Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Hervey Court water abatement

Approved 3-0

After a water main break repaired on July 22, 2026, the systems operator suggested a 300 gallon water rebate for six affected properties on Hervey Court and Railroad Avenue. The commissioners approved a 300 gallon abatement (a bill reduction) for the October billing cycle for those six properties. The treasurer will send letters to the owners.

Water shut-off process and Rules and Regulations amendment

Credit card agreement approved 3-0; shut-off change agreed, no vote recorded

The commissioners decided to drop the door hanger from the shut-off process. A final shut-off notice will be mailed with the shut-off date and no further notice. The treasurer will post a public hearing to amend the district's Rules and Regulations to match. The commissioners also approved a credit card agreement so ratepayers can pay by credit card.

Board member's outside meter bond fee abatement

Approved 3-0

The commissioners approved an abatement (bill reduction) of $186.00 for a person who was billed the bond fee on an outside meter by mistake.

Yacht Club abatement

Approved 3-0

The commissioners approved a $116.99 abatement for the Yacht Club. It was billed $16.99 twice by mistake, and $100.00 for a backflow preventer charge that is no longer required because the club planned to connect to the water system.

Resident's invoice abatement

Approved 3-0

The commissioners approved a $208.00 abatement for a customer who was mistakenly invoiced double for the bond, meter and sewer charges on the April 2026 invoice.

Yacht Club water meter for boat engine flushing

The Yacht Club asked about a formal water meter for flushing boat engines. The district's water services were estimated at $5,000, with possible extra costs for digging and pavement repair. The district needs a curb stop (a shut-off valve) and a meter pit (an underground box that holds the meter). A Yacht Club member said there is no formal agreement between the club and the district. An existing curb stop can be used. A commissioner suggested waiving the base fee and charging a $50.00 connection fee. The chair suggested setting the connection fee once the completed application comes in. The club must get permission from the property owner, the Town, to install the meter pit. Yacht Club members and district staff will visit the town landing to pick a spot, and the club will ask a contractor to come estimate the digging. The treasurer gave the club a water connection application.

Radio antennas for water meters

A Core & Main representative explained the radio antennas the commissioners earlier approved buying for all water meters. They fit over the existing touchpad and let staff read meters by driving past. The signal usually reaches about 1,000 feet in line of sight. Reads are stored for three years on the FlexRead cloud platform. Driving through town more often can help find leaks. A later upgrade to a fixed base station (FlexNet) would allow real-time leak detection and remote shut-off. One base station costs about $50,000 and money can be put in a capital reserve fund for it. The current antennas would still work with that upgrade. The treasurer will run a report to count how many antennas are needed. The representative will then give a firm quote and needs about 4 weeks of lead time. The chair said the goal is to have all antennas installed for the October reading.

Resident rate increase questions

A sewer-only ratepayer said his bill rose a lot and that he seemed to have had the elderly exemption before. The chair said the district's elderly exemption requires getting the town's elderly tax exemption, and the treasurer confirmed he does not receive it. He was also told sewer rates went up in June. Another resident asked about her water and sewer bill increase. Commissioners said rates rose because of higher repair and maintenance costs, a budget deficit from the prior year, and no rate increases since 2022. She said she found nothing on the website or in the minutes about the increase. A commissioner said a budget analysis was posted on the website before the public hearing, and the hearing was posted in the newspaper, post office, town hall and website. It was decided to put an explanation of the rate increase in the library's quarterly newsletter.

Well #6 cleaning and drought update

The systems operator said there is a moderate drought and several wells have had low levels. Rain has helped the shallow wells. He suggested cleaning out Well #6 this fall. Commissioners agreed not to give Underwood Engineers the rate study data, because the firm is under contract to find water, not to do utility rate studies.

Wastewater treatment plant brick wall repair

The systems operator said the plant is meeting all state and federal permits. The back brick wall at the wastewater treatment plant is falling apart. He received a $6,700 repair estimate and suggested adding it to next year's budget and fixing it in 2027.

Trust and escrow account consolidation

A commissioner and the treasurer met with the district's bank representative. There is money in escrow accounts, and the bank suggested combining the accounts into a contingency fund. The Trustees of the Trust Funds said that to take money from the district's trust fund, the commissioners must send a letter with proof of payment stating the amount, and the Trustees will write a check. No vote was recorded.