Ascutney Fire District #2 Weathersfield VT
Public Information Meeting Notes
Water System Alternatives for the Ascutney Village Area
September 28, 2010
George Murray opened the meeting by explaining what the Prudential Committee has done to date, the hiring of Forcier and Aldrich for an Engineering Study and indicated there would be an income survey sent to all residents as part of the overall study to determine possible levels of grants and low interest loans for the District. The household income of the Town as a whole is high and the Committee believes the income level of the Fire District would be lower resulting in the availability of grants. The present Engineering Study is at a 60% completion level. The purpose of this information meeting is to present preliminary information and gather feedback concerning the various options under investigation for water in the District. George introduced Joe Duncan. Study Presentation Joe Duncan of Forcier and Aldrich presented four alternatives to a change in the water supply method to Ascutney Fire District #2 (see attached). He first explained the process of the study and gave a brief history of the water system and how we got to this point. Option One (6” water lines and hydro-pneumatic system) - includes the present infrastructure arrangement with upgrades of piping and system components and no fire hydrants (fire flow) built into the system. Options Two and Three (12” water lines with Hydrants and storage tank) – these two options continue to use the present well system but add a large storage tank and water lines that are sized to provide fire protection within the District. The storage tank needs to be located at a topographic elevation of approx. 600 feet to provide sufficient water pressure using a gravity distribution system. Option Two has a storage tank located in the Thrasher Road area where a 600-foot elevation exists on the west side of I-91. Option Three is the same infrastructure with a storage tank located in the area of Exit 8 and 131 where there is a 600-foot elevation for the storage tank needs. Option Four (same as above option 2&3 but a water connection with Windsor) – this option continues to use a storage tank with pipe sized for fire protection but eliminates the use of the present wells and uses a pipe connection with the Town of Windsor water line located in the Cedar Hills Nursing Home area. This option would eliminate the wellhead protection zone presently in place around the wells. The zone protects land upstream water wells and can prohibit development and septic tank restrictions for replacements or new systems. Potential Funding Sources – there are various funding sources for this project that includes the normal State of Vermont Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, USDA Rural Development Grant and Loan Program, and a Federal Earmark. We cannot take advantage of combinations of the above. Grants are based on local household income and an income survey will be done as explained above, to establish the level of grants available to the District. Opened up for Questions In the option of new pipes, what happens to the old pipes? They are left as they are in the ground. New mains would go in town right of ways. Are you looking at HDPE pipes? (High Density Polyethylene) Yes. or PVC(Polyvinylchloride) pipes. How long could the current system last as is? Some sections are better than others and some sections are nearly failing now. New steel or plastic pipes have a 50-year life expectancy. Income Survey George Murray explained the income survey process with a letter being sent out to the District residents explaining the process followed by a letter from USDA employee Tom Clark who does this as part of his job. Surveys are confidential and not seen by the Fire District, only USDA. For property owners who reside outside of the Fire District and therefore, canʼt vote on this issue, whose income will be recorded on such properties? Mailed surveys will go to the residents. For example, renters/tenants would complete the income survey information. John Arrison offered the information that the Town of Weathersfield is considered wealthy, but an income survey may prove that the Village of Ascutney is not and therefore, is eligible for grants and residents may want to vote for water supply improvements. Which of the four options does the committee prefer? George Murray, committee chair, replied that the committee members were presented with these Options at the previous Prudential Committee Meeting a couple of weeks ago and have not had a meeting to discuss the pro and con of each Option. He did comment that if the Windsor Town water supply could be used it would free up the wellhead protection area for development but that would come at a greater cost. John Arrison noted that there once was a question of connection to the Claremont, NH water supply. George said that he would check into it again and also said he had asked the question about two years ago and Claremont was not interested. What about cutting across properties and right of ways? Right of way can be purchased or property owner can donate land. Excluding tanks, the goal is to be on municipal right of