Board of Public Works Meeting September 24, 2026

All right, good morning. Uh, my name is Robert Alme. I'm the chair of the board of public works for the town of Dartmouth. Uh, it's we're going to meet open our meeting of September 24th, 2026.

Uh, this is a virtual meeting and it is being recorded.

Uh, we'll take a roll call, please. Uh, Mr. Greenaw.

Good morning. I'm here.

Mr. Aera.

Yes.

Mr. Richie.

Good morning. President.

We therefore have a quorum. Uh, our first item is to accept warrants for the bill's payable period July 425, August 1, 20.

15th and 29th.

Do I have a motion?

So moved.

Second.

I have a motion by Mr. Azner. Second by Mr. Richie. Uh Mr. Greenall, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Aera?

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh next item is to approve and accept payroll for August 29.

August September 5th and September 19th.

Do I have a motion?

So move.

Second.

I have a motion by Mr. Azner. Second by Mr. Richie. Uh Mr. Greenlaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Azner.

Yes.

Mr. Richie.

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Uh item is approved. Uh the next item is to approve meeting minutes. I notice um our quorum today is uh only able to consider and vote on the meeting minutes for 20 the uh August 27th. So Tim, the other ones will have to come back. Um Mr. Richie, you did not uh attend the meeting on the 27th, so uh you will not be able to vote. Um,

so I will make a motion to approve the August 27th meeting minutes.

I have a motion by Mr. Aier. Do I have a second?

Second.

Second by Mr. Greenlaw. Uh, Mr.

Greenlaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Aer.

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh, next item on the agenda is old business a update on the operational study. Mr.

Barber. Yes.

So we have we had presented a scope uh to the board um last meeting and and uh discussed reducing the scope a bit uh and the number of comparable uh communities um to to reduce the the cost. Um we I submitted that scope to one of the uh consultants that had previously uh submitted a scope and fee for the study and they have submitted a new uh proposed scope and fee which is uh which

is which is reduced.

The proposed scope and fee um has also been submitted to the town administrator for his review and a board review. Um and if this is uh sufficient. I plan to request additional quotes so we can move forward with the study.

Um does anybody have any questions on the on the scope or cost?

Any questions? Board members.

Um Tim, you said you're still getting some more you're still getting some more information right?

Yes, more information and and uh to we'll request at least two more quotes.

All right. So, so no questions at this time.

Any other questions?

Yeah, we are we are all going to be able to see all this information, I assume.

Yes. Yeah. The um the scope that was recently submitted, I did uh add that to the packet um late, but it's in there um for you to review. and uh as I get the other two um or or more than two, I will I will submit them as I as I receive them to the board.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

If there are no other questions, uh we'll move to business B update storm debris planning.

So there's a uh you know our assistant director uh and I work on the draft uh storm debris management uh plan. Uh the the draft plan is is in your packets. Um along with the the map of the processing sites and storage sites that we discussed in the previous meeting. Um, we will be discussing our proposed debris storage sites and in the plan with the EMA director uh next week.

We're trying to get it this week, but due to the impending Nor Easter um he's pretty busy. Um, so we we we're planning to meet with him next week and discuss any comments that he may have on on a draft plan as well as any of the the sites that we're proposing. And we still need additional sites. So, we're still uh looking for feasible sites that we can store score debris, manage debris, and process debris.

Board members, any questions?

No questions. Uh I thought it was a well-written document.

Well said. Thank you. Yeah. And and if anybody does have any comments on it in the future, you can you can sure reach out to me with the comments and uh we'll we'll review them and and make any amendments that are needed for future drafts until we can get a a final revised document.

Tim, I presume that uh this document will be revised from time to time even after it's uh finalized as conditions change. It's a working document. Uh you know, you know, personnel change, sites might change. So, yeah, they will need to be revised from time to time.

Thank you.

If there are no other questions or comments, uh we'll move on to old business C, an update of the water and sewer abatement policy.

So I I ended up uh I I know Rob had asked for additional information on this. So, I did add the previous uh abatement policy which was which was a little vague and um and and in and during our previous meeting uh the board asked that um that the director manage any abatement request uh departmentally um or administratively unless there's an appeal or a request for further decision from the So the the

updated water and sewer abatement policy authorizes direct the director to approve partially approve or deny water and sewer abatement requests for water billing and meter correction, swimming pool filling, uh broken and leaky pipes, faulty leaky pipes, uh with some exclusions in the document as well. And then uh the the director may also refer matters to the board um based on uh

uh information outlined in the document and and the applicant may also appeal the director's decision to the board of public works within 15 days of the director's decision.

Board members, any questions or comments?

I don't Mr. Chairman, uh, I got to say as the as the guy who heard who, uh, people appealed their bills for 26 years, I find this very well written.

Uh, I I I don't know who did you write this, Tim, or did you have a legal No, our business manager, Brandy, put this together.

Yeah, I I I I think this is they did an excellent job on this. The only question I have is, does it cost us 125 to test a water meter?

Yes.

Okay. Because we shouldn't be making money on it. If that is what it cost us, then I agree. We used to do the same thing. But I I commend you guys for putting together a um you know, well written. Uh it seems to count for, you know, you can never count 100%, but it seems to account for 99% of the situations that come up.

Yeah. So, um I think I I I think it's I'll double check the cost to make sure that we're not making money because typically we just we just pay the bill for the test by by requiring the applicant pay for it, right? That that's the that's the only comment I had is like we shouldn't be making money if somebody has a problem.

Uh and I agree, we did the same thing.

If the if the meter was faulty, we we would cover the cost. But if uh the meter wasn't faulty, then the the on the homeowner would pay for the cost.

Otherwise, everybody would be having to test meters all the time.

Correct.

So, no, but I like I said, I commend you guys for putting together a comprehensive document uh that I think spells out the uh the majority of the cases that come up. So, thank you.

Awesome. And other than just clarifying that I uh I think I will be in support of uh the board voting on this.

Any other questions board members?

No.

Uh Tim, I noticed this was um marked as an update on the agenda, not for approval. Can you bring this back next time uh noticed so that we are in a position to actually take action on it? Yes, it was submitted as a draft. Uh if there are no comments, I I believe the board can take action, but if you if you'd rather, we can we can postpone to a future meeting.

Uh given the number of uh times we've looked at this issue, um I think it'd be worthwhile to be very careful on how we adopted um adopt a new policy.

Sure. Absolutely.

So we can bring that back at at our next meeting. Yeah, one more meeting is not going to make a really make a difference on this. That way and Tim, you can verify the the charge before that also that we'll have a f final number.

Okay. Uh if there are no other questions, uh item D update of water and sewer abatement.

So, I just want to make an a mention that the address on the agenda 114 Frank Street was incorrect, but the correct address is 116 Frank Street water and sewer abatement. Uh, Mr. Mr.

Allison of 16 Frank Street had previously requested an abatement due to a leak in his water heater and shut off valve. uh you know the bill for this period was $1848 which significantly lower than a previous bill of $23057 and then they had bianual bills of $719 and $347.50.

The board previously uh heard this um and and the applicant um the billing uh does not in the in the in the uh and the bar graphs submitted don't show an increase from the past bills and the use as depicted um for the week. um in in typical use during this time compared in the graphs uh to uh previous year. Uh the the use seems is lower than the previous year but but the the trend is

is consistent with a previous year. the use. Um the applicant had stated that the the leak started on June 18th and went through June 24th. The board had asked for documentation on the leak. So he provided a a bill from a plumber for $900 on June 24th that was prepared. Um the amount of the leak um was calculated at approximately 73 cubic feet for that time period which totals approximately

$4.38 for the sewer. Um so we wouldn't typically abate water because it the water did go through the meter. Um, so if the board was inclined to approve an abatement, uh, it would be for the sewer since the water didn't go down the sewer and that that was, uh, calculated by the water department.

Mr. Allison is here, I believe.

Mr. Allison, do you have anything you'd like to share with the board?

Mr. Allison, I see you're you're on, but your mic is off. Could you turn on your mic in the uh lower left hand corner of your screen?

There we go. Mr. Alison.

Yes.

Okay.

When that leak first started, that was on that was a Thursday on the uh 18th. There was sufficient amount of of water being wasted from that time until the plumber came.

Every time I use the water, I h what I was doing was I had to shut off the main because there was so much water being wasted. That water that water was coming was coming from from the top of of the water heater.

So whenever I was not using the water I had I had to go to the main and shut it off other otherwise that water was being wasted.

That was a good idea.

So how much water was wasted?

Not sure. But but all I know is that every every time I put that m uh you know uh put that may back on so so I can wash up or or you know do do uh dishes whatever. Right. That water was coming out pretty goddamn good from the top of of my water heater.

Board members. Any questions?

Pam, I assume that you went through on and your with your new uh readers and the way you track them. So, you were able to see during that period of time exactly how much more than normal. I can tell you from experience, my brother-in-law who lives also in Dartmouth that I'm with right now, he he recently checked his uh meter and could see that they had used eight gallons to water his garden. That's how that's how

closely this system works, right?

So for Mr. is so you understand that the these new water meters and the way it's tracked, they can go back and see exactly what the difference is and what looks like a lot of water because the way the billing is set by cubic feet uh like like Tim Tim calculated the difference it and because you you did shut it off so what you wasted may be less than what you obviously less than

if you had left it coming, but it might not be as much as you thought. So, um I think Tim has the numbers to back up the the calculations that he did and the new systems allow us to do that. Before we'd have to be guessing and estimated, but the new water meters, you can go in and see on those days how much more than than normally we used and that's what

the calculations are based on. But just to let you know though, right, my last bill was2 $230.

This recent bill was $270.

That's a $40 difference.

Well, you're still you're still being built for the water.

The the the what we're propo what Tim's proposing is the waiver is only for sewer because the water did go through the meter as a policy. Water that goes through the meter gets charged. It's the the because it did not go down the sewer. It's the sewer portion that gets waved. And my understanding is correct.

The water and sewer fee rates have gone up in the last uh 6 months. So you probably would be seeing you're also seeing a substantial increase in water and sewer rates. That has also happened because of things that going on on both the water and sewer side.

$40 So Tim, any other uh information for us?

Um I can just I mean I can share a graph if you like of a typical use um from from January through uh August.

While Tim's setting that up, are there any questions from other board members?

Okay, can everybody see that?

So, this is this is the consumption uh for the year.

Um and uh shows the light blue is last year um at this residence and then the dark blue is this year. So the light blue shows a consistent increase uh through October and then dropping after October.

