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I'm going to call this meeting to order the water transition and evaluation committee dated July 29, 2020. Welcome, everyone, to 7.30 p.m. I need to read this blurb. This meeting is being held remotely via Zoom as an alternative means a public access pursuant to an order issued by the governor of Massachusetts, dated March 12, 2020, so spending certain provisions of the open meeting law.

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You're hereby advised that this meeting in all communications during this meeting may

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be recorded and actually is by the town of Hang-Up and Accordance for the Open Meeting

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Law.

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If any participant wishes to record this meeting, please notify the chair at the start of

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the meeting, which is now in accordance with Master and Law 3820F so that the chair may

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inform all other participants of said recording.

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So, if you are recording, please raise the wave your hand as indicated on the zone.

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And I'll assume if you are not indicating that, then there's no other recording taking place.

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Great, well thank you.

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So, let me walk through what our agenda is for this evening.

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We've got, it's an exciting time for the water transition.

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We're on the five-yard line.

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Maybe the three-yard line.

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So tonight, here's what we're going to do.

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We're going to just quickly review two meetings minutes.

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I'll provide an update on the transition status.

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We're going to review the 10-year financial assumptions.

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Mary Power will be joining us in 11 minutes or so.

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And she's in the middle of doing interviews, talent bank interviews, actually, from the town.

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So she's going to step away from them for half an hour and provide us and walk through the 10 year financial projections, which I've shared with the committee.

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And I'll post online so people can see it.

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Then we're going to talk about kind of next steps, which is our committee is going to interact with the town on two important studies.

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The capital asset study and the cost of service study which is also referred to as a rate

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in rate structure studies and I'll walk through how we think how I think today that's

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going to work and may change but and then we'll assign folks and the committee to participate

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in each one of those two studies.

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We're going to just touch briefly on and I think it's more of a putting this in your head

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which is discuss evaluation methodology.

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at some point we're going to drop the transition name

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from our committee and we will become the water

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evaluation committee, which effectively will pursue

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and look at the governance structure.

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We'll look at to see if things are working internally

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within the various towns and we'll look to see also

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how the third party operator is doing

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and as to a certain extent.

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And then we will suggest back to the town

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in some format, which is yet to be decided.

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If we feel the structure is appropriate today,

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or if we think the changes should be made.

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So I think there's going to be some metrics

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we want to apply, and we'll get to that.

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Certainly we will take comments from the public

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as they arise, and then we'll talk about next steps

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and meeting dates.

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Sound good, everybody?

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Great, perfect.

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So let's briefly go to the minutes, if you don't mind.

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So let's start with the 7-7 meeting minutes,

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and thank you for your patience,

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and I just got them to you not too long ago so I apologize for the for the last minute submission of them to you.

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So I'm happy to give you a moment or so to review them unless you already have.

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And then I

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have I'm willing to make a motion to accept the 7 7 20 minutes.

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I'm going to do a roll call of acceptance, so David, how do you vote on these minutes?

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I move to accept.

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Dick.

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To accept.

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Right.

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I accept as well.

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So they pass.

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Since we do have a quorum tonight.

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Okay.

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I'm going to move to the 713 minute.

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Minute.

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Meeting drafts.

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Please.

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Give you a moment to review and then make a motion as appropriate.

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Is there a motion to accept these minutes?

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Oh,

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I'll move to accept.

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Right.

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Second.

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I'll second.

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David, how do you vote?

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I vote to accept.

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Dick.

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To accept.

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I vote to accept as well.

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Great, thanks.

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So both those minutes have been accepted.

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So let me give you a status on the transition.

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Where do I start?

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A lot has gone on.

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So, the exciting news is that on 7-31, which is on Friday, the purchase will be moving

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forward.

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We accept the property and the transfer of the water license staying in the curse.

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And we send out a large payment back to ever source for the purchase of the water system.

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The municipal bonds were funded at a very attractive rate of 2.14%, which was significantly

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below the anticipated and the plan for rate and all the financial miles, which was 3.3

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and 3.4%.

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So, it's a significant savings on a long-term basis to the rate payer, and I think you'll

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see that reflected in the 10-year projections that Mary will walk through for us.

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So, that's really great news, that's a 30-year walk-in rate.

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The town has the ability to call those bonds early, should rates even go lower.

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I believe the call provision is in eight years from now.

