh would be out of the operating budget.

Any questions?

No.

Entertain a motion. I make a motion that we approve the professional engineering services agreement for sewer pump station SCADA system upgrades with Warwood and Karin for the amount of 90,530.

I have a motion to approve.

You're locked up by Mr. Gier. Chair second the motion.

I I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Um item is approved.

Next item H is approval of CWMP agreement with Tyen Bond.

Mr.

Ty Bond has has submitted a scope and fee for the comprehensive wastewater management plan for a total sum of $627,200.

This includes uh some additional scope that we we had uh discussed in uh in our meetings with him with the the consultant. Um I know we had we had also been asked to obtain an independent fee estimate uh for the scope and fee. So we have reached out um to a company to uh to obtain a an estimate for that service.

Any questions, Mr. Gier?

Yes. I I believe we should table this item until the if has done been done. An IF independent fee evaluation looks at the issue of the task, the breakdown or chart of what the rates are of the individuals that will work on this particular project and the task to match the skill and training requirements of the individual to uh perform the task. and they look to use the individuals who first meet that

versus, you know, the higherups that are paid a higher hourly rate. Um generally the experience has been that the if looks to find whether or not the numbers of the contracted uh employees is within 10% of the uh estimated actual cost that the if determines so that you have some discussion on that. Um we're talking almost three quarters of a million dollars here on a contract. I do like

the contract and it's going to be complete their work within 18 months.

But I do have also concern that they are looking to bill in that contract on a percentage of basis of completion of the task.

I feel that in fact the ta the billing should be on an hourly basis with a description of the task that's completed. This way we have a better control. you want to make sure that you don't expend too much and to deal with percentages versus hourly rate for the task completed, you're better off. So, I would table this until we have uh an ifs are not that expensive. Um there's firms that are doing them in Massachusetts

on another project I'm working on. The turnaround has been very good. So, we're probably looking at we could take this item up for a vote at our next meeting.

Tim, can you get an if um on board and completed within a reasonable amount of time? And what do you think that would be?

I think we can. We've requested an estimate. Uh so we're waiting for that.

Uh that answers part of my question. Do you I believe we can get it in in a reasonable amount of time.

Okay. Can you can it be finished within a reasonable amount of time? That's more the question.

Yeah, I I believe so. And a lot of discussions uh with the consultant as as soon as possible.

We're the reason I ask is that the this project seems to have required more time than I anticipated three years ago. And so, um, I'm anxious that we finish these important steps, uh, in a timely manner. Uh, we really need to get this thing underway. So, um I could you report to us um informally how well you're doing with the um the if you have a chance to talk to the uh a potential contractor um

what the timeline might look like and are you going to have to come back to the board for approval for the work uh the IF work.

Uh yeah, typically on a on a consultant agreement, we would uh is there a limit um below which the public works director can approve a contract like that?

There's no set limit. I guess the board uh could could set a limit. Um, yeah, I'm looking for a way to expedite this overall process.

Absolutely.

All right. Well, okay. We have a a motion to table by Mr.

Gier. I'll second the motion. Um, Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes to table this item to our next meeting in August.

Uh chair's votes. Yes. Uh the item's been tabled.

Um okay Tim.

And uh gentlemen, I can I can also if we get it early enough earlier, you know, maybe we can maybe reschedu an earlier meeting to move it forward if needed.

But I'll keep you posted and updated.

All right.

The next item is discussion of interviews for uh additional members of the uh board of public works.

Yeah, the town has requested that the board of public works interview a recommended public works applicant. So, so, uh, as a result, um, so a request in the charter change was approved at at town meeting to move the the board of public works increase the members from three to five and the uh that was also approved in the elections for uh for one of the questions. So, we have uh received a

number of applicants. We've actually received 12 applicants and we have recommendations from the select board and the board of public works on on candidates. So we selected a number of candidates. Um, initially we had we we were going to interview remotely uh and and and based on remote access we had four candidates but we the board chair has had requested that we interview in person which is a more

personal approach and I agree. So, we're looking at scheduling um the interviews for tomorrow morning at 10 am at town hall uh for the first two candidates um Pison Greenaw and Glenn Gertridge.

