ROCKINGHAM — Municipal manager Willis “Chip” Stearns III told village trustees last week that ground water was leaking into the two new buildings constructed during the Phase I upgrades at the water plant.
Stearns asked the trustees to grant him authority to award a bid before winter to install drainage and correct the seepage. The trustees unanimously approved. Stearns said the cost of repairs will be funded by the RF3-308 (Water) bond.
In January 2014, the Water System Improvements (SRF Loan No. RF3-308-1) bond for more than $4 million was authorized by the board for the water improvements. In January of this year, the board approved a restructuring of the loan at 3 percent interest.
Stearns noted that the board had previously adopted the water budget for fiscal year 2016, and discussed that the rates would remain the same as fiscal year 2015. He also recommended that the minimum step be dropped by 100 cubic feet.
However, he said the board has not approved these rates and bills are due to go out at the end of this month. The board approved the water rates for FY 2016 to be the same rate as FY2015, but to lower the step by 100 cubic feet.
Stearns gave the board an update on the ongoing water project in Bellows Falls:
• Route 5 North is complete, a final inspection has been done, and Stearns is awaiting the final invoicing.
• Phase 1 (Water Plant) done by JP Sicard is complete. However, Stearns noted he is in discussion with JP Sicard concerning some disagreements, and the village attorney is involved.
• Morgan's Field, done by JP Sicard is also complete and awaiting final invoice.
• Henry/School Street, done by Bazin Brothers, has been on hold pending approval of the Hadley/Chase/Oak Streets. These have not been approved and the project will be buttoned up and paved.
Stearns said he is still awaiting approval of the pipe bursting on Route 5 and it appears that this project will be on hold until spring.
• Work on Hadley, Chase, Oak, Burt, and Mill street swill go out to bid in the spring.
Under budget updates, Stearns told the board water staff overtime is at 32 percent, primarily because personnel was on site during the ongoing projects.
In addition, power outages caused by recent storms have resulted in more work for the on-call operator. This has also resulted in purchase of additional universal power source (UPS) equipment at $125 each. Stearns said they are doing the job and protecting “much more expensive” equipment.
He told the board the Griswold Drive pump station's 20-plus-year-old screen blew out with the most recent power outage and alternative equipment is being sought.