Um this um the blue the dot loop shows a slight increase um through June drop in July than an increase in August. Um so if you look at past months uh January, February was lower uh March and April were a little lower and May and June were higher. So that and August and so so that would increase your youth which would increase your bill as well as um and and then

when we looked at the the previous year the the bill was might have been higher because there was more.

So that's kind of what we have to go through. Um so that's your you know monthly uh for the year that that graph that that graph you you guys are right in June you can see the spike in June right and then and then September is fairly low so far.

Yeah that's because the month the reading was taken earlier in the month.

So yeah, so that'll, you know, we can get a better reading after that, I guess. But um I mean I I don't consider that a spike. It looks like a pretty consistent increase uh comparable to the past year. Um it could be Yeah.

due to some of the leak.

Most people mo most people use water June, July, and August, maybe even September just because uh there's there's always a little more outside water use. So it's typical for the as it shows in the last year you you have the uh trending up and then back down just just to let you just just to let you guys know my water heater is really close to my pit. So when my water heater was leaking, it was

going right to the pit, right?

What's that? A sump pit.

Excuse me.

A sump. A sump pit you're talking about.

Yes.

And as long as that's not tied into, we won't check. Yeah.

Yeah.

That's right. Exactly.

So Tim, you had another graph. Did you want to share it?

Sure. This graph is is a daily graph for the month of June. So, uh, Miss Allison said that it was from the 18th um through uh the right.

Yeah. So, this shows uh previous month usage in the in the the lime green and then uh and then June usage um in the dark blue. So, you know, between the 18th and the 24th, uh, it goes back and forth, but most of, you know, mostly the there was more Houston in in May during, you know, during those that those days in in May as opposed to May days in June. That's what what that graph shows.

And this all, you know, these graphs are all part of that new program in our cellular read real time data that the water department can pull up.

Um, and you and you miss Allison, you can also u use ion water to to uh review your your water use.

Okay.

Real time as well. And if you haven't signed on to that, um, you can always reach out to the water division. They can assist you with that.

Okay. Thanks for that.

You're welcome. And then we have one last which is uh basically for this is for Thursday June 25th. So I think that was already done right the 24th was when it was repaired.

So this just shows you say John the 25th and uh the previous day. So the previous day is in the rust color which would be the 24th and then the blue is uh the 25th which is the day after the repair.

So I I'm I'm thinking that the water you you kept in check by shutting the valve off. Uh which is which was good thinking. So you didn't waste a lot of water and although there was water wasted, it it doesn't seem to be uh that much water in addition.

So Tim, if I understand your summary, the um you estimate the amount of waste at 73 cubic feet. Is that correct?

Yes.

And there are 7 and 12 gallons in a cubic foot.

There are.

All right. So that would make uh I don't I can't do the math in my head anymore.

calculated approximately 600.

So 546. Yeah.

Okay. 500. So that's the amount of water that was wasted. And um it would have been a probably a lot more if uh Mr.

Allison had not um taken the time to shut his man off between when he needed water.

So, um, board members, do you have any further questions?

No.

All right. Uh, this was presented to us as an abatement.

Um the board can approve the uh recommended sewer abatement or can make a different motion for this particular item. Uh board members, do I have a motion?

Make a motion we approve.

Second.

Uh the amount of the abatement is $4.38 for sewer.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Okay. Do I have a second?

I'll second.

All right. Uh we have a motion by Mr.

Richie and a second by Mr. Azner uh to abate the sewer charge of $4.38.

Uh do I have uh Mr. uh Mr. Greenlaw? How do you vote?

Yes.

Uh Mr. Mr. Azera, yes.

Mr. Richie, yes.

Chair votes yes. So, the sewer abatement is approved.

Thank you for your time, Mr. Allison.

And by the way, I want to I want to uh commend you on your efforts because obviously turning the water man off made a big difference.

Um, okay, Tim. Uh item E, 257 Russell Mill Road.

Yes. So this uh a request for water into a baitavement um from Mr. Kaiserman of Sharon Mass and the owner of 200 257 Russell Mills Road. Um this was previously heard by the board as well and Mr. Kman had requested an abatement for all water and sewer used by his tenant during the time that the tenant leased the property and had the utility bills placed in their name with a a

payment plan with the town pay off the water and sewer bills. Um the the tenant defaulted on the payment plan and was no longer living at the residence uh for the the last meeting and Mr. Kaiserman had reached out uh requesting the abatement.

The billing name change and payment plan process has been discussed with into departmentally as well as with the collective department and and now is only allowed with authorization from the property owner. It is it is noted that this was done by the tenant without authorization from the property owner.

Um, previously the board had requested additional information uh to confirm the date that the previous tenant entered into a payment plan with the town. That date was confirmed as December 4th, 2025.

The water and sewer bill uh at that time was in the amount of $525.89 when the tenant entered into the payment plan with the town. uh the property owner changed the account back between May 6th and June 15 uh 2026. The additional usage um during the payment plan amounted to $1,029.31 and the total bill uh that was requested um was that due is $1,55520.

And I believe Mr. Kaiserman also on.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, Mr. Kaisman. Do you have any comments?

Uh, no. I think uh Tim has summed it up there. you know the the snafoos I believe with the water should have been a shut off when it reached a point where you shut it off and uh secondly they shouldn't have been approved for a payment plan and thirdly the uh name for that payment plan should never have been in the tenants's name. So, those are the three those are the three issues. And uh

as I've stated previously, uh the water that went through the meter u I don't have a problem paying with. It's the them not having the water shut off at this December 4th date, I believe. Um is the issue.

Board members, any questions?

No. When you're ready to entertain, I'm ready to make a motion, Mr. Chairman.

If there are no further questions, I will entertain a motion.

I make a motion that we abate the difference between the amount that was owed uh when we entered into a payment agreement and we according to the property owner, we should have done a shut off and what the bill was at the end of that period. It's um unfortunate, but we we've made changes to our process since then. So, I my motion is that we abate that.

Tim, could you make sure could you uh repeat the amount we're talking about?

$1,29.31.

Okay. Thank you. Do I have a second?

I'll second it.

I have a motion by Mr. Aera and a second by Mr. Richie. Uh Mr. Greenlaw, how do you vote?

Uh yes.

Mr. Azinera.

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes. Chair votes yes. Uh the abatement in the amount of $1,29.31 is approved.

Okay. Uh new business a can I make this uh payable at the town within the next seven days or will it be ready today for payments?

Tim, do you have any idea?

Yes. Uh I would yeah probably within the next week uh we will send this abatement approved abatement to uh the the collector's office and to the water division to to make sure that everybody has it uh before you you do pay. So yes I would give it a week.

Thank you. Sorry I can we can reach out to you once everybody has the document.

Okay. Thank you. I appreciate your time everyone. Byebye.

Byebye.

All right. Uh, new business a approval pump station design contract amendment.

Tim, yes. So, so we had an original contract agreement um with Stantech for the initial 25% design of the pump station upgrades for the Ellswick and the RE6 pump stations. uh this is to provide capacity for the uh started for the for the 40B uh the preserve and uh and and it was designed with additional capacity for other uh development. Uh the original 25% design plan was was for $50,000 that agreement. And in

that initial agreement, there was a phase uh for an amendment after the 25% plan was was approved to move forward towards the 100% design and bidding and contract award.

That amend amendment was considered amendment one. uh which was previously approved by the board uh for the 100% design for building an award for $110,000.

So the uh the past contract was for $160,000 and the project was bid at that time and was not awarded because the bid came the bids came in higher than the funding.

So, we decided to go back uh split the bid with a base bid in the deductible alternate. So, we can rebid and if the bids came back at that time, more competitive and lower, we could we could approve if we had the the funding or if we didn't have the funding for both stations, we could choose to just move forward with the base bid, which is what we did. that additional work by by Stantech, including the

advertisement and and uh the processing of the updated stack and in the award included uh charges of $4,500.

So, this amendment is is is for the $4,500.

Board members, any questions?

uh do these fees get paid uh by the developer or is it uh just for the community?

So through the comprehensive permit for the 40B uh through zoning um a portion of the fees were agreed upon to be paid by the developer. So that was it was $50,000 towards the design and then um and it was $250,000 towards the construction to be paid. So So the 50,000 went towards the the initial 25% design and then the town paid for the rest of the design and um yeah.

Okay. Thank you board members. Any other questions?

Yeah just what are the I'm sorry, just curious, Tim. Uh the usage of of this the pump station upgrades.

Some of that serves the 40B, some serves the remainder of the community. Is is that the case?

That is the case. So, so the the original design uh you know back when we installed that sewer in uh 1999 um did not you know it wasn't designed for that type of concentrated flow from you know large residential uh projects. It was more for the commercial flow along Route 6. So it didn't have the capacity for that type of use. Um and through the design it was noted that there were

other developments being proposed uh in in other in in connections that hadn't been completed uh residential connections and commercial connections in that area. So they the design included the capacity for the preserve uh 40B and additional capacity for for additional developments and connections.

Tim, will um will the estimated capacity dealt with in this design deal with all the anticipated development uh in this area?

So it is it there is capacity uh designed for anything that's currently proposed.

um you know we can't we don't know the future but uh I I assume there will be additional you know developments proposed uh along this area as we have as we see a lot of change from commercial to to residential how would that additional demand be Matt,

I guess I should rephrase the question.

Should we should there be a um a for one of a better word a safety factor built into the capacity for future development?

Yeah, there currently is into that station. Um and you know there's also capacity of of the force mains and and the gravity mains and and the and the other pump station that this that this all goes into in the treatment facility.

So that's you know that's all going to be uh have take having another look taken uh through the comprehensive wastewater management plan and as we look at u you know forecasted use board members any questions?

No if not I'llain a motion to approve.

I just have one question Mr. Chairman um what was the estimate for construction?

And what did the bids come in at?

Uh the estimate was 2.1 million.

The bids came in the the combined bids came in at 3.4 million.

Thank you.

If there are no other questions, I'll entertain a motion to approve.

Make the motion we approve the the change honor of $4,500.

I will second that.

Motion by M Mr. Richie. Uh second by Mr.

Azner. Um Mr. Greenaw. How do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Azera?

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh next item under new business is B.

Approval of the Russell Mills landfill monitoring agreement. Tim, so this is our annual agreement with with CDM Smith um to analyze sampling and complete the state reporting for the CAP landfill. Uh also complete landfill and transfer station inspection and MCP evaluation um for the for the FY 27 year.

for 20,000 for $20,000 per year or membership group.

Uh can I just ask first uh how does this compare to previous years, Tim?

I'll check last year. I think it it's slightly higher than last year.

All

right.

All right. So, last year last year the contract amount was for $18,650.

Well, that's that increase is more than reasonable. So, yes.

Go ahead, Lee.

Make a motion to approve.