And based on availability, uh we're we're looking at uh scheduling additional candidates uh James Richie Elio as an era and one additional Richard Setley um for in-person interviews as well.

All right. So, you'll Tim, you'll send out a um scheduled to us.

Yes.

And these interviews would would be at town hall.

It'll be at Yeah. at at town hall. So, they can be uh recorded by DCTV.

and present.

Mr. Gier, any questions?

I don't have any questions. I'm uh glad that they're going to be conducting the interviews.

I I think our objective is to get on the select board's agenda in August um and have a recommendation for them and have a couple of people join us.

Absolutely.

Okay. Uh if there's nothing else on this um item, we'll move to the next item, committee reports.

Um the water quality committee met last week. Uh there was about an hour and a half's discussion on first introductions to the of the committee members. Uh it's a large committee.

There was a discussion about um the importance of water quality to the town and also the chair has of of the committee has provided um a list of potential subcommittees for the committee members to consider before their next meeting and a list of potential objectives for the first year of the committee's work.

Um the point was made that given the size of the um and diverse interests of the committee members um that the subcommittees would be the best way to uh get the work the necessary work done.

Any questions about that?

No, it seems like a good plan.

Okay, Tim, did you did you get a copy of this uh this email from uh Melanie?

I did.

Okay. I didn't look to see if uh Mike was sent a copy. Could you if he was not on the list, could you send him a copy?

I could have.

Okay.

Can Can I ask question, Tim? Um, on committee updates, has the capital planning committee been meeting? I I haven't received any notice of meetings and um I do want to participate in that, but I'm not too so sure they've had any meetings as of recent.

Um, they I don't believe they have. Um, but I can I can check see if there's a scheduled meeting and agenda. Can you just verify that I'm listed to take the place of uh you know Rob on this?

Absolutely.

Thank you.

All right. Any other committee issues with that? Tim, your briefing.

Um so I I've wrapped up the uh the 579 uh Westport Road uh update. uh have that. So, we're hoping to get that done within a month.

We also we're continuing with our our road maintenance schedule uh for this year. Um we've done some uh crack ceiling in the Emerald Heights uh development neighborhood, a number of streets in there and one street in Colonial Way and Murray Mount that we are prepping for a microsurfacing project. So, uh that hasn't been scheduled yet, but it's in the works.

So, it should be scheduled hopefully within the next couple weeks. And then we're working on scheduling our our additional uh road milling and uh surfacing uh for later in the summer.

We're also working we're our crew has been working on the Memorial Stadium overflow parking lot behind town hall in the stadium. Um, and we had we had put the binder down on that and our staff is working on on constructing this this the stairs and u and also a a guardrail on a little portion of that so we can finish that up. Once we finish that up, we can put the surface course on.

Uh we're also working on a project with the veterans agent out in front of town hall to install a number of flag poles.

Uh there are three flag poles currently.

Um, so the plan is to remove those flag poles and install 11 total flag poles um with new electric and and lights.

So, uh, crews will be working on that as well.

Uh, Tim, yes, this I guess this is just an obvious question. Um, why 11 flag poles? Um, so they have the main obviously American flag and there are a number of of of other flags whether they're military and veterans flags um throughout. I don't I don't have all the the data on all the flags, but I can get that and update the board.

That's all right. I was just curious. 11 that's a lot of flags. Yeah, it'll be the one American flag will be a 30 foot tall and then there will be five on each side 25 foot tall.

Tim, on your projects, when are they going to line Chase Road and Sulkum Road? People are wandering all over on those roads.

Yeah, I know on on Silken Road, we did install temporary uh coil uh hash marks for the center line. We usually have to wait a little while because if you if you install the striping right away, the oils will absorb the color and and it'll have to be redone. Uh so so you know, the the rain and and cooling temperatures helps. So so we're looking at doing doing that in the near future,

but I can I can definitely get the schedule for you. The the last item on your construction stuff, um the issue of certain brook and stream culvert replacements. Um we get these flash storms and uh sustained rains and washovers because the culverts are inadequate size. Yeah, if you have a list, if you have a list and an estimated cost, this might be something that we would consider for the

fall town meeting to get the appropriation.

