Water and Sewer 9/21/26

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Water and Sewer Minutes 09-21-26 163 KB

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Town of Richmond

Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission

Minutes of September 21, 2026

Members Present: Bard Hill, Merrick Gillies, David Sander, Morgan Wolaver

Members Absent: Greg Rabideau
 

Staff Present: Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Duncan Wardwell, Deputy Town Manager

 

Others Present: Recorded by MMCTV Erin Wagg, Gary Bressor, Jean Bressor, Mary Houle, Michael Miller

MMCTV Video:  https://youtu.be/t3Okj0cVs2k?si=O2QR0NwSIjWoF0cN 

Call to Order: 5:45 PM

Welcome: Wolaver

Public Comment: None

Additions or Deletions to the Agenda: None

Approval of Minutes, Warrants and Purchase Orders

Minutes:

Hill moved to approve the minutes of September 8, 2026.  Sander seconded. 

Roll Call Vote: Gillies, Sander, Wolaver in favor. Hill abstains.  Motion approved.

Purchase Orders:  None

Warrants: 

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

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

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present


 

Update on Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project
Timestamp: 0:08

Arneson reviewed that Tilden is mostly done, the service restoration is done, the driveway tie-ins happened last week and the path got pave.  Arneson stated that on Bridge St, they are doing some surface restoration this week, topsoil will be tying into driveways next week and removing some fire hydrants. Arneson stated that on Cochran Rd they are still doing excavation, mainline pipe installation, and removing an old fire hydrant.  No boil water notices are anticipated.  Arneson summarized that in the next couple of weeks they will be moving over to Huntington Rd. Arneson reviewed the contract to pave what has been disturbed.  Next spring the Town will do a more formal border-to-border paving.  

  
Superintendent’s report
Timestamp: 0:11

Arneson stated that a source protection area review is due again and they are looking to hire an engineer to do that. Arneson summarized that Vermont Rural Water is doing a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Facility this Thursday (https://www.richmondvt.gov/news/post/water-wastewater-tour-on-sept-24-at-10-am).  This is separate from the tour for the 20-year Study.  


Follow up on next steps to hold a bond vote in March for the renovations to the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Wastewater Pump Station
Timestamp: 0:10

Arneson reviewed that the Wastewater Treatment Facility tour is on October 17. Arneson suggested using EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) to every Richmond household which costs $750 to print and mail.  They could do one mailing now and one in January once the bond vote is finalized. Wolaver stated that everybody is voting on it.  Hill suggested addressing the difference between who approves of it and who pays for it. Gillies stated that Hoyle Tanner’s website will have that as a leading question and that will be available before the flyer goes out.  Hill stated that they should be prepared for multiple modalities including The Times Ink and handouts.  Wolaver suggested that Hoyle Tanner write an article for The Times Ink.  Hill stated that they want to be consistent in both the messaging and the framing of the messaging across all these platforms. Gillies suggested educating the public that everyone’s septage goes to this plant or it would cost more to send it a little but further away.  Hill stated that a majority of restaurants and retail businesses are on the system. Arneson confirmed the general consensus for the EDDM mailing.  


Discussion of next steps in consideration of recommending that the Selectboard place a Local Option Tax on the March Town Meeting ballot
Timestamp: 0:17

Arneson reviewed that they need to get Selectboard feedback to get the Local Option Tax on the ballot.  Arneson illustrated he could provide a summary of the different models for loan payback and the estimates of the Local Option Tax (LOT).  It is up to the Selectboard if they want to put it all towards the payment or specify other areas.  Hill observed that they should be prepared for people to wonder why they would want a LOT to go to the water-sewer system as opposed to the Town Center building. Hill stated that more people are receptive to a LOT for this building because there is longstanding maintenance and improvement costs that have not been addressed.  Gillies stated that more people are going to support having multiple pots for multiple projects.  Arneson stated that he will likely put it on the October 5 Selectboard agenda.  


Follow up on discussion of potentially relocating the wastewater pump station to the 401 Bridge St. parcel

Timestamp: 0:28
4e1 Location 0 vs 2 Evaluation and Estimated Costs Memo - August 2026
4e2 Requests from Bressors to relocate pump station with cost estimates

Arneson reviewed a follow-up meeting at the site and talked about moving the pump station a little bit closer to the existing concrete structure.  Arneson illustrated the screening that would make the concrete structure and new pump station look like a small red shed.  They followed up with Zoning and some Hoyle Tanner reps to confirm allowable use.  It seems the pump station would be allowable because it is a transfer facility per DRB approval.  Hoyle Tanner will follow up on State wetlands approval.  

Gillies stated that he had some concerns with the engineer estimates as they do not have the scope of the full-design and cost. He requested that the engineers still evaluate both pump station locations further as there are a number of cost considerations.  The construction sequencing is challenging at an existing site due to maintaining infrastructure where building something offsite is generally easier.  If the pump station is moved further downgrade, there's potential for no generator as there'd be enough storage in the pipe.  Gillies summarized that they need the consultant’s report before they decide on a preliminary choice to figure out the design structure, pump station access, and other needed items.  Gillies suggested further geotechnical investigations.


Discuss Items for Next Agenda: 
-Update on Hoyle Tanner website and flyer
-Waterline replacement update
-Update on pump station location
-Post updates on paving plan


 

Adjournment

Sander moved to adjourn.  Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Hill, Gillies, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at: 6:37 PM

Chat file from Zoom:  None