Notes from Water and Sewer Commission, February 14, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Don Schneyer, Chair
• Peter Socha
• Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary
• Patrick White
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator and Tony Campetti, Superintendent Sewer Department via Zoom

1. Canales put justification of water and sewer rates on a screen share. The rate should equal the costs including indirect costs. In both cases, Stockbridge collects more than it needs/spends. However, Canales said, it is within acceptable limits. Income is 10% over costs — $39-40,000 in dollars.
2. Campetti reported:
   1. Camera work for Phase 3 of Influx and Infiltration (I&I) study done.
   2. Items for this year's budget: Phase 4 of I&I, new sludge pump (20 years old), two new wastewater pumps (10 years old), and do a sewer-needs assessment (where to put new sewer lines and in what order)
   3. Total cost $358,000 — use American Rescue Program (ARPA) funds? No because want to use contractor they have been working with and ARPA requires bids. Sewer Surplus Account has $358,000 so have money on hand to do it all — spend down Surplus fund.
   4. Expenditures still have to be approved at Town Meeting
3. Water report — safety controls being installed — GPS, hydrants, and water shut offs, etc.

Meeting adjourned.

Photo: Blue Moon Images/Dana Goedewaagen