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So it's probably unlikely they will go much lower.

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This is historically low rates.

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And again, the town was the beneficiary of an extremely low rate environment.

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And also the beneficiary of, as I read it last meeting, the AAA, AAA, AAA confirmation from the three rainy agencies,

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is certainly helped facilitate the bond issuance and certainly helped us achieve the low interest rate that we got.

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So it's great news. Other than that, so there's continual calls going on internally between Suez, who's the third party operator with the town and also with aquarium in terms of making sure that the transition goes smoothly on the 31st.

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So, what's occurring kind of behind the scenes is that

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Suez is on premise. They've got a couple of trucks there.

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It's outside the water treatment plan, which is for staging purposes, personnel are on hand.

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They are all very much following COVID-related restrictions and ensuring that only certain numbers are in the plan any time.

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Workstations are in.

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So, we, in fact, brought in our own SCADA work, so a Suez brought in their own SCADA work

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stations, that data is being transferred, and the license is being transferred over to,

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to, to Suez, GIS data, which effectively is a map of the entire system.

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It is a converted, it's, I believe, already converted onto Suez, so they will be up and

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running on minute one of ownership.

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As we reported last time, all the employees that were hired

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and worked in the facility, other than one administrative

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assistant have chosen to accept positions with Suez,

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Darren Dirt, who was a senior operator

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at the Water Treatment Plan previously for Aquarian.

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Actually, it was promoted, and he's

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becomes the assistant project manager for Suez,

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which is for Darren of promotion, which is a great thing.

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So he's part of the really the management team.

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He's really a key cog to the operation of the system.

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So there's going to be a lot of personnel continuity

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on the system, which is great.

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Suez has already brought in one of quality people,

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looking at the treatment plan, how things are currently treated,

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looking at the operation.

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So they're going to hit the ground running again

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not min-in-one, they are well positioned to take over the operation, so there shouldn't

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be a hiccup from any perspective at all.

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We've worked a lot of communication.

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You probably have received in the mail a customer letter in the last day or two, which details

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and announces the transition and announces some of the key information relative to customer

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service.

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So for those folks that may be watching this independently, there's a couple of key points

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to understand about this transition. One is that, again, the town takes ownership and

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is responsible for supervising Suez as a contract operator.

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Because of the timing

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involved in transferring billing, which frankly is a pretty complicated thing now that I really

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understand what goes on in the mechanics of billing, Aquarium will continue to provide

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a billing service is for the next six months.

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However, so if with any billing

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questions you call Aquarian, with any start or stop questions, if you want to

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stop service or transfer service or start service, you call Aquarian. But if

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you have water quality issues, if you have a one or a quarter break, any of those

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kinds of issues or emergencies you call Suez and the number is listed there and that's

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a 24-7 number and you'll know that it's a local number. So that number goes directly

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in the water treatment plan. So it's going to be folks that have local knowledge and certainly

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there's kind of emergency backup services associated with that number. So it's going to be a really

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important phone number for folks to have access to and it's written in the letter.

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Moving forward, Suez has plans to open up a local office somewhere in Hingham.

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They've identified a couple of different spots and they will be fully staffed with three customer

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service people. We expect that office to be open within the next six months. Also within the

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next six months, Suez will take over that billing process and they'll be fully responsible for

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billing at that point forward. So as a repair, which all of us are and we write the checks,

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Here's what's going to happen.

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So on the final day, 731, a query will effectively do an analysis to see how much water people

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use up to that date.

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Then about five days later, they'll send out a final bill to all of us, and that bill

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will indicate effectively the revenue that's been generated for the water usage during

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the query and ownership period.

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Now, moving forward, you'll receive during your regular billing cycle, a next bill.

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So that could be as early as a week after the 31st.

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Bill's are not all sent out at the same time.

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What I also learned is that bills are staggered.

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So actually, bills are sent out almost every day of every data, you know, 200 people effectively

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over the course of the three-month billing cycle.

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So bills aren't all set out at once.

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They're sent out staggered on a daily basis.

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So beginning about three or four days later,

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after the end of the month, those folks

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that would normally have received a bill for three months

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worth of water billing will receive a bill for five days

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worth of water billing.

