Water and Sewer 8/11/25

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Water and Sewer Minutes 08-11-25 198 KB

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Town of Richmond

Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission

Minutes of August 11, 2025

Members Present: Bard Hill, Erin Farr, Jay Furr, David Sander, Morgan Wolaver

Members Absent: None

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

Others Present: The meeting was recorded for MMCTV Erin Wagg

MMCTV Video: MMCTV Erin Wagg
https://youtu.be/OUwiP633I_M?si=Ndf0wtSbLzaGapsM

Call to Order: 6:00 pm

Welcome: Wolaver

Public Comment: None

Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: Hill suggested an addendum to item (d) on what degree are they willing to support people in adding additional curb stops to the waterline.

Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders

Minutes:

Hill moved to approve the minutes of July 14th, 2025. Sander seconded.

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

Sander moved to approve the minutes of July 21st, 2025. Hill seconded.

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

Warrants:

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

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

Purchase Orders: None

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Reorganization of Water and Sewer Commission
Timestamp: 0:04

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Furr, Farr, Hill, Sander

Furr move to appoint Morgan Wolaver as Chair of the Water and Sewer Commission. Farr seconded.

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

Hill moved to appoint Erin Farr as Vice Chair of the Water and Sewer Commission. Sander seconded.

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


Consideration of approving a no cost change order to the engineering for the 20 year study
Timestamp: 0:06

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2025/07/4b1_Richmond_WWTF_Step_1-__Amendment_2_-_Scope_Update_-7-18-2025.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2025/07/4b2_Richmond_WWTF_Step_1_-_Amendment_1_-_Fully_Executed.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Arneson, Farr

Arneson summarized that the engineers went a bit over budget so they wanted to push some of the work to the Step 2 agreement but that doesn’t have the 50% forgiveness. Arneson stated that they do have $19,000 left in the cap for 50% forgiveness.  At the next meeting, they will have a clear explanation of what will be bumped to Step 2.


Update on discussions regarding bond re-payment
Timestamp: 0:09

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Arneson, Sander, Cote, Hill, Farr, Furr

Wolaver summarized meetings with Hoyle Tanner in regard to the wastewater upgrade. They are inputting data into spreadsheets.  One spreadsheet will keep the septage the same and the other will show the potential of increasing it.  Cote estimated that they would be taking 60,000 gallons a day of septage in the next few weeks because Montpelier and Essex are closed.  Wolaver confirmed that they are looking at different scenarios like moderate increases over 3 years and then dropping down to inflationary increases.

Hill suggested that they bring back the variables that could influence the repayment. Hill stated that if the State wants them to receive septage then they should show some financial incentives.     

Cote described that he worked with engineers to prioritize the influent pumps, flood mitigation, septage receiving, and dewatering. Cote stated that the Hoyle Tanner’s modeling system was really good.

Update on easement obtainment for the Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project
Timestamp: 0:23

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Cote, Arneson, Hill, Farr, Furr, Sander

Cote confirmed that they handed out 18 out of the 23 total. They need a notary to sign it so only 1 had been turned in so far.  Cote stated that there are 3 people who were wondering about the cost for an additional curb stop.  Hill suggested providing a cost estimate.  Cote estimated that it is $480 for a meter setup but it has changed.  Hill stated that if people do not have an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) then they can cap the curb stop and cap the supply line.  Cote stated that they would have to buy an allocation for a curb stop but he will double check the requirements.  Arneson suggested that if people are allowed to put in a curb stop without an allocation, then they should put something in writing that says it does not guarantee the allocation unless you pay an annual fee.  Farr pointed out that the allocation is based on sewer so that complicates it even more.  Cote stated that this is just the water end of it and people will still need to dig and make a connection for sewer.  Wolaver suggested some form of communication that provides ballpark costs and other things to consider. 


Review of July water data
Timestamp: 0:41

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2025/07/4e_Monthly_Water_Report_for_July_2025.pdf

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Cote, Farr

Cote stated that the chlorine pump has been an issue. Cote stated that they added some fluoride to the saturator. 
 

Superintendent’s Report

Timestamp: 0:43

People who participated in discussion: Wolaver, Cote, Arneson, Sander, Furr, Hill
 

Cote summarized that every day there is something else broken at the plant. The dewatering facility came to a stop last week due the problems with the agitator getting rags on it.  Cote stated they are looking to put a patch on the tank or getting a 1,500-gallon tank in a different space.  Currently, they are using some plumbing to suck directly out of the digester.

Cote reviewed the quotes for the aerator where one was over $100,000 for just the materials and the other one was $25,000. He is waiting for one more quote to come back.

Cote stated that they ordered the parts to fix the filter tanks.

Cote thinks that the bigger problem is the septage they are receiving with rags and grit that create issues down the road. 

Cotes stated that there is a job applicant coming to tour the plant. 

Discuss Items for Next Agenda:

-Regular meeting on Monday
-Bond repayment meeting on Tuesday
-Curb stops

-Huntington Rd

Adjournment

Sander moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Hill, Farr, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Furr not in favor. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at:  7:04 pm

Chat file from Zoom: None