Water and Sewer Meeting 4.1.2026

Water and Sewer Meeting Agenda 4.1.2026 - 6:00 PM -Town Hall

 

Meeting Called to order at: 

Minutes to Approve: March 18, 2026.

 

 

Old Business:

 

1. Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure control Plan.  Tabled.

• Equipment and Installation Update.  Exposure control plan and related action items were sent to Jim Gobeille and John Berry on March 7, 2025 for review and implementation.

• Water Treatment Plant: Currently has an eyewash station.

• Wastewater Treatment Plant: Equipped with both an eyewash station and a safety shower; however, the shower is located upstairs, away from the eyewash station.

On June 18, 2025, John Berry ordered new eyewash stations, which have since been delivered. Keith from Mass Rural Water had agreed to install the units at no cost but is no longer with the organization. Installation has been delayed due to an issue: the eyewash stations are too tall for the current plumbing configuration, and a licensed plumber is now needed to convert the setup.

Action Items:

• Stills Plumbing assessed the site and equipment on August 15, 2025

• Stills quote to follow. Received quote 9.24.25 – Review and consider for approve.

• Blood pathogens Training 9/18/25 6pm Stanton Hall

• Review and discussion quote given by Still Services for installation of Eye-wash emergency shower station.

• Acquire other bids for the Eye wash emergency shower station.

• John Berry acquiring 2 additional quotes.

• John to continue searching for Plumber to provide the service.

• H. Daniel Oliveira provided 2 companies to call.  System Plumbing & Strycharz Family Plumbing.

• 2 Options on Eyewash/ Shower station:

  • Install with cold water only

  • Install with a heat to have temperature to 70 – 90 degrees, which is code. But a hot water heater is needed.

  • John to get estimates without the water heater.

 

 

2. 51 Basket Street Land Fill Project.  Tabled.

Discussion regarding the temporary water line installation at 51 Basket Street, currently serving 11 residences under a single-meter billing arrangement to the Board of Health, through August 2027.

• Water usage account was established on August 7, 2025, in the Softright billing system, billed to the Board of Health.

• Karon has submitted the required documentation and is coordinating with Joe from Tighe & Bond, who is managing the grant application for this project.

• A Public Information Hearing was held on August 27, 2025, at 6:30PM.

• The Select Board approved moving forward with the project, even if grant funding is not secured.

• Reviewed update on 9/9/25 meeting notes provided by Karon Hathaway. 

• Updates from Project lead Karon Hathaway.

• Updates will be emailed. Project nearing completion.

• Contract from DEP has been signed. 

• Tie-in has not been done, plumber to arrive and complete.

• 12/2/25 – Western Earth Works was checking water pipe connections for water leaks.  We still need to do pressure test and bacteriological testing before we connect to 51 Basket Street.
• Detection of 2 leaks in main water line have been fixed. The pressure test indicates no pressure which is being worked on to resolve.
• Western Earth Works invoice $95,251.54 was processed in WP 11.
• See 12/02/25 meeting notes.
• Meeting with Select Board December 17, 2025 at 6:00PM.
• Pending.
• Cash Flow issues, we must pay invoice and the grant will reimburse the funds spent.  Special town meeting to be determined.
• 2.4.26 Public informational session.
• Special Town Meeting 2.11.26 – Vote to be taken.

 

 

3. Walking Bridge Vandalism.  Tabled.

Discussion of repair work related to vandalism at the walking bridge. 

• Laura is in the process of obtaining three quotes for review and approval.

• To date, September 3, 2025, two quotes have been received and have been presented for review.

• Dan will provide an additional contractor contact to be invited to submit a third quote for bidding.

• Quotes from: Turtle Bend Home Improvement, Limited Budget and Aaren’s Home Improvement. 

• Discussion of all bids. On hold until further information is obtained. 

• Dan to reach out to Turtle to request an official quote. 

• Further damage to the bridge has been discovered. Working with police and local residents in efforts to prevent further damage and bring it to a stop.

• Karon Hathaway spoke to the Police Chef, wanted a formal complaint.  Chef said he would write it up.

• Sent Email to the 3 bidders with updated information of a Full replacement to the wood surrounding the water pipes. 

• Presented “Your on Camara” signs along with 360 wireless camaras.

• Project on Hold.

• Discussions resumed, as H Daniel Oliveria inspected the bridge and determined approximately 25 boards need to be replaced.  He researched materials estimating $600.00.  He also mentioned he has insulation to wrap pipes as needed.

  Determination made to the Water Sewer department to fix itself for the cheap cost due to budget constraints.

  Laura Driscoll sent the two companies that did send in quotes thanking them for their time.

• Progress on the repairs has been temporarily posed as a result of holiday, staff limitations and adverse weather conditions.

 

 

4. The TOH Sewer Department By-laws to be reviewed by commissioners.

• Sewer Regulations.