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So it's going to be a little bit confusing for folks

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and we hope to put a lot of information on the bill

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and it inserts another web to help educate folks it will be that bill will be rebranded

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where river water so it'll look like a new bill from us as opposed to from aquarium and

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the account number will change so if you're like me and you have the electronic bill pay

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or even in fact they've set up the bill to be paid automatically that service will stop

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and when you re-enter your bill you'll have to re-enter a new account number the mailing

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address will remain the same but it's going to be an adjustment for customers for that first

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wherever water bill they receive so for everyone out there make sure you read what it was sent

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and make sure you follow the directions and you include your new account and run those bills.

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Now we have in place a system that if revenue is inadvertently sent to a query in we have a

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reconciliation process with a query in place so that if somebody sent it incorrectly to a query

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and we have the ability to reconcile and pull that revenue back.

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Advice for us if somebody may send a payment to wherever that was really entitled to

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aquarium.

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So there's some reconciliation services built in to ensure that everyone gets a revenue

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when the payments is necessary.

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But for the purposes of rate pairs, it's important to look at your bill, which you may not have

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looked at before.

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should be again, rates haven't changed, the building structure hasn't changed, the bills

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will look a little bit different, but it's primarily with our logo and some different

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Burby engine in the bill.

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But effectively, everyone needs to be aware that that's probably the biggest change to

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this whole thing that they need to be aware of.

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We also set it up.

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So a folks call acquiring with the service issue, acquiring will notify immediately Suez,

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and Suez will send to acquiring any building inquiry.

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So know that there's a handoff already planned

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between the two entities.

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A query will also continue to let folks know

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of any service, major service issues that have occurred

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over the next six months or so,

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because we want to build in our own sort of communication

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process for customers, but we don't want anything to fall off.

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So over the next six months we'll build our own email

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and reverse 911 to tell customers about water issues.

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But in the meantime, they can still expect

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to receive those notices.

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They'll just be still from aquarium.

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So there's a lot of coordination going on

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between all the parties.

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Everyone's working very collaboratively.

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It's a good team effort to be appreciated.

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Everything Aquarium is doing.

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I think Suiz is gonna be a great long-term partner.

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Actually, so here's Mary.

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So I'll fill in on some other details, but she's been nice enough to step out of the other meeting that she's in and to spend some time with the committee to review the 10-year financial projections of Mary. Welcome, and thank you for taking time to join us. Right, nice to see everybody tonight.

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So, Jim, could I just, I have a question about the bills, but would it be better for me to ask that question after Mary?

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If you don't mind, David, because we just have Mary for a short period of time.

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Sure.

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Billing is an ongoing discussion to make sure it's absolutely done right and communicated properly to folks.

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So happy to answer any questions afterwards.

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Hey Mary, if you'd like, I'm going to throw on the screen the 10-year projections.

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That'd be great. It's small fun so that'll save me from having this piece of paper

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right up at my nose. Yeah, hopefully you'll be able to read it online

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too. We'll see if how successful we are. So just give me a moment while I pick the right

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file. Yeah. Thanks very much for adjusting. We're doing talent bank interviews. We started

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about 630, we're going until 9. So I appreciate your flexibility.

234
00:16:21,540 --> 00:16:23,620
Well, we appreciate you coming on.

235
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You know, maybe Jim, while you're loading that, but I'll just give a couple of headlines because

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you know, and you know, Dick, you and I have talked about this a little bit. I think David,

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We have also, the town essentially made the decision that because of the interest rate

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environment that we were in, that we decided to forego the one-year short-term borrowing

239
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that had been part of the consideration all the way along.

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And as part of that process, we actually went out to the credit rating agencies and we asked

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to be rated by all three credit rating agencies, and each of the three rating agencies affirmed

242
00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:22,620
the town's triple A bond rating. And, you know, those reports are available, and, you know,

243
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it's really the result of just really strong financial stewardship in the town.

244
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When we actually went out to borrow, which was a couple of weeks ago, our financial advisors told us

245
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that that week, they had never seen the market as good as it was, and the 30-year interest

246
00:17:43,340 --> 00:17:52,220
rate that the town realized on the financing of this water system acquisition was 2.145 percent.

247
00:17:53,760 --> 00:18:00,120
And you know, we are just so delighted about that interest rate. It helps all the rate payers.

248
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and the good news is that this water system is now financed.

249
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It's financed for the entire 30 years.

