Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Underwood Engineers water expansion contract

The commissioners agreed to have one commissioner handle disbursement requests. The chair signed the contract.

A representative of Underwood Engineers presented a contract for the water expansion and treatment project. The chair signed it as Commission Chair. The chair reminded the board that the Governor and Executive Council will act on the District's $2.9 million loan application on July 29. Every transducer (a sensor that measures water levels) was broken, so there is limited data for the consultant from GZA, who returns July 13 to start studying groundwater recharge. Phase I of the water exploration on the Society for the Protection of NH Forests Woodlot property begins this month. The commissioners agreed that one commissioner will handle payment requests during the project.

Wastewater updates: nitrogen permit, pretreatment, Hutchinson Sealing

The commissioners agreed to send Hutchinson Sealing a letter allowing one year to complete the required updates.

The systems operator said the District is meeting the Great Bay Total Nitrogen General Permit and expects a large lab bill for toxicity testing. Coed Sportswear is meeting the Industrial Pretreatment Program rules. Hutchinson Sealing Systems is struggling to meet oil and grease limits and is holding wastewater in a 15,000 gallon tank. The operator recommended letting them keep running with monthly testing reported to him. A meter with a backflow device will be put on their fire pond. Hutchinson will write a procedure for the commissioners to change as needed, and may send monthly data from its main meter. The operator said Hutchinson claims to have a deduct meter (one that measures water not sent to the sewer) that has not been reported, and the District has no record of it. The commissioners agreed to send Hutchinson a letter giving one year to complete required updates. The operator will find the line size and contact Core & Main about a meter.

Increase operator hourly wages to $32.00

Motion to raise both water operators' wages to $32.00 per hour effective immediately carried 3-0.

A commissioner suggested raising the pay of the two water operators, who each make $21.00 per hour. Their last raise was in 2022. The board voted to raise their pay to $32.00 per hour, effective immediately.

Level 2 water ban and town landing water use

The District is under a Level 2 Water Ban, which includes no washing boats or cars. The water at the town landing will stay off during the ban. Self-reporting of water use at the landing will no longer be allowed, because the District must report all water use to the State. A meter must be installed and read by the District's meter reader. Members of the Yacht Club said little water is used at the landing and only club members know the hose combination. They want to flush boat motors, not wash boats. The commissioners suggested the club install a meter pit and a meter to the District's specifications.

Rain barrel system for yacht club motor flushing

The District's systems operator suggested a rain barrel system off the pump station building to collect water for flushing boat motors. A Yacht Club member confirmed they do not need drinkable water for this. The operator will look into it and start the process. The club members present agreed.

Garden Club water fill and Summer Street meter pit

A Garden Club member said the Fire Department fills its water tanks once a year for the club to water flower beds around town. The chair suggested the club ask the Fire Department to fill the tanker from another source instead of the District's treated water. If that is not possible, the board will talk about it again. The District plans to put a meter pit and spigot at the end of Summer Street, as part of the town's stormwater and water line replacement project, which the club could use in the future.

Cash reserve policy draft

The commissioners received a draft Cash Reserve Policy and will review it. The policy would let the District use leftover budget money at year end to fund capital reserve funds or savings accounts.

Waterworth software and rate module purchase

The chair and treasurer attended a Teams meeting with a Waterworth representative, which was recorded for the other commissioners and the operator to watch. Waterworth offered to sell the software directly rather than through the Granite State Water Works Association. A rate calculation module is included, for a total of $4,200. The next Teams meeting is July 13 at 5:30 PM.

Swamscott, Pleasant and Summer Street water line replacement

A commissioner said the Road Agent will rebuild Swamscott, Pleasant and Summer Streets, and the water lines will be replaced at that time. The estimate is 320 feet of new lines costing $40,000 to $50,000. The District will use money each year for water main replacement.