ways. Tank sites require easements with the property owner(s). Joe Duncan indicated that a line up Route 5, continuing the Windsor water line through Thrasher Road to the 600ʼ elevation required would be an ideal scenario. Joe asked what is the value of water? Currently, the Ascutney users are paying about $200 a year. State and USDA funding is based on percentage of the median household income. The Vermont State median cost for water service is approximately $400-500 a year. Joe also addressed options about collecting fees. One option could be only users would pay maintenance and use costs. Bond repayment would be similar to a tax either in a flat fee to each property or on taxed assessed value. However, the Prudential Committee will address this when they prepare the By-Laws if a system is constructed and the District Residents will review and approve By-Laws. Would a connection to Windsor Town lines mean payment to them? The Fire District intends to own and would operate the system, paying Windsor for water only. There would be a fee for the water from Windsor and long-term contracts are typically negotiated that have annual escalators included. The District has the option of hiring a water system operator or contracting with Windsor or other operator to maintain and operate the District system The options listed as #2,3,4 have fire protection included and there would be fire hydrants installed. This could result in some decrease of individual fire insurance costs, however it cannot be determined until a system is in place and the insurance companies review the system. How would the pipes go over the interstate? A pipeline would go across the bridge with an insulated pipe hanging under the bridge structure. How old is the Weston Heights to Cedar Hill water line? Is there a decline from Weston Heights to Cedar Hill? The line to Cedar Hills was installed about ten years ago and is an 8-inch water line. A connection to that pipe would require a booster pump station to provide pressure to fill the storage tank in the District Would you adapt for future growth? Yes. The tank is sized for 20 years into the future. Does the public service board determine the rate of water from Windsor? No, these are local agreements defining reasonable rates. Would there be recourse if Windsor town decided to raise the rate? Probably the rate would be determined by proportional flow according to Jim Mullen, Town Manager. There are many shared operations in the state with working agreements. Has there been discussion about if the existing wells have to be disconnected? If a homeowner had an existing well and also connected to the water system, what is called a cross connection occurs where one water source could migrate into the other and contaminate the system. Cross connections are not allowed in water systems and wells would have to be shut down for personal in-home use. Jim Mullen commented that three quarters of yearly costs in any system is put toward paying the bond. Next steps: The Prudential Committee will look at income survey results, potential funding sources, debt service on users only or on all Ascutney residents within the Fire district, plus fine tuning of the four options. Then another public information session will be held. Gloria Murray, Clerk of Prudential Committee
Annual Meeting May 3, 2010 7:30 PM
Call to order at 7:33 PM
George Murray, Chair, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to vote on the articles as provided to the residents for review. He introduced the members of the committee and asked for nominations for moderator.
Article 1: To elect a moderator for a term of one (1) year.
Daniel Kelin was nominated, seconded and approved as moderator.
Article 2: To elect a member of the Prudential Committee for a term of three (3) years.
Everett Bingham was nominated, seconded and approved for a three year term
Article 3: To elect a clerk for the district for a term of one (1) year.
Gloria Murray was nominated, seconded and approved for a one year term
Article 4: To elect a treasurer for the district for a term of one (1) year.
Marion Ballam was nominated, seconded and approved for a one year term
Article 5: Shall the voters of Ascutney Fire District No. 2 approve the By Laws of the District as presented?
George Murray reviewed information related to this article. The By Law as written is similar to those of other VT fire districts. In particular that the Prudential Committee for Fire Dist. #2 is similar to a Municipality in powers, i.e., it can determine land acquisitions, rights of way, and taxation within the district.
moved, seconded and approved
Article 6: Shall the voters of Ascutney Fire District No. 2 adopt the manager form of governance, pursuant to Title 24, Section 1240, of the Vermont Statutes Annotated?
The Weathersfield Town Manager can take care of day-to-day business for fire dist. #2.
moved, seconded and approved
Article 7: Shall the voters of Ascutney Fire District No. 2 direct that the Municipal Manager collect all taxes due to the District and to perform all the duties now conferred by law upon the collector of taxes, in accordance with the provisions of Title 24, Section 1236 (10) of the Vermont Statutes Annotated?
