Water and Sewer 2/2/26

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Town of Richmond

Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission

Minutes of February 2, 2026

Members Present: Erin Farr, Bard Hill, Greg Rabideau, David Sander, Morgan Wolaver

Members Absent: Rabideau arrived ~6:26 pm

Staff Present: Town Manager Josh Arneson; Duncan Wardwell, Deputy Town Manager; Steve Cote, Water Resources Superintendent

 

Others Present: The meeting was recorded for MMCTV Erin Wagg, Gary Bressor, 

MMCTV Video:  https://youtu.be/gY-AYcy0jWc?si=owhvU5tcy_AVJHio  

Call to Order: 6:00 pm

Welcome: Wolaver

Public Comment: Cote stated Happy Groundhog Day

 

Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None

Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders

Minutes:

Wolaver stated that on line 135 of the January 20 minutes, the last word should be “shifting” and “shirting”

 

Sander moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2026 with one correction to change the last word of 135 to “shifting.”  Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Rabideau absent. Motion approved.

Purchase Orders:

Sander moved to approve purchase order number 5301 to M and T Bank / Wilmington Trust for the phosphorous loan in the amount of $22,220.20.  Hill seconded. 

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Rabideau absent. Motion approved.

Sander moved to approve purchase order number 5364 to the VLCT Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund for Town insurance coverage for the second half of FY26 for the Water and Wastewater Department’s portion of the coverage which totals $14,000.00.  Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Rabideau absent. Motion approved.

Warrants: 

Sander moved to approve the Warrants as presented. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Rabideau absent. Motion approved.

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Consideration of moving the second meeting in February to Tuesday, February 17, 2026 due to the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, February 16, 2026
Timestamp: 0:04

Sander moved to hold the second meeting in February on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 due to the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, February 16, 2026.  Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Rabideau absent. Motion approved.

Consideration of approval of preliminary water and wastewater allocation request for 114 East Main St.
Timestamp: 0:05
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4b1_W___SS_Alloc_Req_Cover_Letter_1-26-26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4b2_Preliminary_Water_Service_Allocation_Request_Form.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4b3_Preliminary_Sewer_Service_Allocation_Request_Form.pdf

Arneson confirmed that all the structures are on one parcel.  Cote stated that 110 East Main St has a duplex in front next to Rt 2.  The 112 East Main St is a house that was built in the back.  It was created into a duplex that is now 114 East Main St.  Arneson stated that they did get an allocation for the duplex a few years ago.  This is an additional allocation for an ADU.  Hill observed that it will be four units in two buildings.  Arneson stated that 114 East Main St is the mailing address, but the Parcel ID is 112 East Main St.  Cote confirmed that they need water and sewer allocation for the two extra bedrooms.  Cote stated there is already a meter there with a separate line. 

Hill moved to approve the preliminary water allocation of 280 gallons per day and the preliminary sewer allocation of 210 gallons per day for the proposed accessory dwelling unit located at 112 East Main St. Sander seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Rabideau absent. Motion approved.


Discussion of water service line and water meters for a proposed bathroom facility to potentially be located next to the Round Church
Timestamp:  0:16

Bressor, from the Richmond Historical Society, stated that they have been talking about building a small bathroom next to the Round Church for 32 years.  With the new waterline going in, this is the time to get it on the property.  Bressor reviewed that currently there is a 4-inch line that goes around the back of the building for a sprinkler system.  

Bressor stated that the best place to put the bathroom is on the corner of his land, up high behind the Round Church and out of the floodplain.  Bressor stated that they need Selectboard approval to grant easement to put the line on the Town property.  The Historical Society has a 40-year lease on that land, but the Town owns it.  They would want to tie into the stub for the sewer system where there used to be an old house that the Historical Society took down.  Bressor illustrated the request to tap into the existing line out by Bridge St and not pay to put in another stub.  Cote stated that in the basement of the Round Church there is a T off the 4-inch line with a meter already installed.  Cote illustrated that they could attach to that, come out of the Round Church and go on to Bressor’s property.  