250
00:18:08,360 --> 00:18:13,120
What you see in front of you is a document that actually we put together

251
00:18:14,360 --> 00:18:19,140
really both to help the town as it was making the financing decisions,

252
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but also we wanted to demonstrate to the rating agencies

253
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the self-supporting nature of this operation.

254
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And so essentially what we've done here is we've built a 10-year projection that includes,

255
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you know, from a revenue standpoint, it assumes the current water rates and, you know,

256
00:18:42,260 --> 00:18:48,380
Dick, you may remember this, but during the acquisition, we talked about 10% rate increases

257
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every three years.

258
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So, you know, you see that reflected in, you see that reflected in the model.

259
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The last rate increase was in fiscal year 19.

260
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So we have a 10% rate increase built in for FY22.

261
00:19:06,220 --> 00:19:14,920
From a cost perspective, the really the two biggest costs in this water system profit statement

262
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is the operator contract with Suez, which for FY21 is going to be about $4.2 million.

263
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And the debt service on the borrowing.

264
00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:36,560
What you'll notice is that in fiscal year 21, our debt service payment is about $1.8 million.

265
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That pretty much represents one interest payment.

266
00:19:40,860 --> 00:19:46,400
When we borrow money in the town, we typically make semi-annual payments of both principal

267
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and interest, but the typical thing is, in the first year, there's one interest payment

268
00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:52,360
only.

269
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But if you look in the second year, the long-term debt is, it's about $5.5 million each year.

270
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You know, the other costs, the water superintendent, some administrative support, we've budgeted

271
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for seasonal construction inspectors, which were told as a more cost-effective way of paying

272
00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:23,680
for inspectors when water main projects are going on.

273
00:20:26,340 --> 00:20:33,880
I'd also mention that if you look under operating expenses, we actually, in the enterprise

274
00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:39,140
fund budget, added a quarter of a million dollars for what we call cash capital.

275
00:20:40,360 --> 00:20:45,080
And I just do want to talk about capital for a second, because I think the last time

276
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I was with you, we were having some discussion.

277
00:20:50,620 --> 00:20:59,760
In the Suez contract, so in the $4.2 million contract with Suez, based on the scope

278
00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:11,880
of services, Suez, that contract includes about $645,000 of maintenance and capital expenses.

279
00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:19,760
is basically what we said to Suez is if there's some sort of a repair that's needed and

280
00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:24,840
it costs less than $10,000, you Suez will pay for that.

281
00:21:26,340 --> 00:21:33,740
And if there's anything that is over $10,000, Suez pays for the first $10,000 and the town

282
00:21:33,740 --> 00:21:34,820
pays for the balance.

283
00:21:34,820 --> 00:21:44,000
And so the maintenance fund that is contained within the Suez fee is about $645,000.

284
00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:51,280
And so that includes things like the fire hydrants that Suez will replace every year

285
00:21:51,940 --> 00:21:55,080
or, you know, valves and stuff that breaks.

286
00:21:55,940 --> 00:22:03,920
In the enterprise fund budget, we've also got $250,000, which represents kind of the town's

287
00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:15,280
share of that. So that would be for the items, you know, if a if a water main breaks and the repair is $15,000, Sue has pays 10, the town pays five.

288
00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:22,240
So combined, you've got about $900,000 in cash capital for the year.

289
00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:33,500
and that that that seems to track pretty well with what we've seen in the last year as the town has you know during the good husbandry period.

290
00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:47,340
We also do this this statement also assumes that the town will be financing $2.7 million of capital improvements each year with debt.

291
00:22:48,360 --> 00:22:54,740
And so, again, what you see in the debt service in the debt service area of the statement

292
00:22:55,340 --> 00:23:03,360
is the debt service on those capital improvements, the debt service for typically that lags by

293
00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:08,820
one year. I'd make two final points before, you know,

294
00:23:11,120 --> 00:23:21,340
Before any questions, the first point I would make is that the annual billings in this water system right now with the current rates are about $12.9 million.

295
00:23:22,420 --> 00:23:33,200
And if you look at the expenses, the water system expenses are less than $12.9 million up until FY 24.

296
00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:40,440
So, again, this was us demonstrating to the rating agencies the self-sufficiency.