I have a motion by Mr. Aera. Do I have a second? Second second by Mr. Richie. Uh Mr. Green Lady vote yes.

Mr. Aznar.

Yes.

Mr. Richie.

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh next item is the annual bid uh highway phase 2 pavement milling.

Tim.

Yes. So we had previously uh denied all bids um for this pavement milling bid as we updated our milling specification um for micro millilling uh due to our paving.

So as as shown in the bid tabulation uh there were three bids uh for pavement milling uh for Gity Galler claiming rapidity fine grading and PJ Keing company PJ Keating submitted the lowest bid um and I recommend awarded by the FY27 annual bid for highway base 2 payment milling to PJ Keing board members any questions hearing none Uh, do I have a motion?

Some move.

Second.

Motion by Mr. Aera to approve. Do I have a second?

I'll second it.

Uh, second by Mr. Richie. Mr. Green, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Razer?

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh the next item is a hearing. So I will open the hearing to consider a tree removal request for 25 school street.

Tim.

Yes. So uh Mr. and Mrs. Mian have requested the approval to remove three public shade trees within the school street right away. the the three trees requested are uh two red and red cedar trees and and one white ash. Uh let you know on the ash tree, you know, we do have an issue with ash trees in the eastern ashbor. So removing the ash tree is is definitely um a recommendation.

Um, all three trees have grown from within the existing fieldstone wall on School Street in the property. Um, I so I do recommend approving the removal of the requested trees with an agreement to plant new trees uh within the rightway.

Board members, any questions?

I do have a plan if anybody would like me to share the plan.

So, one question. So, are they petitioning for us to remove them or do they want to remove them themselves?

We would we would remove them ourselves and we're not asking the town to do it.

Typically, uh the town wouldn't remove um public shade trees that are in good condition. All three of these trees are currently in in in decent condition.

Mr. question I have then doesn't this fall under the even though technically it technically doesn't it fall under the public shade tree act so have we advertised this as a public hearing we we have yes and and run in the was it two consecutive times in the no local newspaper yes okay just making sure we didn't reference the master law for the for the for the cha trees master chapter 87

It's also posted on the trees that they're the that they're were uh it's posted on the trees itself which is also required by MBL chapter 87.

Right. Correct.

Mr. Mian, do you have any u other comments for the board?

Um not other than the trees really to me look quite precarious. They're kind of growing up and around both ours and then al also other people's uh electric wires. One the ash in particular has been cut um really kind of in an odd way so that the wires can go in between the branches.

Um the the cedars also are to me I've taken photos. They're also hanging over over our electric wires and they're they look they're growing right in the middle of our stone wall. Um they're they clearly look like they were not purposefully planted but kind of planted there by a squirrel or a bird or some something else a 100 years ago.

I I drove Any other questions board members? I I would just say that I drove by it and look at the trees and that they're they're damaging the the stone wall, you know, the the big ash and the uh the two pines if if they ever trimmed them for uh to get them away from the wires, it'd be almost cutting them in half anyway.

So, uh I think they should come down.

Uh Tim, at what point would you develop an agreement for planting new trees? And second question, who would select the trees to minimize the amount of future problems?

Yeah we I could select a number of tree species that that could be planted uh anytime under under utility wires under under overhead utility wire for a slower growing and and less shallower height or lower height tree.

Mr. Mian, are you uh comfortable with that?

So, we would replace the three trees that are coming down with three other trees. Is that what's being asked of us?

Yes.

Yes. I'd like to be somewhat involved in the the selection of those trees. We've planted 21 uh 16 foot tall boxwoods along our tree along our property line there above the stone wall. I would like to have something that's not going to damage or make it so that those would not be able to grow properly either.

So, um yes, we agre absolutely we would agree to plant something that was kind of appropriate.

Board members, any other questions?

I'll uh close the hearing and can I ask a question? Certainly, Mr.

Hero.

I just wondered would the stumps be grounded grind ground down as well and then that shoulder would just be grass.

No, they're they're growing inside of my stone wall.

I know that. But I mean the trees are in front of your stone wall and I wondered if the stump, you know, where would the stump be cut and would it be ground a little bit down so that you don't see the stump? And then I have a follow-up question. And you know, I guess this hasn't been decided, but where the new trees would be planted along the street

and do they need to be planted on that southerntherly side of the street or is there more room away from the wires on the other side of the street?

I'm trying to learn a little bit about this because at the corner of Fremont and High Street, there were some trees that were recently cut down by Jake Deir's on behalf of Peter Van Holand.

And I wondered if that required a public hearing or if that was just done without a public hearing and how this all works in the town.

So any time Yeah. Go ahead, Tim. Sorry. Sorry.

Anytime a a public shade tree is is requested to be removed, um if if there is no disease or or any reason that the tree should come down or safety issues, then that requires a public hearing for the removal of those trees.

Okay.

To answer your question, yes, we would it kind of it it is growing inside of what is I believe to be our stone wall.

And we would grind out those stumps enough to make our stone wall be, you know, attractive and um and in solid structural form.

Okay. No, that that's fine. And I agree with you. When you have a street, a wall along the street, typically the face of the wall is the right of way line. If it's a wall between two private property owners, the wall, this the property line tends to be the center of the wall. So, I think I would agree with you that you own the wall, but I just wanted to make

sure it was going to be both look attractive, but also there's no sidewalk along there. And if you want to get off the road, you know, it just be nice if the shoulders could be maintained as um you know, a little bit uh just attractive. Yeah, I like your idea of not having the trees growing underneath the even if you plant something small. I I'm assuming somebody else 50 years down the road is going to

deal with the same situation, having trees grow up and beyond the utility wires, which is it. I mean, we've had plenty of times that that's happened or trees are falling on and we're out of power and it's it's it's a real nuisance.

Yeah, that's I guess sorry, Mr.

Chairman, but I was going to say that along school street and along a lot of our streets in Peyton Arum, you know, if people want to take down a tree for, you know, various reasons and sometimes it's sight distance, sometimes it's power lines there. you know, if you're going to replace trees, that's a great idea.

You know, one one sounds like a fair deal, but there's um on the street that I live, the east side is a better side of the street to put trees, and there's a need for a few.

But so, if you're going to take down a tree on the west side of our street, you I would recommend that that they be flexible enough to allow the tree replacement to be placed on either side of the street. whatever the applicant, the town, everyone agrees is going to be the most um you know useful in terms of a shade tree and to look make the the right of way um look attractive.

Tim, do you know if the uh ownership on the other side of the street is such that there's room for trees?

I don't but we can definitely work uh work with that um with with the additional plantings. Absolutely. And u we work we also work with source on you know recommended plantings uh around overhead utility lines so so they don't impact as as much as as some of the other street trees have um including this ash tree.

But we we can definitely look at both sides of the road uh and some you know aesthetic planting.

M may I um comment also?

Excuse me just a minute. Um I have a a procedural detail I need to deal with.

Um Mr. Hero, are you speaking as a member of the public?

Yes.

Yes. Okay. So, we're going to open the hearing to public comment. Mr. Bear.

Yes.

I just want to say also that my address is 25 High Street. My name is Alan Peru for the record.

Okay. Uh I uh I saw Mr. Bear. You wanted to make a comment.

Yeah. Thank you. Uh could you state your name and address, please?

Uh my name is Mark Bear and my wife and I live at 72 High Street. And uh I think our concern uh is the same as Allen's which is um loss of canopy and we understand um the hazards of trees getting tangled up in the wires and um we've we've taken a look at these trees.

I can see that uh it appears that the cedar trees are sort of jeopardizing those wires. They don't look like they're so healthy. I can understand why they'd be removed. I think the asht tree, however, and maybe I'm mistaken, but I think the asht tree trunk has grown up beyond the wires, and so it's providing a canopy above the wires. And so we're uh we would we'd be distressed

to see a loss of more canopy in in the town.

So I would say u Mr. bear that that ash tree, most of it is hanging over my property, which we would trim up. And we're going to end up with really just about one big stump standing, you know, up if if if we trim the tree the way that we'd like to see it trimmed so that the plantings that we have in our yard are able to better survive and get the sun that they need. Um,

I'm I'm happy to provide photos or or do whatever that you know you you'd need to kind of see what I'm talking about, but there's not a whole lot that hangs over the street. I think it's one one large branch.

Thank you, Miss Mi Miss Mi. Uh Tim, uh as part of any any motion, if uh if the board is disposed to approve this, um can you come back to the board with an information item uh regarding the planting of replacement trees?

Yes, absolutely.

Okay. and and it would be um looking at both uh alternatives that would um involve both sides of the street.

Yeah.

And then and then a recommendation as to what you would uh recommend.

I agree with that.

Okay.

So, who's paying for the trees that need to be replanted?

That would be the property owner.

Mr. Chairman, uh, I see a request to speak. Could you identify yourself and, um, your address, please?

Yes. Uh, good morning. My name is Lynn Carol. My husband, Tim Safford, and I are the owners of the property at 24 School Street. So, we are immediately across from the three trees that we're discussing today.

I want to speak uh first to say that we are supportive of this particular um suggestion and I agree with the neans with the issues. I would point out that the trees are not only a concern with respect to the wires but with their current size potentially puts our home at risk should they come down um all or part of them come down in storm. So that's been a concern of of ours for

some time and I agree that to reduce the size of the trees to minimize or eliminate that risk would essentially um mean that the trees, you know, are no longer serving the canopy purpose that was discussed earlier. Um, as we are the residents on the other side of the street looking at our property, um, I don't think that you would find that there's room to put equivalent, you know, trees that would grow to the same

side and provide canopy. We already have plantings um, on our side of the street.

Uh further up um the route on on um on School Street is the porch entrance, a set of steps and entrance to our home.

Um we already have landscaped um perennials very relatively close to the street. So we would very much think that that's not really a viable option if it stays in what is approved. a consideration of that. We would very much want to be a part of that um discussion. Thank you.

Uh if there are no other public comments, uh I'll close the public comment period. Uh board members, do you have any uh excuse me, do you have any comments or questions?

Mr. Chairman, uh in lie of uh comments and also the fact and that we need to figure out where the new trees are going, would you entertain a motion to postpone a formal vote until next meeting when we have a uh plan showing the location types of trees to be planted in L the ones to be removed?

Tim, could you get that information to us by our next hearing?

Yes, I can.

All right. And then, um, because this request is part of a construction project. Um, Miss Mi, do you know whether a one-mon delay will be a significant problem from your from the perspective of your project?

Um it yeah it's cumbersome it for for us to to delay. I it seems it it's it seems to me like there it should not be a um yeah it is it is cumbersome. It's it's it's a hardship.

we'd like to get going on what it is we'd like to do and um it just continues to delay as the season to do what we'd like to do for construction is the season's slipping slipping.