  • Review of neighboring towns’ Sewer Rules and Regulations.

 

 

 

5. Review Sewer & Water Fund Balances for Fiscal Year 2025 Activity.

Request confirmation that the reserve funds for both water and sewer are in funds as Fiscal Year 2025 Activity sheet indicates.

• Waiting on transfer.

 

 

6. Discussions on changing Town software to Vadar under consideration.

• Scheduled demo of system 12.08.25. Karon Hathaway to attend as 

• Laura Driscoll is on vacation.

• No Update.

• Zoom meeting 1.9.2026 Karon & Laura on call.

• Gave feedback – waiting for decision.

• Town Selectman have decided to move forward with the move to Vadar. 

Tentative switch date May 2026.

• Vadar Freeze March 16, 2026 – April 6, 2026. Stated will be ready for 4^th QTR billing.

• Noticed Vadar we are moving forward with 3^rd QTR billing at the end of March through Softright.

• Review Letter to Residents regarding updated bill layout.

 

 

7. Gateway OIT Apprentice Program.

• Meeting with Bob Delay & Jim Friday January 16, 2026.

I attended Workforce Development and Operation Opportunities hosted by Springfield Water and Sewer on Friday, January 16, 2026. Coalition of the Willing, (Chester and Huntington) are supportive and encourage expanding the effort to create workforce opportunities for Gateway Regional High School curriculum to begin to fill urgently needed Water Department positions.  The Chester team is leading the coalition.  As we approach Budget Season, it is a great opportunity for Commissioners to think about funding to sustain this pathway for Gateway Regional High School students.

 

• The past Gateway Apprentice Program had a classroom curriculum and a student(s) worked with our Water Operator – Jim Gobeille May – August. Funding was provided by a grant managed by Martha Clark – Gateway Regional.  The Town of Huntington paid the apprentice student minimum wage, and the individual shadowed our Water Operator in day-to-day activities.  Hours were submitted to Gateway for reimbursement to TOH.

 

• Bob Daley and Jim Zimmerman to joining the 2.25.26 meeting at 6:30pm.

 

• Meeting was about joining to acquire a Grant Researcher & Writer.  Unfortunately, the water & sewer department did not budget for the expense of $1,700.00.

• No New Information.

 

 

8. Leak in system.

• Still has not been located.

• Karon Hathaway to meet with Jim and John to discuss a plan of action.

 

 

9. Review Stiles quote for new Tablet meter reader.

• The board requested additional information from Stiles and confirmation that the device will be fully compatible with the new Vadar system currently under consideration.

• Key points include the need to migrate to a new Beacon Badger system ensuring compatibility with existing systems and avoiding unnecessary purchases due to financial constraints.
• Motion to approve Beacon Badger updated meter reader. All in favor, H. Daniel Oliveira, Karon Hathaway & Sue Fopiano.
• Contacted Jenn Town Administrator to let her know we are making the upgrade.
• Waiting for the new system to be ready.
• New Meter Reader will be arriving approximately April 1, 2026.

 

 

10. Wastewater Sewage Plant Removal Bidding.

• Begin soliciting quotes from waste removal vendors and present the proposals at the next meeting. 

• H. Daniel Oliveira suggested several companies to contact.

  Cooper Excavation and Trucking

           Vins Septic

           C & S Septic

*Whitley Septic

*Lafond Septic -  Received.

John to contact potential wastewater removal vendors to bid on this service.

• John has asked me to take this task.
• I have emailed 2/17/2026, requested bids back by 4.1.2026.
• Reminder email to be sent regarding deadline to bid.

 

 

11. Discrepancy transaction.

• Run reports on water improvement cost centers to identify transactions including a suspected duplicate of $12,825 and determine what project account those charges belong to.  Report findings when available.
• Investigated why the double payment.
• Payment made was incorrectly – new check was processed but not removed from processed check, new check has been created.
• Email has been sent to Accountant to confirm deletions.

 

 

12. Inbound Revenue Reserve.

• Concerning regarding the inbound revenue from customers and where they are being allocated correctly.

• Email Richard Accountant for explanation.

 

 

13. FY2027 Rate Increase customer notice.

• Review Water & Sewer Informational notice.

• Create notices for The Town of Huntington Water & Sewer Department.

• Decide on Public Hearing Date.

• Public Hearing May 4, 2026.

• Submit to Turley Publications on April 6^th. 

• Notice to be in Country Journal April 16^th and April 23^rd.

• Robo call and Posting Legal Notice at designated locations in Huntington.

 

 

 

14. Blandford Hill Road Project.

• Kick off meeting Wednesday March 11, 2026.
• Project to start Spring 2027.
• List of Residence has been requested.
• Project notice has been sent to residents.

 

 

 

New Business:

 

15. FY26 QTR 3 Commitment Sheet to be reviewed and signed.

 

16. Stanton Hall Heater Valve leak.

 

17. Stanton Ave leak.