297
00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:47,440
One thing that did come up with the rating agencies is they asked us to calculate something

298
00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:55,980
called a debt service coverage ratio, which is basically the revenue budgeted surplus plus

299
00:23:55,980 --> 00:24:04,500
the debt service, the debt services divided into the sum of those numbers, and basically

300
00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:10,540
what the rating agencies have told us is if our debt service coverage ratio, they're

301
00:24:10,540 --> 00:24:18,160
saying at a minimum, we like it at 1.1, we like it even better if it's at 1.2. So that's

302
00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:23,200
going to be a ratio that we're going to watch quite a bit as we think about the timing and

303
00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:25,080
amount of future rate increases.

304
00:24:27,120 --> 00:24:31,780
You know, again, if you look at that tenure projection right now, the debt service coverage

305
00:24:31,780 --> 00:24:40,540
ratio is above what we've been asked to target in each of those 10 years.

306
00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:47,360
And then the last point I would just make is that we do have revenue budget at surplus in

307
00:24:47,840 --> 00:25:01,340
In this projection and you know based on enterprise fund accounting, if the water system has a surplus at the end of the year, that money has to stay in the enterprise fund, it can only be used for water.

308
00:25:02,360 --> 00:25:06,720
I think it would be great if we could have conversations about what to do with that surplus.

309
00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:13,680
us. You know, and we've talked about things like establishing a fund balance, increasing

310
00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:21,740
capital investment, maybe financing more of the capital with cash. I think there are

311
00:25:21,740 --> 00:25:27,700
a lot of possibilities, but the bottom line is that now that we have the cost of the operator

312
00:25:27,700 --> 00:25:35,220
and we have the cost of the debt service, the financial projections, and Dick, you may remember

313
00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:43,500
this from a year ago, the projections at that time were $48 million savings in town ownership,

314
00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:52,420
those have gone up by another $21 million. That was kind of a John Asher back to the envelope,

315
00:25:52,920 --> 00:26:00,140
but essentially the financials look even stronger than the decision a year ago,

316
00:26:00,140 --> 00:26:06,860
And the good news is that is that these big numbers are, you know, are all pretty well locked in.

317
00:26:09,420 --> 00:26:16,480
I'll maybe pause now to answer any specific questions. I know there's a lot of information here.

318
00:26:18,850 --> 00:26:21,830
So Mary, you're saying that the surplus is here could be used.

319
00:26:22,670 --> 00:26:26,030
Offset the borrowing requirements of the 2.7 million.

320
00:26:26,470 --> 00:26:30,930
You need initial years that we expect to be spending on the CAPEX.

321
00:26:30,930 --> 00:26:46,590
We could, we could, you know, David, I guess one of the things that we've been advised to do is to maybe establish some policies and some benchmarks that might guide current and future water commissioners.

322
00:26:47,010 --> 00:26:58,450
I think the first thing that I probably want to do just based on what I know right now is to establish a water enterprise fund fund balance or a rainy day fund.

323
00:26:58,450 --> 00:27:05,670
And I just kind of like the idea of having some cash available for a variety of purposes.

324
00:27:06,550 --> 00:27:14,250
And if I look and say, and again, I'm just looking at the town, we have a target in

325
00:27:14,250 --> 00:27:18,950
town government that our fund balance is 16 to 20% of our expenses.

326
00:27:19,750 --> 00:27:22,170
This is a more acid intensive business.

327
00:27:22,170 --> 00:27:27,990
So, if you just said, you know, you want 25% cash, that would be $3 million.

328
00:27:29,470 --> 00:27:37,710
So, you know, I probably looked to do that first, just to maintain the financial stability

329
00:27:37,710 --> 00:27:45,290
of the Center Prize Fund, but certainly financing more capital with cash or increasing

330
00:27:45,290 --> 00:27:53,050
the capital investment would be two very, I think, very smart things to look at.

331
00:27:54,010 --> 00:28:02,030
I agree, and I assume that the capital improvements line item here under debt service is borrowing

332
00:28:02,030 --> 00:28:05,890
the full amount, not subsidizing any of it from the surplus.

333
00:28:06,890 --> 00:28:07,110
Right.

334
00:28:07,450 --> 00:28:13,070
It's borrowing that service associated with $2.7 million every year.

335
00:28:13,070 --> 00:28:20,570
And again, remember two that in the operating expenses, there is between Suez and the town,

336
00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:24,270
about $900,000 in cash capital.

