Water and Sewer 4/21/25
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Monday,
April 21, 2025
6PM – 7 PM
Minutes
Draft
Minutes
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Town of Richmond
Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission
Minutes of April 21, 2025
Members Present: Erin Farr, Bard Hill, Jay Furr, David Sander, Morgan Wolaver
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Superintendent Steve Cote; Town Manager Josh Arneson, Assistant to the Town Manager Duncan Wardwell, Admin Assistant Linn Caroleo.
Others Present: The meeting was recorded for MMCTV Erin Wagg, Jon Olin, and Kirstin DiPietro-Worden from Hoyle Tanner.
MMCTV Video: MMCTV Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/6cnz8B089vU?si=qTJDa1i9OWrhHw2i
Call to Order: 5:33 pm
Welcome: Sander
Public Comment: None
Additions or Deletions to the Agenda:
Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders
Timestamp: 0:01
Minutes:
Furr moved to approve the Minutes as written on 04/07/2024. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Furr, Sander in favor. Motion approved.
Purchase Orders:
Furr moved to approve Purchase Order 5286 to M&T Wilmington Trust for the Wastewater portion of the Millet St. loan in the amount of $14,092.53. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr in favor. Motion approved.
Furr moved to approve Purchase Order 5287 to Union Bank for the water tank gap loan in the amount of $26,445.18. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Sander, Furr in favor. Motion approved.
Warrants:
Furr moved to approve the Warrants as presented. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Sander, Farr in favor. Motion approved.
Update from Hoyle Tanner on next steps for 20-year study
Timestamp: 0:06
People who participated in discussion: Hill, Arneson, Olin, DiPietro, Cote, Farr, Sander
Olin went over the Wastewater project summary and spoke about grants that have been applied for previously (which were not awarded), and recent grants that have been applied for to help pay for this project which is now estimated to cost $4.5 million. Olin discussed the proposed schedule moving forward, including design phase and construction phase. Hill wanted to know why this upgrade is needed. DiPietro said that septage is a good income source and the plant needs to be upgraded to receive more septage. Cote added that without the septage we cannot process our sludge. He said over the past 2 months the septage receiving has been incredibly low, he would like to get those numbers up. Hill wanted to know what the minimum repairs would be to keep the plant going. Farr wondered if there is a cheaper option if we don’t get a governmental grant instead of the entire $4.5 million, like a $2 million option. Cote said this upgrade would allow us to take in commercial septage, which would be revenue for the Town. Hill cautioned, but at what expense. Cote pointed out that the press, the conveyer system and the polymer needs to be upgraded at a minimum. Arneson pointed out that it would be better to have quotes as the job moves along instead of this one very large cost. Olin said he can produce a more accurate reflection of what this is going to cost, but it’s tricky to set up a list of septage rates. He is aware that this will come up as a Bond vote, in terms of cost and then must include a payback strategy. Cote wanted to know why the current total quote is $19.5 million, as opposed to $17 million formerly. DiPietro said she has added 10-11% due to potential future tariffs, 30% has been added to the bottom line because this will not go out to bid for another 2 years and prices for supplies and labor will increase in that time. Farr wondered if other small Towns were doing a similar upgrade and how are they presenting it to the public. She continued that perhaps asking the public for input prior to a bond vote is a good idea. Cote added he thinks commercial users should be added to a pre-vote meeting because they often have concerns. Olin thinks informing the public should happen during the public outreach planned for the fall. The 20-year study that Hoyle Tanner is conducting is required (every 20 years). Olin ended by saying that it has been decided to buy the influent pump outright because there is money for that currently and it needs to be replaced imminently.
Consideration of setting a date for the Water and Sewer Commission Annual Customer Meeting
Timestamp: 0:52
People who participated in discussion: Arneson
Arneson suggested having this meeting prior to July.
Farr moved to hold the Water and Sewer Commission Annual Customer Meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6pm. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Furr, Hill, Sander, Farr in favor. Motion approved
Review of Draft FY26 Budget and Rates
Timestamp: 0:53
People who participated in discussion: Arneson, Cote
Arneson added a rate sheet based off usage rates of commercial, government, schools, and citizens to the budget. Cote pointed out that the Zenner meters will automatically upload numbers, and this will change and be easier to calculate moving forward. Cote continued that he has found several leaky toilets due to the new system, which ultimately will save water. But as a whole water usage and rates have gone up over the past three years.
Update on Tilden Ave. Bridge St. and Cochran Rd. waterline project
Timestamp: 0:22
People who participated in the discussion: Arneson, Cote, Hill, Farr
Arneson explained this project is very stalled and is not moving forward and we do not have approval for this to go out to bid yet. Cote is frustrated at the slowness of this project. Hill asked about the site plans and the curb stops and their distance from the road. Cote said all the curb stops will be new once this project is completed. Farr wondered if the two projects could be separated, which Cote said no, this is one large project.
Review of 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
Timestamp: 1:16
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2025/04/4e_CCR_2024.pdf
People who participated in the discussion: Cote, Farr, Arneson
Cote said this is a study that is done each year. Farr asked about the chart and how to decipher lead or copper values on the chart, she was unsure how to read the chart. Cote said the pipes in Richmond are well below the limits for lead. He too finds the chart hard to understand and read. Arneson said he wants more information about the limits of contaminants.
Update on Water Meter installation
Timestamp: 1:00
People who participated in the discussion: Cote
Cote explained there are only 7 water meters left to install.
Superintendents Report
Timestamp: 1:21
People who participated in discussion: Cote
The pump station control panel is now 5 feet above ground. Cote has a UV meter now. All bulbs have been changed to LED bulbs. They are in the process of cleaning aeration tank.
Discuss Items for Next Agenda:
Budget rates
Tilden Ave
Septage numbers
The next meeting should also start at 5:30 pm
Adjournment
Farr moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Wolaver, Hill, Farr, Furr, Sander in favor. Motion approved.
Meeting adjourned at: 6:54 pm
Chat file from Zoom: None
Agenda
Printable version
Web version
Town of Richmond Meeting of the Water and Sewer Commission
April 21, 2025
Richmond Town Center Meeting Room, 3rd Floor – 203 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT
Meeting may also be joined online or by phone
Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88582968480?pwd=mPSIfhpnDLNDYG9xwCsJHsaaSrHEin.1
Join by Phone: +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 885 8296 8480 Passcode: 563921
Agenda
5:30 PM 1. Welcome and Public Comment
5:32 PM 2. Additions, Deletions, or Modifications to the Agenda
5:35 PM 3. Approval of Minutes, Purchase Orders, and Warrants*
a. Minutes of 4/7/25
5:40 PM 4. Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present
a. Consideration of setting a date for the Water and Sewer Commission Annual Customer Meeting* (1 min)
b. Update from Hoyle Tanner on next steps for 20-year study (25 min)
c. Review of Draft FY26 Budget and Rates # (25 min)
d. Update on Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. waterline project # (10 min)
e. Review of Consumer Confidence Report # (5 min)
f. Update on installation of water meters (2 min)
g. Superintendent’s Report (5 min)
6:53 PM 5. Discuss Items for Next Agenda and Adjourn
Time is available at each meeting for public comment.
If you would like to schedule a time with the Commission or need assistance to participate in the meeting, please call
Josh Arneson, Richmond Town Manager at 434-5170 or jarneson@richmondvt.gov
Links to videos of Water and Sewer Commission meetings can be found at mtmansfieldctv.org
Documents related to this meeting can be found at: www.richmondvt.gov/documents/water-sewer-commission-meeting-documents/
*denotes action item # denotes item(s) included in packet