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1999-09-07Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board 50 Arlington Avenue Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 Minutes of Meeting September 7, 1999 The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. Present were Chairman Fletcher, Members Bornstein and Killilea, Superintendent Knowlton, Attorney Darling and Linda Vaughan, Secretary. Attending the meeting were Beverly residents Nathan ZolI,Toni Musante, Renee M. Mary, and Philip Dunklebarger. Julia Fairclough from the Salem Evening News, Don DeHart, Danvers DPW Director, and Randy Fouch and Frank Occhipinti from Weston and Sampson Engineering. Current Expense warrant #25 and 26, Payroll warrant #26, and Fund Account warrant #11, were signed. Special accounts were presented for signature. Report from Weston & Sampson: Chairman Fletcher introduced Randy Fouch, P.E. of Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. The Chairman noted that the Board had retained Weston & Sampson to perform a study of the feasibility of diverting to the Bass River Watershed, surface water near the Beverly Airport which currently flows into Wenham Lake. He said the Board undertook the study because, despite the Board's appeal to DEP in opposition to development of a commercial subdivision in the area, DEP has issued a Superseding Order of Conditions and the development was going forward. The board thought it prudent to determine whether the potential impacts to the water supply might be addressed by diverting surface water flow away from Wenham Lake. Mr. Fouch then made a presentation regarding the draft Airport Brook Hydraulic Study. Mr. Fouch reported that it is technically possible to divert flows up to a 100 year storm event from most of the industrially zoned area north of Henderson Road to the Bass River via a 36" diameter pipe without causing flooding problems downstream in the Bass River. Mr. Fouch outlined three possible routes for this pipeline, the route avoiding existing roads appearing to be the most favorable solution. Water from the area north of the former Nike site at the Beverly airport would be transported through the industrial area and into Airport Brook downstream of the developed area via a 48" pipe. The Board accepted Mr. Fouch's presentation as a report of progress and instructed him to finalize the report. Request from Don DeHart, Danvers DPW: Don DeHart, Director of the Town of Danvers Department of Public Works, asked that the Town be allowed to purchase water from the Board as has been done in prior years. Danvers has a total outside water ban but no emergency has been declared yet. If Danvers' request is approved by the Board, Danvers would enter into a formal agreement with the Board as in the past. Superintendent Knowlton reported that the Board's reservoirs currently stand at about 70% of capacity, which is on the low end of normal for this time of year. However, he noted that the Board this year is prohibited by DEP from beginning to refill its reservoirs from the Ipswich River until December 1, even if water is available earlier. If the drought continues, reservoir levels should be at approximately 50% by December 1. Chairman Fletcher stated that since the Water Board's first responsibility must be to supply its own customers, the Board is not able to answer Danvers' needs at the moment. If an emergency situation should develop for the Town, the Board would consider a further request for assistance depending on the levels of the Board's reservoirs at that time. Citizens Concerns: [Chairman Fletcher opened the meeting to questions] Mr. Nathan Zoll of Beverly's Ward 4 presented the Board with copies of historical data (letters and maps) on the Vitale site and expressed concern with possible development of this site. Chairman Fletcher remarked that the Board has not seen any plans or proposals for development of this site. He stated the Board's only concern at present is with general watershed issues. Mr. Killilea reiterated that Beverly has had an ongoing study for contamination on the site. Mr. Bornstein suggested that, because the present zoning in that area allows commercial developmment, the Board needs to look at the flows in the area even if nothing is currently proposed. The Board agreed that it should be looked at. Discussion between the Board and Beverly residents followed. Report on Quality: Mr. Knowlton reported that water quality in the two cities remains normal We are using more chlorine because of warm water conditions. There is some summer odor from weeds on the bottom of pond. We are now controlling this with carbon. The minutes of July 6 and August 8, 1999 were approved on a motion by Mr. Bornstein, second Mr. Killilea, all In favor. The next meeting of the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board will be on Tuesday, October 5, 1999 at 10:00 AM. Having no more business to discuss, the Board adjourned at 11:10 AM on a motion by Mr. Bornstein, second, Mr. Killilea, all in favor. Respectfully submitted, Linda J. Vaughan Secretary 2