Water and Sewer 3/2/26

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Water and Sewer Minutes 03-02-26 221 KB

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Town of Richmond

Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission

Minutes of March 2, 2026

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

Members Absent: None

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, Mary Houle

MMCTV Video:  https://youtu.be/KyKE6fOTneQ?si=X5QuzAJnmphUrDil 

Call to Order: 6:00 pm

Welcome: Wolaver

Public Comment: Wolaver reminded everyone to go vote at Town Meeting Day. 

 

Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None

Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders

Minutes:

Sander moved to approve the minutes of February 17, 2026.  Hill seconded. 

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

Purchase Orders:

Hill asked how they arrived at a third as the share of the FY27 Audit for Water/Sewer.  Arneson stated that it was based on the advice of the auditors. 

Sander moved to approve purchase order number 5303 to RHR in the amount of $10,333.34 which is the portion of the FY27 audit that will be charged to the Water and Wastewater Department.  Hill seconded.  
Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Rabideau, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Motion approved.

Warrants: 

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

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

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Discussion of Water and Sewer Commission meeting start times
Timestamp: 0:04

Arneson summarized that the financing of the 20-year study, discussions with the Housing Committee, and the FY27 budget review process will take a good amount of time.  Arneson suggested starting the meetings at 5 or 5:30 PM for the rest of March, April, and May.  Arneson stated that they would look at the agenda the week prior and confirm the start time with the Commission on an as needed basis.  Furr stated that if the Housing Committee wants to talk to them then maybe a few of them could go to their meetings.  Hill suggested that a member from the Housing Committee could also show up at the Water/Sewer meetings to absorb what is going on.  


Update on Zenner customer online water usage accounts
Timestamp: 0:12

Arneson shared his screen to illustrate the issues they had with the online portal.  The portal provides links to the Dashboard and My Account.  The My Account provides account information, meter IDs, and Notifications.  The Dashboard provides consumption reports that drill down into timeframes by day and hour.  Arneson illustrated that when you click into a day it looks like the usage starts around noon.  Zenner is looking into why the data is skewed when it wasn’t prior to January.  The Zenner rep thought that once they upgrade the system that interfaces with the raw data, the customer-facing portal will be improved.  
  

Update on easement obtainment for the Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project
Timestamp: 0:17

Arneson stated that he received the updated easement for the O’Grady property on the corner of Tilden.  Wardwell is following up on the missing PTTRs and the attorneys will also provide some assistance.  Hill suggested getting a statement from the attorney on why they need that information for the PTTR form.
 

Review of Second Quarter FY26 Financials
Timestamp: 0:20
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4d1_FY26_QTR_2_Budget_Status_Water_02-02-26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4d2_FY26_QTR_2_Budget_Status_Wastewater_02-02-26.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4d3_FY26_QTR_2_Water_Sewer_Septage_Financials.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4d4_FY26_QTR_2_Debt_Schedule.xlsx

Arneson reviewed the Budget Status report from the packet.  The actual percentage of budget is about 50% in most cases.  The Finance Director provides feedback in blue.  

For Water, revenue is a little bit behind budget, but they have not transferred the Fire Services from the General Fund yet.  The Salaries and Health Insurance are under 50% mostly due to staffing vacancy for the first couple months of the quarter.  Admin support to the Town has not yet been billed so those expenses will be coming out probably this quarter.  Arneson stated that they have not spent much on repairs or repaving.  Water Testing is up about 72% of the budget but overall, down on the water side of the budget.  Cote stated that they are required to test for PFAS four times a year and the test is significantly expensive.  Cote confirmed that they test water and bio-solids for PFAS.  

For Wastewater, user revenue is at 57% overall which is probably driven by receiving septage.  Arenson stated that the total Admin expenses are at 49.21%.  Admin support from the Town has not yet been billed.  Wastewater operations are at 36% despite the need to keep up with repairs at the plant.  Facility Repair is at 65% because of some of the repairs.  Biosolids Facility Repairs are at 69% and Biosolid Chemicals is lower at 39%.  Cote stated that Facility Repair and Biosolids Facility Repair are going to be significant this quarter.  

Arneson reviewed that there was an error in the billing on the Commercial and Government Usage fee, but those accounts will be corrected and credited. 

Arneson illustrated the spreadsheet that looks at current and historic bank accounts.  Arneson also illustrated the trends in Delinquent and Reserve accounts.  Wastewater Capital dipped to $30,000 due to paying the bills for the 20-year study.  Those are all reimbursable and will be wrapped into a loan.  

Arneson summarized the Debt Schedule spreadsheet which helps with budgeting to see what future payments still exist for Jericho Rd, East Main St, water tank, Bridge St projects, phosphorous study, and Millet St sewer line.  This will be talked about more during the budget meetings.  


Follow up on what “Other” categories in FY25 Audit consists of
Timestamp: 0:34
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4e1_TOWN_OF_RICHMOND-FY25_TOWN_OF_RICHMOND_PRESENTATION__1_.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4e2_2025_Town_of_Richmond_Vermont_Audit_report.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4e3_2025_Town_of_Richmond_Vermont_Management_Letter.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4e4_2025_Town_of_Richmond_Vermont_CTG_SAS_114_Letter.pdf

Arneson stated that the Other category mostly had to do with emergency repairs from the 2024 flood.  It also includes some revenue from the 2023 flood and expenses for biosolids testing/disposal and equipment rental.  Arneson reviewed that for next year’s audit they are going to use a more descriptive category than “Other”.


Update on Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP)
Timestamp: 0:36
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/02/4f_vlct-chip-all-slides-vlct-vepc.pdf

Wolaver summarized that he and Hill went to a VLCT meeting around Community and Housing Infrastructure.  CHIP focuses on trying to build more affordable homes for middle/lower income.  CHIP would be able to provide some income to pay for the water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure expansion out Rt 2 to the Gateway.  The Town or developer could take on the original debt.  Hill illustrated that it was recommended that the Town should hire an attorney or developer to walk them through the CHIP choices.  There is an economy of scale where it would not be done for two houses, but the intent is multi-unit apartments.  Wolaver reviewed that if it is $4 million to go out Rt 2 then the improvements need to generate that many taxes to pay for the infrastructure.  Rabideau stated that it is a highly efficient solution but not sure we are ready for that kind of density.  Wolaver summarized it would not be money for the 20-year study but something the Richmond Housing Committee could review.  
         

Discussion of septage receiving rates
Timestamp: 0:50

Cote illustrated that the State is having an upcoming meeting about the current septage receiving rates.  Cote stated that it is a fine line because if they charge too much then they lose their haulers.  Cote explained that he took 30,000 gallons today with a lot of coming from Milton because Richmond is cheaper.  A lot of municipalities take just the amount of septage they need to make the press run well.  Cote stated that there will be more information coming up.  


Superintendent’s Report
Timestamp: 0:56

Cote illustrated that they are getting a very long list of things that are breaking.  They have installed the new control panel and flocculator.  There's a 20-year-old VFD that is not giving maximum capacity.  The blower motor on the furnace went out again.  There is one filter tank off-line.  

Discuss Items for Next Agenda:

-Budget
-PTTR update
-Project WorkSAFE
-Revenue for 20-year upgrade


Adjournment

Hill moved to adjourn.  Sander seconded.

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

Meeting adjourned at: 6:59 PM

Chat file from Zoom: None