337
00:28:25,030 --> 00:28:33,550
I think as we, particularly over the next year, as we learn more about this water system,

338
00:28:34,050 --> 00:28:42,750
I think that that will give us some insight as to how to finance the necessary capital

339
00:28:42,750 --> 00:28:45,810
investment. I think we're going to have a much better picture of that.

340
00:28:47,530 --> 00:28:53,570
As usual, I'll have a different opinion in terms of using it for capital. I had mentioned

341
00:28:53,570 --> 00:29:01,510
the gym that most of this is going to go for long-term assets seven years ago. And this is probably

342
00:29:01,510 --> 00:29:06,570
given your time constraint, Mary. I know that there's going to be an opportunity to talk about it later.

343
00:29:06,570 --> 00:29:15,450
I would really say that I think it I would rather see it used in a different way. I think rainy day fund makes a lot of sense.

344
00:29:16,070 --> 00:29:32,650
But in terms of reducing the amount of borrowing for capital, basically what you're going to be doing is charging current day payers on a disproportionate sum for asset investments that are going to be 50 or 70 years in length.

345
00:29:32,650 --> 00:29:41,890
Yeah, you know, I will say that we've we've given a lot of thought and you know, did you help this on the financing the level payment versus level principle?

346
00:29:42,530 --> 00:29:54,750
One of the things as we were looking at the death structuring and things was the idea that we didn't want to necessarily overburden overburden rate payers within a certain period of time.

347
00:29:56,110 --> 00:29:59,970
So, you know, we...

348
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:12,160
I think what the water commissioners would be looking to do, supported by the superintendent, is to establish some financial policies in this first year that might guide some of those decisions.

349
00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:24,600
So I did have one specific Mr. Mary. I think in the initial financing, there was a $2.7

350
00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:31,800
billion allowance to take care of the first year's capital. And given the fact that you're starting

351
00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:37,360
with 11 months in the year, and I have an utter chance to read the source contract.

352
00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:43,360
I don't or committee is not at any discussion about how you're going to proceed with capital

353
00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:43,960
programs.

354
00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:51,280
I know a query and follow a PUC reviewed or a P process, but I guess the question which

355
00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:59,680
I have is if in fact there was $1.7 million that was freed up as a part of the initial financing.

356
00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:03,040
And by the way, congratulations on doing it that way.

357
00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:03,800
Thank you.

358
00:31:04,220 --> 00:31:10,480
Mark, but we'll realistically, we'll,

359
00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:16,660
we'll reward our system, have to keep the ability to really spend $2.7 million during

360
00:31:16,660 --> 00:31:17,380
the first year.

361
00:31:17,640 --> 00:31:17,740
Yeah.

362
00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:24,160
Or is there really some surplus that is going to be left over because of the time frame,

363
00:31:24,940 --> 00:31:26,880
the RFP process and whatever.

364
00:31:27,740 --> 00:31:28,080
Sure.

365
00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:36,520
So two things on that. First of all, in terms of the initial borrowing and remember town meeting authorized $114 million.

366
00:31:37,420 --> 00:31:46,560
There was $2.7 million of capital in that, which actually the town has spent that plus a little more during good husbandry.

367
00:31:47,620 --> 00:31:54,060
Remember that the day after the town meeting vote, any capital expenditures became the responsibility of the town.

368
00:31:54,060 --> 00:32:00,280
So in the last year during the good husbandry period, we've invested a little bit

369
00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:07,120
over $3 million in capital spending, mostly water main projects, but also some

370
00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:15,940
of the kind of recurring capital. As we look to FY21, it is possible, Dick, that we

371
00:32:15,940 --> 00:32:27,640
We may not necessarily be able to invest the 2.7 because a lot of that money is for water

372
00:32:27,640 --> 00:32:30,840
mains which we can't do during the winter time.

373
00:32:32,650 --> 00:32:41,650
We will be this summer poll is doing some road projects where we will have to raise the

374
00:32:41,650 --> 00:32:51,390
eight boxes and do some necessary water work to support those projects, but it's possible

375
00:32:51,390 --> 00:33:00,050
that given the timing of the acquisition, we are authorized to borrow up to $2.7 million

376
00:33:00,290 --> 00:33:11,550
this year. But we may, to your point, that may not happen. I think it's our hope that

377
00:33:11,550 --> 00:33:18,530
But while we have not been able to replace water mains, you know, over the last few months

378
00:33:18,530 --> 00:33:25,650
and it may be difficult to get anything completed by November or December, I think it's our

379
00:33:25,650 --> 00:33:36,750
hope that we might be able to really hit the ground running in March and potentially start

380
00:33:36,750 --> 00:33:39,290
more projects in March than we normally would.