Mr. Azier, do you see a um a path forward that uh bifurcates the approval of rem removal of the trees um and then brings the um question of where the trees are planted and what sort of trees uh back to us is a separate item.

Well, I guess I haven't looked at read the bylaw um in a few years. Tim, are you comfortable that th this meets the intent of the of the master law and the uh public shade tree bylaw regardless of whether the trees were planted or not?

They're now considered public shade trees. So, are you comfortable that this that uh removing these meets the intent of the bylaw?

I am uh you know all three trees uh or at least two of the the larger trees are you know supposeding damage to the stone wall. Um like I said the ash tree has been heavily trimmed um and they're susceptible to each and a bore um damage. So I can I can look at that as well to see if there has been any damage um by any any other beetles.

and the the smaller cedar um will eventually damage the stone wall as well um because it's right on the face of the stone wall growing out of the face. Um so I I I don't see an issue um with bringing uh new plantings out away from the stone wall and whether they're on the other side of the street or even on Pleasant Street. uh you know so I think we can be

um you know work with the residents and and have some uh attractive plantings uh to replace the uh the three trees.

How about the caliper? How what um size do we usually require?

Uh we we typically require a two or two and a half inch.

Okay, board members, any other questions?

No.

Uh, I will entertain a motion.

I'll make a motion that we approve the removal of the trees um that are specified and that the uh Tim work with the the property owner for the replacement of the three trees uh for both the uh type of tree and the uh placement of those trees.

I have a motion by Mr. Richie. Do I have a second?

Second.

Second by Mr. Greenlaw. Mr. Mr. Green Law, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Ainera, yes.

Mr. Richie, yes.

Chair votes yes. Um the item is approved. Uh the next item is another hearing uh for a moratorum street disturbance request. Um I'll open the hearing. Uh Tim, could you describe the request, please? Yes. Um and I just I just wanted to thank the public for their comments on that as well. You know, we want to work with with all the public, you know, when we when we deal with these street trees. Um

but this is also a request from Mr. and Mrs. M of 25 School Street. Uh they have requested to permission to disturb Pleasant Street to install natural gas and water utilities um from Pleasant Street into their property for uh new construction.

Uh, Pleasant Street was last paved on September 26th of 2023 and is currently under moratorum from any disturbances until September 26th of 2030.

Um, I will share um plan on this.

Are there any members of the public that wish to comment?

Hearing none. Board members, any questions?

My assume that they're only going to be cutting the edge of the asphalt.

So, can you see this plan?

Yep.

Okay. So zoom in a little bit.

So this area right here that shows uh a water service and gas service is where they're proposing uh to cut and install the utilities into this property.

They uh the applicant is uh proposing to in this plan. Looks like cut and mill the pavement from the driveway to uh the intersection and repave that section. Unless the board would like a a larger area to be repaved.

Is this concern the town policy on disturbance of a street within a certain amount of time after it's been repaved?

Yeah. So, this street was a 7-year moratorum. So, so the moratorum will expire in September 26th of 2030 for many disturbances.

Are there any sidewalks involved?

No, there are not. The shoulder are grass in this area.

So, this would would this cross the entire Pleasant Street or only a portion of it?

I believe we proposed doing 75 feet.

And is that does that cross the street at 90 degrees or is it along the uh along the rightway?

Tim, the um the proposed utilities are looks like the gas goes about 50% across the street and then the water goes probably about 80% across the street.

And the gas line the gas the gas the gas line's about halfway across the street and then the water is about 3/4.

Uh Tim, how much traffic is there on Pleasant Street?

I'm not 100% sure.

I mean, is it heavily traveled or lightly traveled or what areas does it serve generally?

I would say there's a lot of residential neighborhoods in the in the uh village area. Um so probably, you know, peak volumes during morning and and evening commutes, but but through the day is probably pretty light.

I'm not I don't have the any numbers for traffic.

Okay. Um, if there are no more questions for the board, I'll open the uh hearing to public comment. Miss man, and I just wanted to uh comment I believe Miss Mean uh you you might want to state your proposal again. Uh we had proposed um because of the moratorum on not cutting since it was repaved going 75 feet re you doing a um cutting the grinding down whatever we needed to do to put resurface the street

so that it was back to so there would be one seam but it was 75 feet. It wouldn't be just a bump in the road where you cut five or 10 feet to do the gas and water line.

Is that what you were asking? Is that that that's what we were proposing?

I think um this is uh this is Greg Nicholas. Can I comment on this?

Uh Mr. Nicholas, are you a member of the public or do you work with Mrs. Mian?

I work with Mrs. Mian. I'm on part of the engineers that developed this plan.

Yes. Please, if you could identify yourself and your company, please.

Sure. Greg Nicholas of South Coast Engineering on behalf of Sarah and John Me and for their project. Um, the one thing that I would state to the board is that my recommendation would be if this is to be considered would be to begin at the joint at the intersection of School and Pleasant Street. That joint as it is right now is somewhat questionable.

There's weeds and whatnot growing up through it. So, I recommend with a cut there, installing a new joint, then traveling in a southern direction down along Pleasant Street, um 75 ft or as far as the board would recommend it has to be done in order to achieve, you know, uh as seamless a transition as possible. Um, I worked for Mass COT for 38 years and and I've seen some contractors that can

do this and do a wonderful job and you don't know anything's there and then the same contractor with a different crew has a bad day. So, as far as in your experience and I'll defer, like I said, I defer to the board and Tim Barber as far south as that's necessary to achieve what we're looking to achieve. Thank you.

Board members, any questions? Yeah, I have a a question for Tim.

Uh, do you have a a minimum time uh that's required before you put a new top course on the road to uh make sure you get all the settlement in the trenches before the new paving takes place?

So typically uh we do require controlled density fill uh for all utilities except for Eversource gas will not use controlled density fill. Um so anytime a gas is installed we require we we allow for a year of settlement um before we install it a surface course Tim although they b at it you can require them to do the compaction tests.

Yes real compaction tests not the old method.

Absolutely.

Nuclear density gauge.

Yeah.

Yes. We work with uh we do work with consultant that does deep compaction testing.

Okay.

And I'm sure uh uh Mr. Nichols does as well.

Yeah, that's correct.

All right. If there are no other questions from the board, I'll open it to any members of the public that want to comment.

I see no one wanting to comment. Um, with that, I'll close the public hearing and bring it back to the board. Uh Tim, we've had some requests that are somewhat similar to this in the past and uh the board was not supportive of these requests.

Why is this different? Why should we look at this differently?

So, I've never had a a request where um the applicant proposed to pave, you know, at least 75% of of the road to to not have a defined trench in the road for a road cut.

So, that that's the only difference here.

And there's no sidewalk involved.

No. So I'm going to share another screen.

So can you see that screen?

Yes.

So this is uh the green outline area is the man's property. They're they are fronted on Pleasant Street is 100 ft. Um they're proposing to pave 75 feet of that.

Um and uh show

this is the section of Pleasant Street here showing this. Obviously this is an older section photo of the road that the road is still paved now. Um but they are proposing this beam here and 75 ft in this direction.

There are grass shoulders on both sides of the road currently.

Board members, any other questions?

I guess more as a comment. I guess if this is something new for the board, I mean preferred would be intersection to intersection, but I would say as a minimum, it should be at least the whole frontage of the property, but preferred will be from the uh from one intersection to the other.

But I'll leave it to the uh being new on this on this board, I'll leave it to the board see what your disposition is.

Yeah, the full the full um dimension from I think one intersection to the next intersection is about probably about 190 ft. I mean 290 ft.

And Mr. Ezner, you were suggesting from the corner to the ed the property line if I heard you correctly. Like I said preferably would be inter session then the session but as a minimum at least go from the existing scene that was described by the uh engineer for the proponent to the edge of their property line that that would be what I would consider minimal but I would I would prefer to see

intersection to intersection.

And would it also be possible to require that they infrared the two joints so that those joints don't uh pop up two years later as a problem?

All right. Any other questions, board members?

With that, I'll close the hearing and bring the question back to the uh board.

Uh do I have a motion?

Uh Tim, if the board does not approve the request, uh what is the practical effect?

Um without water service, they most likely cannot build a dwelling. Um it had been originally um recommended for them to research u installing a private well for water and they can speak to this as well. I'm sure we we did do some research into the well. I think Mr. Nichols can uh speak to it a little better. the Yes. Um, again, Greg Nicholas, South Coast Engineering. Um, I consulted with

uh the board of health and diamonds regarding the feasibility of a well on that site. And I became aware that there are two D hot sites in the area where they had pollution. one of which is um closer to sailoff and the other one is a little bit further down on Bridge Street where this would be a concern about getting um portable water. Um not saying that's uh it would be impossible, but it

may necessitate a very extensive type of treatment and prolonged testing. Um the board of health didn't shut it down and say no, no way. Uh but they did say it would not be, you know, put a well and get it tested and you run your own way. There'd be some um there'd be some hurdles that have to be addressed before that would be a feasible option.

Mian, uh is the property now served with town water and uh natural gas?

It is.

Uh is there a technical problem with ex uh increasing the service to uh any new structures?

What um is there perhaps your perhaps your engineer could um answer that?

We have one service that comes into 25 school street but we've taken off a lot.

So you can't um the DPW has does not allow for there to be like a Y off of that uh you know that main water line that comes into and also the gas company does not allow you to kind of branch off either. That's it's I I don't know why but that's the rule.

That's correct. Um regarding the water, I got that from Paul Dart. says it's not allowed to have a single service branch to a Y and a gas company essentially the same thing. We investigated both options.

Is this a fully new dwelling or is this an ADU?

It is a fully new dwelling.

Okay.

If I may, the existing service size for 25 uh school street is a 3/4 inch domestic copper service.

Board members, any other comments? Just to uh make sure I'm understanding correctly, uh the proposal uh is to repave the the the street for a distance of 75 ft for the total width of the street. Am I correct?

Yes.

Yes. Okay.

Thank you.

Board members, do I have a motion to approve?

I'll make a motion that we approve the request uh based upon the the fact that they're going to repave the entire street the for the length of the 75 ft from the original cut. Um I and also if they take off whatever I'm not I'm not a street guy but uh the infrared or whatever makes that joint uh the strongest uh that you can in that pos in that place.

Do I have a second?

Mr. Chairman, before we have a second, could I ask a question of uh Tim?

Yes.

uh is are we setting a precedent with this? Is a board similar conditions because this pretty much seems like we're throwing the moratorium out the window.