Cote stated his concern that it is Town owned line supplying water to private owned property.  Bressor stated that it would be a public bathroom when the Round Church is open.  Cote confirmed that the lines would not be deep enough to be an issue.  Cote confirmed that the policy states that if it’s a Town building then they need a separate line to feed a building that is not on Town property.  Sander stated this question is outside the jurisdiction of this board.  Cote stated he thinks it needs to go to the Selectboard.  If the triangle area was connected to the Historical Society land and deeded to them, he would be comfortable about coming off the existing line.  Cote stated that he would support coming out of the Round Church off the current meter or putting a live tap on the line with a curb stop, a meter vault and a line.  Hill stated that the policy stated that if it starts as a building on a separate piece of property then it has to be a separate line.  

Arneson suggested that if the triangle area becomes Town property and the building is leased to the Historical Society then both buildings are owned by the same owner.  Cote confirmed that the Town is responsible for maintaining the line from Bridge St to the Round Church.  The Water and Sewer Commission essentially ends at the curb stop.  Farr stated that they really need to give this some thought as it is a policy thing and the school or other people might want to also connect to lines.  

Update on Zenner customer online water usage accounts
Timestamp: 0:44

Arneson reviewed that they are aware it is still not working right.  He is going to meet with Zenner later this week.  Cote confirmed that the meters are rock solid and he can read those anytime.  The portal side is completely different.

 
Update on easement obtainment for the Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project
Timestamp: 0:47

Arneson stated that they are down to one easement that they need to obtain.  They need to get a written agreement about what the Town’s going to give them in return.  Wardwell started reaching out for Property Owner information to complete the Property Transfer Tax Returns.  Arneson stated that there is a pre-bid meeting next week.  


Announcement of being awarded $1,350,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to renovate the septage receiving and processing facilities
Timestamp: 0:49
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4f_email_on_CDS_Approval.pdf

Arneson stated that they were awarded $1,350,000 to go towards the overall $20 million bill for the entire facility upgrade.  Hoyle Tanner put together the entire application process and they will incorporate this money into their funding models.

 
Follow up on funding alternatives for the wastewater treatment facility 20 year upgrade
Timestamp: 0:50
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g01_Overview_of_Alternatives.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g02_Rate_Increases_for_Repayment_Alternatives.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g03_Rate_Increases_for_Repayment_Alternatives_including_Commercial_Rates.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g04_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_A.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g05_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_B.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g06_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_C.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g07_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_D1.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g08_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_D2.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g09_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_E1.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g10_User_Rate_Analysis_-_V5_-_Alt_E2.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/01/4g11_How_to_Adopt_a_Local_Option_Tax_for_Vermont_towns.pdf

Arneson requested that Hoyle Tanner incorporate the local option tax into their models.  The next meeting will start at 5 pm so Hoyle Tanner can walk through some things.  


Update on VOSHA visit and Citation and Notification of Penalty
Timestamp: 0:51

Arneson illustrated that this was a random visit and not generated by any complaint.  The two Water/Sewer citations that had charges were for PPE when mixing fluoride and chlorine as well as work in a confined space.  Cote stated that all the citations have been corrected.  Arneson illustrated the VOSHA option to work with Project WorkSAFE which cuts the overall bill in half to $7,094.  Project WorkSAFE will come in a few weeks to go through all the citations and do a whole audit with no fines attached.  Arneson stated that VOSHA always finds new things even though VLCT does an audit every year.  Cote reviewed they had temporary eye-wash stations that had to be changed every 18 months but those expired in 2023.  The eye-wash stations are now plumbed in directly.  Cote stated that the confined space work sheet now had a place for the supervisor to sign off with a time and a date.  The staff have taken the confined space training again.  Cote stated that they now have a full face-shield and N99 dust mask for the mixing of fluoride.  


Superintendent’s Report
Timestamp: 0:55

Cote summarized that there was a problem with the digester.  Cote stated that P&P will suck it out, put it back in the septage tanks and cap the damaged pipe that caused the leak.  Cote stated that the new influent pump is installed.


Discuss Items for Next Agenda:

-Funding alternatives 20-year study
-5 PM start at the 17th

 

Adjournment

Sander moved to adjourn.  Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Sander, Rabideau, Wolaver in favor.  Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 6:59 pm

Chat file from Zoom: None