Pru Russell questioned how the tax collection would work within just the fire district as indicated with particular boundaries. It was explained, by George Murray, that the Prudential Committee would be given the authority to collect taxes for the purposes needed by the fire district.
moved, seconded and approved
Article 8: Shall the voters of the Ascutney Fire District No. 2 authorize the Prudential Committee to borrow money, if necessary, to pay current expenses in anticipation of fees in accordance with the provisions of Title 24, Section 1786, of the Vermont Statutes Annotated?
moved, seconded and approved
Article 9: Shall the voters of the Ascutney Fire District No. 2 authorize the Prudential Committee to expend such grant monies, gifts, or bequests which may be received by the Ascutney Fire District No. 2, in accordance with the terms of said grants, gifts, or bequests?
moved, seconded and approved
Article 10: Shall the voters of the Ascutney Fire District No. 2 approve the expenditure of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the support and operation of the Fire District? Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) shall be raised by property taxation, allowing the Prudential Committee to set the appropriate tax rate.
George Murray explained that the $6,000 request at this time was to cover the anticipated expenditures that will be required by the Prudential Committee such as mailings, printing and copying, attorney fees, and liability insurance. A home worth 100,000 would pay $17.80 annually (.0178 per $100). This would show as a line item on the annual town property tax form for taxpayers.
Pru Russell asked what would happen to the fire district should the committee decide to provide water by connecting to the Windsor Town water supply. George Murray explained that the fire district would be the entity overseeing and "operating" a water system with a connection to Windsor water. The other option being, improvements to the existing system if the District takes over the system and becomes the operator. Users would pay for water in either case and the fire district would oversee this payment. George indicated that these are the two options aside from doing nothing at this time.
Flo Ann asked if not only "users" of the water would pay taxes, but also those who have the water main going near their properties within the fire district. George Murray explained that there are three options: 1. Current users on the Country Estates system would belong to the new system and pay for what they use, that would include costs of improvements; 2. All existing and potential users within the Fire District would be required to connect; or, 3. Those not connecting at the time of the main line installation would pay a "penalty" for connecting in the future.
Caroline Taylor asked if we (meaning fire district residents) would vote to decide future plans as they develop. The answer from George Murray was yes, the voters would be given the opportunity to vote on the process and expenses as needed along the way.
Lisa Sargent (non-resident of fire district) asked if every property would be taxed, including individual mobile home owners. George Murray indicated that each individual would pay taxes.
Lisa Sargent also asked if the voters hadn't already approved spending by the Prudential Committee. George Murray explained that the article approval is required. She continued, if a water supply system were decided on, then more money would be required. Every time more money is needed will you reconvene a meeting. George Murray replied that meetings would be held to gain approval for spending as needed.
Pru Russell asked why those who own property within the district but aren't residents, can't vote (even if primary residence is within another area of the Town of Weathersfield). George Murray indicated that this is a State Statute.
moved, seconded and approved
Article11: To transact any other business deemed proper when met.
George Murray explained that a loan has been approved to pay for the engineering study. This includes an income survey of the fire district only. The income average within the fire district is likely to be low enough to qualify for grants and low to no interest loans. Forcier Aldrich and Associates engineering firm has been retained to perform the engineering study. Information from the study will be sent out to fire district residents to update progress and public meetings will be held to present and explain the findings.
Community block grants are available for sewer service studies and Ascutney may be able to apply for grants to fund a study for the Fire District. The Town of Windsor has received a request from Cedar Hills Care Center on Route 5 for sewer service and it may be beneficial for the Fire District to be included in that project.
The audience was invited to attend Prudential Meetings that are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:30PM. Warnings of such meetings are posted in town hall, post office, Country Estates and the local store.
Lisa Sargent asked when the income survey would be done. It will begin as soon as USDA approves conducting the survey.
moved, seconded and approved
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Murray, Clerk
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