So historically, um there have been approvals for water connections. I I don't recall any any approvals for just gas because there are alternatives sources of fuel. Um but when when there are water, I have seen um approvals uh during a moratorium to connect to water.

And Tim, do you recall whether those uh moratoriums included paving the entire width of the street or just the the uh actual trench?

Um larger area than the trench I recall, but but not of this distance was ever proposed or approved.

Any other questions, board members?

All right, we have a motion on the floor. Do I have a second?

The chair will second for the u purpose of moving the item along. Um, we have a motion by m Mr. Richie, a uh second by the chair. U Mr. Green Law, how do you vote?

Yes, Mr. Aera.

No, Mr. Richie.

Yes.

Chair votes yes. The item is approved.

Um Tim, if um you're able to extend the paved area to the uh the edge of the property line.

that would address one issue or partially address one issue uh that was raised during the discussion if you could explore that with the applicant and the applicant's u engineer.

Um should we ask now during the meeting if they would be amenable for that?

Well, I think I think they're going to have to look at the economics of it and um overall, but I think you've got an approval for the proposed disturbance.

If you can make it better, good.

Thank you.

We'll do.

Thank you.

Um we have an executive session item uh today and I want to take it out of order if I could.

uh so that the people that need to be part of the executive session can uh participate.

Um, so board members with uh, excuse me, I want to close the hearing on um,

want to propose the hearing u, close the hearing on tree removal on except 25 school street and uh the moratorum request on Pleasant Street. Um with that uh board members with your concurrence uh I'd like to uh adjourn our regular meeting with the understanding we will come back after the executive session.

Um so do I have a motion to adjourn to executive session? So moved. Second. Second motion by Mr. Aierra, second by Mr.

Richie. Mr. Greenaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Ainiera.

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Chair votes yes. All right. With that, we will um we will go into executive session under Mass General Laws chapter 30A section 21 to conduct strategy sessions in prepare preparation for non-union personnel uh in particular the DPW director

Sure.

Uh why don't we take a 15minute recess?

Would that work for you?

Oh, that's more than enough.

Okay. Uh we we will take a 15minute recess and reconvene at uh 10:00.

Thank you.

Okay, it's 10:00. Um, all the board members are back and I'd like to reconvene uh our meeting of Thursday, 24, 2026. Uh, I'm sorry. Thursday, September 24th 2026 and we are in the portion of our agenda, new business F, approval of the Dartmouth comprehensive wastewater management plan agreement with Tyen Bond. Tim, are you with us?

Yes, I am.

Okay.

You want to introduce this, please?

Sure.

So for the um so going back we had we had issued um RFQS for the uh for the proposal and scope of the comprehensive wave water management plan uh for the wastewater water pollution control uh facility and further request of the board after we received um the bid and and and chose um after we received the qualifications um moved to the next phase uh requested scope and fee. Uh based on the on the

feed submitted uh the board requested an independent fee evaluation be completed.

Um so we went out and hired a company for an independent fee evaluation. They turned it around uh pretty quickly. um and submitted a report with their estimated fee being about 9.25% 25% lower than tying bonds which which is within the the the 10% threshold um um the due to the uh you know are after reviewing the independent fee evaluation comparing it to the the scope and and plan submitted by Tai and Bond Mr.

Addison had a few questions uh for uh regarding um some of the items in and comparison between the if and bond scope. Um so I had met with Tai Bon and requested uh that they attend this meeting and they have and they are here today.

I believe Natalie and James are here with us.

Good morning.

Good morning. Could you identify yourself please?

Yes. I'm Natalie Ksky. I'm with Tyen Bond. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and the board for having us.

And uh I'm James Diamond. I'm also with Ty Bond. Thank you for your time.

All right. Uh, Mr. Green Law. Yes. Tim indicated you had a couple of questions.

I did.

Tim, did did you uh share my comments with Tyen Bond?

Absolutely. Yes, I did.

Okay. That makes things easier so I don't have to dig too deep.

uh and you know so the comments were developed just from directly going from the RFQ that you issued to their response uh and maybe some of U so that's what the comparison came up with some of the information was a little either difficult to find or I didn't find that it existed. So I thought it and and in one case a a really significant amount of of cost difference from uh the

independent review and and Diane Bond's uh response. Um, I mean, I I think I know where a lot of it is going, but I' I'd like to hear from them. I most especially I think item number six.

Yeah, we we can start with item six if that's okay.

I I I think that's Yeah, probably the place Yeah. That's most important. Now just and I and before uh before we move should I uh share the if uh it was in the package.

It was Yes.

Yeah. I I think unless we need uh some graphics I think it's okay just to continue the discussion.

Thank you.

So um really quick on on task six and I I do I do understand the question. Um so what I'll say too is the RFQ itself is is is relatively prescriptive but there is overlap on u certain tasks you know and primarily the the difference for task six is task four included modeling and we have our modeling the biggest difference is we have our modeling and evaluation under the alternatives

analysis because that's when we're going to do it. as we look at alternatives, we're going to be doing a lot of the modeling to to confirm performance, right?

And and I think I made a note.

Yep.

And and just maybe to make it quicker for me.

Yeah. The feeling I got from your response to that item is you're really heavily involved in trying to find alternative methods.

Yes, we are absolutely we're hands-on onsite looking for ways to improve the facility, implement necessary improvements in cost-effective manners.

So, we do we do um that's where the rubber meets the road. um as far as the the process evaluation goes, right? But it it also occurred appeared to me that uh a lot of the alternative stuff away from the main treatment site.

Well, and there are some um there are some alter like for example, we do have to look at decentralized treatment um for for the sewer sheds. So that's that that's that's true as well. But the but the modeling effort um outlined in task four a lot of that is is is actually going to occur in task six.

Okay.

And then also what we found on similar project the reason what drives is driving the c cost is kind of the concept development in the alternatives that cost estimating is time consuming and you know we're going to try to for each alternative have either schematics or you know planning level record drawings which just drives up the cost from in that task what we found on similar projects.

All right. Well, that that I think as far as item six goes, I I I see where you were going. I kind of thought that was the case. Uh so the only other real question I had I I guess and and it looked like the the earlier tasks a lot of that was the same thing that they the costs for certain things belonged elsewhere. So, uh, I was able

to kind of fish most of that out. The only thing I didn't see answered was, uh, the cost of phased construction.

Uh, that that was a question that came up in the RFQ.

Uh, yeah. So phased construction is is these these pro it's inherent to the work and I will say that it is included in our cost estimate. Um to do anything at this facility we have to maintain permit compliance. So um every you know virtually everything we propose is going to be phased in some manner with the with the town. You know we're going to have to figure out you know capital

outlay what we can afford and then the cost to do the work. for example, if to to do improvements to, for example, the headworks, we're going to have to bypass um things like that. So, we do we do take phase construction is part of um it's inherent to the to the work. So, we we we do have that included.

Okay.

They that's all I needed to know.

Oh, appreciate. uh in in the overall I I I I really enjoyed reading through your proposal. It's it's Thank you.

Well done. And I just, you know, some of the obvious stuff I felt I just I needed a little comfort.

And uh if I may, um Natalie you do you also want to mention the overlap of some of the other projects we're working on?

Yep.

with our new board members.

Yes. Yes. And this answers uh kind of the questions and the comments on like task one and task three of kind of the disparity between the if right now uh we are under contract and are um doing an asset management plan which covers parts of the CWMP. So in kind of task one and task three where we didn't where we alluded to the AM we are already under contract to do kind of the capital

improvement plan we're doing the uh condition assessments of all the pump stations uh already under the asset management plan so that overlaps. So that answers a lot of the uh comments on task one of like records review. We are also under contract right now to do a water quality study. So we are under that contract doing much more of a uh look at the townwide water quality impacts what's currently being um

collected for water quality samples and doing like subbasin profiles. So that is being handled under another contract. So we you know obviously don't want to include it in two places because we're already um conducting it.

Understood. I wasn't I wasn't aware of of those tasks already being worked on under another contract. So that's where the question came from.

Right. Board members, any other questions on this item?

No.

Just the only question I have, Mr.

Chairman, is on the uh contract. Has uh contract this size. Have we had legal look at it or is that do we usually have legal look at a contract this size or not? The language we that was actually going to be my next question is does the town not have a uh professional services standard contract that we use when we're looking to employ these people? or do we simply sign away on their terms and conditions,

which being from the construction field, I I I'm nervous about that.

So, if if if anyone has any questions on term conditions, um we're definitely um we can look at that. Uh we haven't typically used council in the past uh that I know of for reviewing contracts, but if that's a request of the board, we can I think it would be wise. I and I'm surprised we don't have our own standard contracts in place so that we already know the answers. I mean, typically,

uh, the guy with the money is the one that gets to dictate the terms and conditions, right? And typically, if we're uh bidding, uh, an actual like construction job or or we're we're putting the bid out uh for for work, we will include uh terms and conditions.

But but typically when we contract with consultants uh we would agree on their conditions as long as we agree on and then it probably something of the this is a pretty substantial uh piece of work. I would think it ought to be reviewed uh both by legal and by also by our insurance carrier.

I would say legal. Uh, our insurance carriers usually don't get into that.

Well, they're going to have to provide a certificate of insurance. I would assume that's correct. Yep.

Board members, is there um interest in asking the town council to look at the contract and um approve it as to form?

Yes.

Okay.

I I I agree. Yes.

Yes.

All right. So, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I just like to for the abund ab abundance of caution, I will be abstaining from a final vote on this.

Since my son works for Tyen Bond, I don't believe you'll be working on this, but because of the size of the contract, I just don't want to be uh taking participating in a formal vote.

Understood. I think it's good to uh avoid any appearance of potential conflict of interest. Thank you for that. Thanks, Lee.

Um, Tim, do you have any idea of what kind of turnaround a review by town council would have? This looks like uh four pages of terms and conditions.

Uh, I don't have a timeline. I know depends on how busy they are. um currently and I know they're working on top meeting uh stuff, but I can I can work with the town administrator to see if we can expedite and and so how quickly do you want to put this in place too, Tim? That that's um we time is of the essence.

Absolutely.

So, so this is a this is approximately an 18month uh plan.

So, so you know from from when we when we signed this we're a year and a half out from from the final report of recommendations. So, we're looking we're looking to move on this as soon as as soon as we can.

So, is is there a way if we can get a review done quickly that we can get back together and decide, you know, rather than wait until the next scheduled meeting, I can I can schedule an interim meeting.

Um absolutely.

because I I certainly don't want to, you know, see things create big delays here.

I, like I said, I I think the proposal is a very good comprehensive proposal and understanding what our situation is.

I I think it's helpful that they understand what the town's situation is.

