MINUTES
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
April 19, 1999

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Thomas A. Gross, Sr. and Mabel Mumford-Pautz, Medford Capel, Utilities Commission Manager, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Gross moved that the minutes from the meeting of March 15, 1999 be accepted as presented, was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey stated that the Utilities Commission has cash on hand and in banks on April 19, 1999 of $239,394.92.

Mayor Bailey called on Mr. Capel for his report. Mr. Capel reported that the Health Department has advised that the Town should have new chlorinating equipment at the water plant. He said there is another town which is changing their system and we can get their two year equipment for about $4300. He said it would then cost $500 or $600 to install the equipment. This equipment new would sell for $12,000. The used equipment will be available in June or July. He said the chlorinator would work automatically along with the water pumps.

Mr. Capel said that Mr. Ingersoll and he had been working on the Risk Management Plan required by the EPA. Mr. Capel said that after discussions with the EPA and private consulting businesses, they found that Chestertown would not have to do the RMP if we reduced the amount of chlorine stored. He said they will have one 2000 lb. cylinder of chlorine in use and another stored at another location off site. The requirement for filing a Risk Management Program with the EPA would be removed if only one 2000 lb. cylinder of chlorine is stored or being used on one site. The requirement for sulfur dioxide is 4500 lbs. and we will drop down to 2 cylinders of that chemical (4000 lbs.).

Mr. Capel said he had looked into the Town getting a chlorine detector for the water treatment plant and a chlorine detector and a sulfa dioxide detector for the lagoon. The presence of these detectors will help with the OSHA requirements for safety. He said that the detector for the water plant would cost $2620 and the detectors for the lagoon would cost $2950. Mr. Ingersoll said these detectors are something that can be added for safety, although there has never been an incident or accident with the chemicals. He said the building can also be closed up more tightly to prevent the escape of gas to the outside. He said the EPA was ironically encouraging governments to reduce the amount of chemicals stored on site, however, the trucking industry which carries the cylinders has no similar regulation by Interstate Commerce. Consequently trucks and trains are running back and forth on the highways at 80 mph with these materials. He said neither Maryland, Pennsylvania or Delaware would accept delegation of these new laws from the EPA because they are unfunded mandates. He said the Maryland Department of the Environment will not touch these programs.

Mayor Bailey asked if the chlorinating equipment and chlorine detectors were items for the next budget or for this year. Mr. Capel said the chlorinating equipment will not be available until June or July. Mr. Ingersoll said the LGIT $1000 grant can be used and the detectors. He said they could probably be purchased in this year's budget.

Mr. Capel said we got a $1000 grant from the Local Government Insurance Trust as a safety grant. He said that $1000 could be used toward the purchase of the chlorine detectors.

Mr. Capel said they had a problem with roots in a sewer line on Water Street. He described the use of the new television camera equipment in locating the problem in the line. He said they were able to locate the roots and found the problem at the joint of a concrete pipe with a terra cotta pipe. He said it was repaired with PVC pipe.

Mr. Capel said there was also a small water leak in that same area. He said in looking for the small leak, they hit the line and then had a larger leak which has been repaired. He said they left steel plates over the hole for the night and they will finish the work on Tuesday.

Mayor Bailey said she would entertain a motion for the purchase of the chlorine and sulfa dioxide detectors. Mr. Capel said he would put these out for bids. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that Mr. Capel be authorized to advertise for bids for the detectors as discussed, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey asked if Mr. Capel wanted a motion to purchase the used chlorinating equipment. Mr. Capel said it probably would not be available until June. Mr. Ingersoll suggested that the Council go ahead and authorize Mr. Capel to purchase the used chlorinating equipment at that price if it becomes available sooner. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz made the motion to allow Mr. Capel to proceed, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mr. Capel said he would be attending the Rural Waterworks Meeting in Ocean City next week. He said he would also like to attend the American Waterworks Conference in September.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any questions. Carolyn Beachy asked how long a 2000 lb. tank of chlorine would last at the lagoon. Mr. Capel said an average of 100 lbs. a day was used, but it does vary a little depending on the weather. He said during the summer the sun and wind tends to evaporate the chlorine somewhat and a little more would be used then.

Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Gross and carried unanimously.

Mr. Gross moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:52 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman (Stenographer)

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey (Mayor )