Um, you know, from their surplus revenue free cash certification to replace them and work at them. Um, it's a little it's a little uh concerning when you see, you know, a foot and a half of water going over a road surface and the dangers that presents.

Yeah. I've been in discussions with with our conservation uh director as well as um so we're we're currently working on an asset management program um with our consultant who and and half of that project is towards uh sewer and wastewater asset management but the other half is towards culverts. Uh so so culvert asset management uh evaluation of a number of culverts and identification and location of them. So

that that's what we're working on currently. Uh so you know I think with with that project we can identify a number of culverts that need upgrading.

the um the acronym for it is escaping me, but the there's a program for um floodprone areas and uh public works project uh Matapo just got $2.5 million for the replacement of the culver on Matapo at neck road that had into title interchange.

Um they they usually have plenty of money in that program. You might want to prioritize your list and submit it to them and will help the appropriation better than to say that we're going to get x amount of dollars under the state program and the town only has to put up a smaller amount.

Correct. Absolutely.

So, uh moving forward. So, our our staffing update, uh, we've introduced Brandy, our new business manager. Um, we're also in the process of hiring three new laborers from the highway department. Um, we we promoted uh Joe Ma or Jose Ma to water pollution control assistant superintendent uh based on the retirement of Mark Fenook.

Um, Joe M is on today with us. Um, so we are excited to have Joe uh as our new water push control assistant superintendent.

And the the town has also hired a new HR director uh who's scheduled to begin work on August 31st. U so but we you know we've been moving along. uh the former HR director has been hired to to as a consultant to assist. So we've been working uh with her as well as well as the town administrator on moving things forward.

And then lastly, you know, with with the uh we got just over two inches of rain it looks like last night. Uh which should definitely help with our our water situation and keep our uh our restricted wells pumping um for a little while longer uh with the river levels uh being coming up. Um we're looking at uh an hopefully an August date to receive uh the transformer infrastructure so we can install that to

get the the epo back up and running and that is all I have any uh questions or further discussion Mr.

Gany, one of the things we discuss a lot of different things in our meeting and have a lot of comments and I'm wondering if Tim could have uh someone on staff give us a few days after our meeting what I what what I used to call open and pending items. Um certainly as I get older I often forget what the things are that I need to bring up at the next meeting a month from now.

And if we sort of and and I'm it doesn't have to be elaborate. It doesn't have to be minutes. That's just a laundry list of you know we'll take as a good example open and pending issue setup meeting with the select board on the discussion of senior gr bylaw. um if I if quote quote for if I if to be discussed August agenda it's just it just very very helpful as we bring different things up

if we just had it in a one pager uh a few days after can even be handwritten I I I don't care but if they could send it to us I I would find it very helpful to make sure that uh we keep on these things and keep them and bring them to resolution and check them off the list.

Just my thought. It' be helpful for me.

Absolutely. I've always called them action items. So, open and pending is fine too.

Call it whatever fits, right?

So, I'll make that an action item as well.

There we go.

and a few days a few days after because also it gives me an opportunity if there's something that I need to do or I've said that I would do I can look at the list and make sure I get it done before the next meeting.

Sounds good, Mike. I think that's a great idea.

Thank you for putting it out there.

Anything else?

I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn.

Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we adjourn the board of public meet Board of Public Works meeting of July the 22nd 2026.

I have a motion to adjourn by Mr. Gier, chair seconds. Mr. Gier, how do you vote?

I vote yes.

Chair votes yes. Thank you all for attending.

I want to say again that uh the professional staff of this town does good work and uh takes the business of providing health and safety to their residents seriously and I deeply appreciate that. Anyway, thank you. With with that, the meeting is adjourned.

Thank you. Have a great day.