So, and and it shows up in their proposal. So, uh, yeah, I don't I don't want to see any big delays like to get it moving.

Mr. chairman and if you try and expedite this, I believe the the board could take a vote subject to uh any comments by town council being addressed prior to execution.

Board members, that um that alternative occurred to me as well. Uh, in other words, the motion would be to approve the contract, authorize the director to sign the contract um, contingent upon approval of the terms and conditions by town council.

Does that satisfy you?

Tim, can you do that?

Yes.

All right.

board members. Uh do I have a motion to approve?

I'll make a motion to approve based upon the uh town council's uh approval of terms and conditions and authorize the uh department head to uh execute the contract upon that approval.

Correct. Yes.

Okay. Uh do I have a second?

Second.

Uh, Mr. Green, uh, have a a um motion by Mr. Richie, approval by M. Uh, second by Mr. Green Law. Uh, Mr. Greenlaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Chair votes? Yes. Um, item is approved contingent on uh, town council accepting the terms and conditions.

Mr. Mr. Chairman, uh, I should go, you should put me on the record as abstaining.

Uh, m for the record, Mr. Aziera has abstained from the vote.

All right. Anything else on this item?

Not at the moment.

All right. The next item is G, approval of Bridge Street improvement design agreement with TEC for $150,000. Tim, and thank you, James and Natalie.

Thank you. Thank you. Thanks everyone.

Thank you for your time.

All right, go back.

Okay, so moving forward. Um, so we were awarded a an a complete streets award grant from the state for $150,000.

Um and we're working with uh TEC the engineering company to this will uh to design or to finish the survey and design that the town has started. This will allow us to enter into an agreement with with GEC to complete that work and through the 100% design and bidding process uh required by the state uh for the bridge street improvement. Uh this will be designed uh this will be funded

completely by the complete streets grant um the contracted for $150,000 and the and the improvements include include uh pedestrian active sidewalk improvements uh ADA compliance uh curbing improvements and and and roadway improvements.

Board members, any questions?

Then did you say they're also paying for the design? Complete streets that Yeah. Complete streets is paying for the to finalize the design. Yes.

And the and they have the money aside for uh construction.

That is what we have to apply for that after the design.

Okay.

In the next round of funding.

Thank you. Tim, what can you be a little more specific about um which section of Bridge Street?

This includes the section from Elm Street to Middle Street.

Okay. So, this is up past the new uh fire station.

Correct. Yes.

And it does not include the section down toward the bridge.

It does not.

We we had in the past we had reconstructed and improved those that area.

All right. Board members, any other questions?

No.

Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

A motion by Mr. Azner. Second.

Second.

Second by Mr. Richie. Mr. Green, how do you vote?

Yes. Mr. Richie, yes.

Mr. Aera, yes.

Chair votes yes. Item is approved. Uh, next is a presentation for the smart program.

Uh, I think I saw Miss Silva here. Oh, yeah.

Miss Silva, are you ready to make that presentation?

Mr. me. I'll I can present it. Uh but and uh and then Miss Silva can answer any questions or or comments. Is that okay?

All righty. Go ahead.

So, Miss Silva put this together. Um it's a solid waste rate study uh for the board of public works. Um this is typically um you know the rate rates are typically um approved going into fiscal year. Um but there are other considerations in in the study uh that we're looking at. Um so we're looking at sustainable services, investing in our future, deploying our community, and building long-term stability.

So, can you still see that? Does that work?

That's So, looking at our FY26 revenue, uh, 2.45 four or five million dollars. Um, and compared to our FY26 expenditures of 2.19 million um, and we have an FY26 ending balance of 367,000.

Our FY27 through FY36 capital is 6.64 million.

And this was adjusted. Uh we had a higher capital uh really aggressive capital plan moving forward. Um especially with the uh impending, you know, electric electrification of of heavy duty vehicles um and upgrades at the facility. Uh for that our capital was was pretty high. So, we we actually moved some of that out further and and chose a less aggressive capital that's in our capital plan. Um

so, so we could make this fund work a little better. Um what is the board balancing the fund to fund the capital plan without exhausting totally exhausting retained earnings? Keeping rate changes understandable, manageable for residents. Improve uh construction and demolition and uh municipal solid waste tipping fee cost recovery as the disposal costs continue to rise and choose whether to build reserves sooner

or fade increases gradually.

Um so looking at what the rate needs at the port for you know obviously the the operational budget and then and then our capital you know we have what I mentioned electric replacement collection vehicles uh we have trans transfer station upgrades and equipment upgrades that are ongoing. Um below here we have our this is our adjusted capital uh through FY36.

um choosing a less aggressive approach uh to to ease the rates for the residents.

We have two options currently. Um option one sustainability first builds revenue earlier and most consistently to absorb capital. Option two is resident friendlia stag is small increases and is most palatable for resident facing path.

Option one here shows uh the more aggressive approach uh but uh has consistent rate increases uh annually uh through FY36.

Um small bag uh period bag increases plus um earlier construction and demolition increases.

This include FY36 pending balance of 2.79 million, zero deficit years uh with the half of the capital that we have adjusted and the FY36 annual result of 120,000.

Moving to op option two which would be uh more palatable for for our uses our residents and the program um uses small or less frequent smart increases. So if you see down in the chocolo uh FY27 and FY28 would remain the same and then FY31 32 would remain the same. So similar um stag as the bag increases over longer periods as well. Um and um we still have smaller uh but we

still have increases in construction and tipping fee, but they're smaller increases.

This uh ends our FY36 ending balance at 1.04 million. Uh at the capital, it shows 50 years of deficit um the later years and then negative 100,000 uh annual result at the capital.

So this these two graphs uh depict option one in blue and option two in orange showing showing the the fund uh continue to increase through FY36 u for option one and we're option two after FY30 uh starts to decrease with the amount of capital that we have programmed um currently All right. You know, we're we're paying more to dispose of our CND.

Um and and this is mostly due to um the where we used to take our CND had a had a large fire and they're not they're not open anymore. They are they have worked on rehabilitating the building. Uh but they're still not open. So, we're bringing our we're we're hauling our our CND waste elsewhere for the time being.

So we're paying uh it's projected at $260 per ton. Uh we're currently charging our residents $1995 a ton. So there is a loss there. U the rates you know need to increase it to cover the overall disposal costs.

Um or we can you know we can increase the tipping fees to take care of that.

fine-tuning the rate once we have a better idea on actual CNG loads will also will also help with the with the exact rate configuration and here how much cushion do we want for the capital plan and how quickly should should residents get there

Board members, any questions?

Other the rates have already been established for FY27, right?

Yes. Yep.

So the the Yeah, the smart program rates have been set by FY27. We have uh in the past adjusted some of our other rates like our our tipping fee for construction and demolition as we see increases um as when we're disposing um as well as the mun municipal uh solid waste.

Uh Tim, how uh how do our disposal rates compared to other communities in the region?

And let me share.

Okay. Can everybody see this?

Increase it.

So small.

So, uh, Brandy worked on, um, looking at a number of of a municipalities in in their costs and which which are all over, uh, and very variable. Um you see here from pickup costs going through there are you know we currently charge $140 um with the bags at $6 for small bags for a five pack and $12 for a five pack of large bags.

You can see most of the bag costs here are a bit higher than ours.

And some of the some of the communities don't charge uh for curbside pickup.

And looks like they range from 0 to 100 to $440 for the curbside pickup.

Looks like um even Auburn has a range from 232 to $1,376

trans. They also, you know, we looked at transfer station fees. So, there are some transfer station fees. Uh, some have day day passes only. Um, some charge uh I guess a tiered fee.

Can you indicate generally speaking whether the typical residents resident um pays more or less or somewhere in the range of the neighborhoods uh the communities around here for it their annual waste disposal cost.

If I may, we we do Dartmouth does pay roughly in the middle of all the communities I looked at. I looked at the surrounding communities and also additional about 15 communities of similar size to Dartmouth and we pay about right in the middle.

But our C and D is unfortunately severely undervalued at the moment because as you saw we are in deficits.

We're paying we're being charged 195 but we're being charged 263 rather and but we're only charging 195. So that is going to cause some issues down the line.

What percentage of the CND loads are uh commercial versus residential?

In other words, who's paying for that?

We don't we don't allow commercial CND disposal at our facility.

It's only residential.

That's still a good service. A lot of communities don't don't even provide that to the town at all.

So, so thank you, Lee. Um, if you look in this DND column, uh, that also compares some of the communities uh, DND acceptance. Uh, as you see, there are quite a few communities that do not offer uh, DND disposal.

Um there are a few in the uh 100 ton to it's like 340 ton uh $30040 per ton for disposal. Um so it's it's quite the range. Um some based on vehicle size for load. So, you know, if you're looking at just residential, uh, if they don't allow trailers or anything like that, you know, they might get smaller smaller loads. Uh, they have some geared fees. Uh, we have $20 plus or $50 plus.

Board members, any other questions?

All right. This item was um listed for a as a presentation.

Yeah.

Tim, when do you expect to bring a choice of uh of either options or alternatives back to us?

So, as our next item, I we have a interest station tipping fee, right? And that's a that's a small part of correct smart program.

Yeah. So, so, uh, you know, we're looking to see if if if the board has any comments. Um, it's on on the presentation and on the on the slot program. Um, you can continue to look at it. Um, if you if you if you're looking at other alternatives or if you have any any other requests for us to compare, uh, let us know and and we'll work on that. And and this will typically our

smart program rates will be discussed for, uh, fiscal 28.

That would happen sometime several months out. Is that correct?

Yes. Okay.

Board members, how many Go ahead.

How many tons How many tons of CND do we process a year?

Randy, do you have that information on the I don't have it off the top of my head, but I do have it. I'm going to look for it and I will definitely provide that to you, Lee. Yeah, because if we're losing 68 a ton, I think that's that's a hole that we need to plug. Maybe we need to put a vote for that on the next meeting.

Well that's in our next item.

Okay. So if there are no more questions about the propo the presentation, um a next item would be approval of smart program transfer station tipping fees.

Uh and that includes construction and de demolition tipping fees.

Correct.

Okay, Tim.

Um, I will share my screen again.

So currently uh this is option one for loose municipal waste fees. So this is at the transfer station. So typically um we only charge fees for anyone uh bringing loose municipal waste that's not in orange bags. If you if you're using your orange bags, you you you're already paying through the pay as you grow program. So we don't charge a tipping fee. Um if if you're not using

orange bags or if you buy a day pass or you're not in a program um you have to pay the tipping fee for the weight of the trash. So, we currently uh we charge we currently charge $13260 per ton for our municipal uh tipping fee uh with a minimum of 200 pound. We charge a minimum fee of $13. So that's from from if you bring 10 pounds up to 200 lb, you're paying that $15, $13.

Um, and then moving forward, option one would increase the municipal tinge uh, municipal solid waste to $150 per ton. This would increase the minimum to $15.

Tim, remind me again what what's the what's our cost on the MSW?

Um so our cost is currently it's $28 per ton at at Crap Hill.

You're right. But we have to transport and all that stuff, too. So, correct. Uh right.

So So this captures uh you know exactly.

So this only captures uh weights if you're not using the program. So if you're in the program, you're paying the annual fee and and you're using orange bags. Um this doesn't, you know, capture that. So um it only captures anyone not using uh the uh program uh pay throwback.

And yes, you know, include we we do have to transport uh to crepe oil.

So that's option one.

And I'm going to skip construction demolition option one, go to option two.

So option two for municipal waste fees is $140 per ton rather than $150 per ton. Uh with a a minimum of at 200 up to 200 pounds is a $14 fee. So that's increasing that minimum by a dollar. And then that increases the uh from the existing uh tonnage cost it's um about $7.40. 47.

And Lee, I did find the tonnage, the annual tonnage, it's about 650 tons per year. So that $68 difference equals about $44,000 we're losing every year.

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Uh any questions on the losing municipal fee?

Board members, uh, do we want to consider two separate motions? One for, uh, municipal waste disposal and the second for CN D tipping fee, or would you like to do them both at once?

I think they should be done separately.

All right. Do I have a motion for the municipal waste disposal fees?

option one or option two.

I'd like to propose the use of option one for the l loose municipal waste fees.

I have a motion by Mr. Green law. Second.

I'll second.

Second by Mr. Richie. Any discussion on this motion to uh approve option one?

M I'm investing. What what are we charging currently?

$13260 per ton uh with with a minimum of $13 uh up to 200 pounds because it's going from 13 to 15.

Yeah. So if you look at the top uh on the left where it says weight 0 to 200 across that column. So it would the current fee is $13.

And then if you look down at the 2,000 pound across the right 3/4 of the way down 2,000 pound your ton.

Well, that part's simple. I just didn't know what the base what the current base was. Thank you, sir.

Any other questions, board members?

Tim, I'm a little concerned that uh this increase uh is too little given uh our projected capital costs and our need to um be able to meet whatever requirements are for vehicle type. Um having said that um I I will vote to u support the motion. Um Mr. Greenaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Richie?

Yes.

Uh Mr. Aanera?

Yes.

Uh chair votes yes. So we've approved option one for the municipal waste disposal fees. This is for next year, right Tim?

Um, this can be um e either now or or January 1st. Um, I I'd like to get this fe uh this rate updated sooner than later to recover any loss fees.

I believe last time we did this, we increased it January 1st.

Uh board members, any uh preference for when this fee would become um effective?

Jim, do we have to wait 30 days on this?

It's actually 90 days unless uh unless I get presented to the select board.

All right. So what you're saying is if the uh action we just took stands, it would be effective more or less on the first of the year.

Yes.

Right.

Unless unless we want to request it being earlier through the select board.

All right. Now, can the select board themselves decide that they want to u consider an earlier date?

Yes. Yes.

Okay. So, we will we'll we could let our action stand and it would be up to the select board to speed things up.

Okay. Board members, any comments on that discussion?

Go ahead.

Just say for future re I'd just like to see how how um on our re revenue projections for the year when you set the overall rates how this I assume this will help um put a little bit more into the reserves.

Yes, absolutely.

I do have a spreadsheet with all of the details breakdown year by year with the projections. If that would help, I can send that over to all of you.

But the different conditions with the different conditions. Yes, sir.

Yes, please.

Oh, yes. Send it.

Is that for uh Mr. Aera? Is that for general information or do you need that as part of this meeting?

No, I mean I I I don't want to hold hold up the vote because of the timeline, but I think uh general information I think we should have that see and in the future to to have it beforehand.

All right, Mr. Barbara, Miss Silva, uh you can circulate that information to us uh after our meeting and then Mr.

Barber, it's pretty clear that that additional information uh may be requested at a future rate hearing.

Absolutely.

All right. The second portion of the approval request is to increase construction and demolition tipping fees. We have uh two options uh board members.

Okay, Tim, go ahead.

So, option one, so our our existing uh just reiterate, our existing fee is $198 per ton and with a minimum of $15 uh for for up to 200 pounds. So option one is an increase to $300 per ton with a minimum of $25 uh for up to 200 pounds and and the cost your disposal right now again Tim um looking at $263 per ton is the $40 roughly $40 just under $40

those enough to cover your overhead to uh the weigh the material staffing and hauling and and all of that.

I believe so. Randy, do you have any input on that?

Yes, it is. It will definitely cover everything in addition to the smart rate increase that we made this year as well.

And when you when I send that spreadsheet over, you'll have better eyes on it. You'll be able to see Okay, board members, if there are no other questions, I'll entertain a motion.

Motion to approve option one on the construction demolition.

Do I have a second?

Second.

I have a motion by Mr. Aier. I believe the second was uh from Mr. Greenlaw. Is that correct?

Yes.

Okay. Second from Mr. Greenaw. Uh, Mr.

Greenlaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Uh, Mr. Aera, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Richie, yes.

Chair votes yes. Option one is approved.

Okay. The next item on the agenda is multi-unit residential utility extensions.

Um Tim, this is not clear as to whether this is uh for information or for uh potential action.

Sure. So it it's it's informative. Um and if the board would like to take action, you could. Uh so we have two proposed developments on state road uh that are upgrading of the sewer pump stations that we discussed earlier um Ellswick and Route 6 that are being uh redesigned and reconstructed for capacity.

Um the two uh developments multi-unit uh residential uh have submitted you know proposed development plans and are requesting to move forward on on construction.

So we I met with town administrator and and uh assistant town council and discussed the um the approval of the extension of the utilities um to allow them to construct the extensions on site. But but the connection permits only being approved based on available capacity at the time of their uh application.

Board members, any questions?

Tim, I have a question. is uh since this is not a uh listed as an approval, it will have to come back to us. Um I'm curious to know whether this approach is something that's consistent with the town's policies and whether it's been done before.

So this was uh done with with the preserve 40B.

Okay. And if it's consistent with town policies, do you need board action or uh is providing us with information sufficient?

If the I would ask the board's support to to move forward with it.

Okay. So, I suggest that this be brought back to us in our next meeting because of the uh type of noticing that was done.

Board members, any comments?

Okay. Uh next item is committee updates.

Uh, I have no committee updates.

Any Do any of the other board members have committee updates?

Hearing none, uh, we'll go to director updates.

Tim.

So, um, I guess kind of a director committee update. Uh, I attended the annual, uh, SERPED meeting, uh, yesterday evening.

and uh it was well attended. I think 21 out of the 23 municipalities and and uh were were in attendance uh that are part of our bed. Uh the topic for a lot of the questions revolved around affordable housing and bills regarding uh both duplex housing and 5,000 square foot zoning uh that will impact a lot of m municipalities and infrastructure. Um there were you know there was discussion on it. Um basically

just recommending that people you know pay attention to the to what's being brought before us for during election and questions and and and and voting on these. But uh it was it was a good meeting all in all and uh and Surfhead does a lot for a lot of the communities around and uh that's about it for that.

Uh Tim, yes. Is the town going to take positions um on any of the proposed legislation regarding um smaller lot size uh ADU or affordable housing?

I think um you know we're currently uh working through a lot of the ADU uh proposals. Um I I think you know the obviously the the infrastructure will be impacted greatly and if the if the state's not providing money to upgrade infrastructure it it's not it's going to be kind of an unfunded mandate I guess.

Yeah I my question was a little more specific than that. Do you know if the select board or the town administrator um intends to consider taking a formal position on these proposals?

I don't but I can I can definitely check and get back to the board.

Yeah, I think if uh if the town is proposing to take a formal position, um we should discuss this at our next board meeting and it should be noticed as a in a way that uh the board our board could take a position if we think it's appropriate.

These these are fairly substantial changes uh and they affect uh the issue of home rule uh when the state mandates these kinds of changes. So um I'll I'll leave it to you to get it back to us if it's appropriate.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um on the uh moving on to project updates. Um the last of the 40B project that have been proposed uh at the halfway uh road project was approved uh by the zoning board. Um and there's the I guess the comprehensive permit is is being composed.

Jamie, are you satisfied with the conditions that give you the appropriate review? Um of various connections and utilities.

I am it's still it's still a shocking number. Um but um I think we are mostly happy with with the uh with the review and and and the connection fees and and mitigation proposed.

Board members, any questions?

Okay, Tim. Uh, Brussels Mills Bridge up I mean, I'm sorry, Payton Bridge update.

Um, I am scheduled to meet with Mass Dot this afternoon, uh, to look at, uh, to discuss the updates and and see what's planned, um, moving forward. And so I will bring that back to the board.

Um board members, any comments or questions?

Being new to this, uh where are the mess? Are they working on the sign for a for bridge replacement or it's more of a bridge uh rehabilitation?

uh the the state had chosen uh the firm Majestian Masters uh for the design and uh we're told they should be submitting a 25% design to mascot uh this fall. So uh we're meeting to to actually go over that.

Tim, how long has the 20% design process been going on?

25%.

25%. Yeah, it's been a few years. Yeah.

Okay. Because I just I recall hearing about this year after year. Uh, and given the size and nature of the bridge, um, I don't anticipate that the design is a particularly challenging effort. It's just a matter of getting down to it. Um, and we've had ongoing maintenance problems and in fact the bridge has been out of commission. That is people have been having to go around on other

streets several times this summer and that has implications to commercial interests and severe implications to emergency services and timely response. Um, I personally would urge you to um share DOT with uh our concerns with this process and um ask them to explore ways of speeding it up.

Uh Tim, do they have a tenative date for for the 25% public hearing yet? No, that I believe that's going to be discussed at the meeting.

Yeah, I I I agree with the chair. Let's let's push the have them commit to some dates and that would be the next uh target would be the 25% public hearing.

That's where the uh us and the residents will get a chance to u publicly view it and give our our opinions. But that is a formal formal step that has to happen before they can move forward. And 25% is uh somewhat of a misnomer because they go from 25 to 75 and 25 is probably close to 50 and 75 is 99%.

But that's what the what Mass DOT uses as the milestones.

Correct.

Okay. Anything else on this board members?

Okay. Tim uh Russell's Mills uh bridge update. So the Russell Mills bridge over the past.

I received notice uh in early uh September regarding uh a new posting uh would reduce weight limits at that bridge. Um so we're working with Mass DOT to get the signs required by Mass DOT to be posted by October 1st. Um I've been working with Mass DOT to understand uh the reasoning behind it um the the reduced weight limits and um unfortunately I did not share that with our emergency services right away.

um and and our schools. Um and this impacts this impacts our all of our services all the way from recycling emergency services buses. Um so and I've I've expressed this concern to mass do um their so their explanation was that they they ced the slab of the bridge. So the bridge, let's sorry, let me step back.

So the bridge is it's a it's a part of the bridge is a historical it's a it's a a stone arch construction bridge and the other the other half the newer half is a slab construction. The slab construction is the deficiency. They c they ced the slab and and confirmed that it's a 10-in slab and they must have x-rayed for rebar and found that there's not a rebar in the slab width do not

comply with current code for the for the existing weight limits. So they have reduced the weight limits.

Uh Tim, a question. What's the width of the bridge length of the bridge?

That that I'm actually I plan on sharing all that information with Mass DOT uh in our meeting is well big question. Is it ours or is the state's responsibility?

This is ours. So it's our bridge.

It's less Okay. So So it's it's less than 20.

Yeah. Yep. And then uh in in speaking with Mass DOT, we've you know we we've submitted a number of vehicles. U I worked with with emergency services and uh and in the school department and fire and and submitted uh vehicle dimensions um wheelbase uh weight ratings, alle ratings to see if there's any anything that we can do um to use that bridge. Currently uh unfortunately most of the most of the vehicles used today

do not comply with the existing weight rating. Um so the reduced weight rating doesn't help that. Um I also ask for an extension and uh and if there is anything that we can do uh for temporarily to increase that that weight rating. Um, so that's being sent to Boston.

The their plan is they have fair share of funding that they're putting towards this bridge program uh for a bridge near the Russell Mills Bridge, another bridge in for and another bridge elsewhere in the Commonwealth uh to re rehabilitate and bring back up those those weight ratings. So, they're proposing a million dollars uh for the construction and they're looking to fasttrack this work. Uh I I see there are

surveyors have already been out at the bridge. So, they they are moving uh in that direction. So, I assume that the design is going to take a little while and then the construction.

So Tim, it's not clear to me that um what alternatives the town has here short of rerouting school buses, emergencies vehicles, and I assume most of the public works um trucks that come out of your yard.

Yes.

Wycling dump trucks, plow trucks.

Bel Road West.

Yeah. So there I mean there is a detour but the detours aren't easy, right? And then especially for public safety the most important.

Well you are you talking about uh Rocka Dundee Road and to the south?

Yes. Um and then bringing all that truck uh traffic up uh behind the store Deval store.

Yes.

With a with what amounts to uh blind intersections.

Okay. And how about uh to the north?

To north would be to route six. Uh that would be a route six and then back up either Tucker or Chase Road either side of the passing river.

When DOT considers the weight limits of a bridge, do they consider two-way traffic with heavy vehicles in both directions?

I don't believe so.

and or is it literally a single vehicle weighing above a certain amount could cause a bridge failure?

I believe it's a single vehicle, but I can I can confirm that because it seems to me that some traffic control might be possible if um if we were talking one heavy vehicle at a time over the bridge or if there was a speed limit on the bridge.

And I've asked all those questions of mass DOT um which they are referring to Boston.

Okay.

I uh Tim, I I I agree with with the chairman. I think the um the consideration I know nowadays a lot of places they use the alternating lights because I do believe unless it's posted I think they have to consider two vehicles because unless you unless it's posted one vehicle at a time there's nothing to stop them. So I think I think uh Cher raised a very good point that uh

I if if it meant uh avoiding a long detour those alternating lights which are very common nowadays for construction sites it would it it would be uh delayed but it would but it um I think would be a better alternative. So I think that warrants really pushing me dot on.

Yeah.

And you can, you know, my thought was you can you can route that over the stone oxide that is being rated higher than the than the slab side.

It seems a little ironic that a stone bridge is rated higher than a modern slab bridge, but so be it.

I I go over the old Roman bridges over here in Europe on a regular basis and they're still standing.

They are.

Correctly, Mr. Green law, you've done rehabilitation of stone bridges.

I have.

There's and there's a lot of technology out there that was invented by the British that's used uh worldwide.

Yeah.

Okay, Tim. Uh, we've actually rehabbed the stone art portion of the bridge and and some of the slab. We did repairs on it back in 2016. Um, but which which appear to help the stone aride, but the the slab thickness is what's I think what's the determining factor in the amount of rebar in the slab.

So just quick question. Do you do you think that something like a partial depth removal and the addition of uh another rebar mat along with some rapid setting concrete might be able to mitigate that whole thing.

and and something like that was kind of my thought when I asked if there's a a temporary fix that could that could strengthen the slab and allow vehicles to continue over that bridge.

The other thing is I don't know what's there for abutments, but uh how about temporarily adding some steel beams uh until until a more permanent fix is repaired.

I know did I did that to a to a bridge at one point and extended the life substantially quick and dirty um you know quick quick shutdown that just add some steel beams again it's structural it's a matter of having their engineers look at it but there might be something um you know like I said not not a permanent solution but some that could get the rating up I'd agree is there would there be challenges to

areas of disturbance. I mean, I've never stuck my head under there. So, I you know how does the the river run abutman to abutman or is there room?

Um I think it runs abovement to abutment.

And that well might be some some issues there too. I mean that's when you start choking up the opening size that people get heartburn about that as well.

Right.

Okay. Uh Tim.

Since this is an ongoing issue, um I'd like to request two things.

uh if you could from time to time uh drop an email to the board uh about how things are going with the discussions and also be absolutely certain that the select board hears about this Monday night if they're meeting or get get an email um maybe you and um Cody could get them an email sooner rather than later, like within a day.

Um, and you should probably write a press release to the uh Dartmouth weekly newspaper that says in words that you're comfortable with what's going on.

And something similar should be posted on the uh town's website. So, we already posted a a press release along with the uh worked with the communications director.

Okay.

And Cody.

All right.

And you'll keep us surprised of the uh progress you're making or lack thereof.

Yes.

Okay. Thank you.

Absolutely.

next item.

Anything else on the bridge for now?

I have no other questions board members.

Okay.

I had uh just an update on CIP. I had added uh our submitted uh CIP capital improvement plan along with uh the presentation that I presented to the capital improvement committee uh for the board's review. Um we uh the CIPC uh has met and and reviewed after that meeting and has submitted uh some approved capital projects uh that were recommended by the CIPC which will I believe to go into the select board for

approval.

Any questions, board members?

I had I had some additional items uh that that weren't recommended, so I did present that to the town administrator.

Okay. Um we skipped over water notification update, Tim.

Sure. So, uh, the water division notice, uh, in the packet as well was sent out, uh, was required by DP and in their in their required language. Um, we had had a a call form hit on the sample at the tank on Smith Road. Um, and the the water department uh did not um, extend notice to DP. they they sampled up upgrading and downgrading it and back uh uh a number of samples required by DP.

Um but because the because there was a a former hit call hit just under a year ago with that second hit within a year it required uh required notification.

So we sent that notification out um that EP required along with kind of an explanation uh for better understanding to the residents.

Also uh a couple uh items were you know discussed with the sampling staff with the water division staff um along with the process to you know make sure that they they're properly handling the sample and and they also uh change the level in in the storage tank to reduce the amount of uh water in the tank to try to increase the amount of chlorine residual.

Board members, any questions?

Who who is uh responsible for uh alerting the public or um the board or or yourself that there's an issue?

Tim, that's the water division superintendent.

Is that position currently filled or Yes. Yes.

and they Yeah, but I think it wasn't realized. So, our current superintendent, Andrew, wasn't the superintendent when that former hit was was taken. So, I think there was some misinformation there.

So moving forward, we discussed this and and we'll have better handle of the notification moving forward.

Okay.

Any any other board questions, comments?

Okay Tim.

Yes. Uh so just uh we're you know we're watching the weather. Uh the northeast are preparing for the storm coming in.

Uh our highway department's working on you know cleaning catch basins around town. Um if anybody has any concerns, let me know. Um we'll be preparing crews for, you know, the time during the storm uh for response. Uh, I expect to have some tree limb damage, maybe some trees as well, uh, with the rain, the leaves, uh, saturation. Um, I'm sure there will be some some issues around town.

Anything else, Tim? Staffing.

Yeah. So, so we have been working with our new HR director um in Melissa and HR to uh review candidates for multiple positions. Uh we're currently interviewing a number of candidates for positions including water and sewer craftsman and uh special motor equipment operators. Um we also have the assistant water and sewer superintendent u position uh posted as well.

Okay, board members, any questions?

Let's say Warren seen or assistant superintendent.

Uh, assistant, thank you.

Tim, is there anything else?

That is all.

Board members, any items you want to discuss?

Nope.

Uh with that I will uh entertain a motion to adjourn.

Jim, do you want to schedule the next meeting first?

Yeah, we can.

So, typically we'll we'll uh schedule out to the the third Thursday in the month. Uh October has five, so I guess we can go with the 15th or the 22nd.

Tim, I'm going to be out of town both days. Uh so Mike will have to run the meeting as the vice chair.

Okay.

We've had quite full agendas. So uh how does the board feel about the 15th?

Sooner rather than later. Absolutely.

I agree.

Okay. Any other questions of Tim? Any other items scheduling?

Uh oh. Tim for just for our information when is uh what date is town meeting?

October 20th at 7 p.m. at D High School.

Okay.

All right. with that. Um, and the town administrator had also requested if if the board could meet in joint session with the select board, I believe on October 5th, Monday, October 5th, board members, um, does that that's an evening meeting.

Typically starts at 6, right? Um, a couple of things, Tim. If we're going to do that, can we request that they consider that at the beginning of their meeting?

I can I can definitely request that.

Okay. Um, I'm available.

I will not be available that evening.

Okay.

The Monday night.

It's a Monday night. have I believe I'm available. Say 6 p.m.

Yes.

Yes, I'm available.

Okay. And Tim, can you get a hold of Mike and see if he can be there as well?

I will most definitely. Yes.

And also, as a courtesy to um our board members, could you find out what the um select board intends to discuss with us?

Yes.

Okay. Uh, with that I will entertain a motion to adjurnn.

Move.

Second.

I have a motion by Mr. Richie. Uh, Mr. Ainer, was that you seconding?

Yes.

Okay. Motion by Mr. Ainer. Um, Mr.

Greenaw, how do you vote?

Yes.

Mr. Richie, yes.

Mr. Aera, yes.

The chair votes yes. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you all very much.

Thank you all.

Thank you.