381
00:33:39,290 --> 00:33:50,170
So there is some possibility that there might be a further, further amount of surplus or you basically would just borrow less money in the first year.

382
00:33:50,910 --> 00:34:04,050
Right, and so again, just what I would point out is if you look at FY21 under the debt service and the capital improvements, we will not start paying the debt service on FY21.

383
00:34:06,410 --> 00:34:15,850
capital that we financed with debt until FY22. So if there's any sort of a, if we do

384
00:34:15,850 --> 00:34:22,930
not invest 2.7 million in capital, that will actually affect FY22, not FY21.

385
00:34:23,510 --> 00:34:25,250
Okay. Thank you.

386
00:34:30,030 --> 00:34:33,670
Any other, David, or Dick, any other questions on this?

387
00:34:34,970 --> 00:34:40,030
Well, Mary, you mentioned we spent over 2.7 million, we spent over 3 million, I think,

388
00:34:40,130 --> 00:34:47,070
the capital during a good husbandry period, but that's not, that's part of what you call

389
00:34:47,070 --> 00:34:50,210
a year one in your spreadsheet here.

390
00:34:50,670 --> 00:34:56,710
No, actually, actually, David, that was, that would be in, that is the year preceding year

391
00:34:56,710 --> 00:34:56,930
one.

392
00:34:57,070 --> 00:35:00,790
Year one is FY21, which began July 1st.

393
00:35:00,790 --> 00:35:08,290
That, actually, the good husbandry capital that was spent was part of the, you know, the

394
00:35:08,290 --> 00:35:12,470
borrowing to purchase—basically, when the town is purchasing the water system and

395
00:35:13,050 --> 00:35:19,030
tomorrow, I got to sign these documents and I think sign a check to Aquarian.

396
00:35:19,950 --> 00:35:28,230
We are basically paying them about $108 million for the water system, plus we are reimbursing

397
00:35:28,230 --> 00:35:33,250
them $3 million for the capital that they spent on our behalf during Good Husband

398
00:35:33,250 --> 00:35:38,670
Dream. Okay, thank you. And again, you know, when we, we asked Tom meeting for

399
00:35:38,670 --> 00:35:45,930
authorization for $114 million, we're actually borrowing less than that, but

400
00:35:45,930 --> 00:35:51,710
instead of us directly investing the capital, we're reimbursing Aquarian. Okay, thank

401
00:35:51,710 --> 00:35:57,410
you. I got it now. Yeah, I'd also mentioned that in the last year, you know, during

402
00:35:57,410 --> 00:36:04,210
this good husbandry period. The town has held weekly capital calls with Aquarian. And we've also

403
00:36:04,210 --> 00:36:10,470
gotten detailed financials to track capital spending to track where the capital was spent, what it

404
00:36:10,470 --> 00:36:18,810
was spent on. And I think we're going to, I think that's going to help us as we move forward. I think

405
00:36:18,810 --> 00:36:26,670
we've learned a lot about the capital investment, the nature of investments. And I think the records

406
00:36:26,670 --> 00:36:33,710
that we've kept will be very helpful to our water superintendent and I think

407
00:36:33,710 --> 00:36:40,070
actually the fact that $3 million was spent it was substantially more than

408
00:36:40,070 --> 00:36:44,590
would normally have been spent so the time was not lost and I think there was

409
00:36:44,590 --> 00:36:49,950
at least more important project over in Hull that got done during that time yeah

410
00:36:49,950 --> 00:36:56,130
you know the biggest project was was a water main on Atlantic Avenue in Hull

411
00:36:56,130 --> 00:37:06,350
And actually last year, last year, the number of feet of water mains replaced was very

412
00:37:06,350 --> 00:37:17,290
high, higher than the average, and understandably, when it came to the springtime, Aquarian essentially

413
00:37:17,290 --> 00:37:23,690
said to us that as part of good husbandry, it's really kind of taking care of the system,

414
00:37:23,690 --> 00:37:31,310
But they didn't think, you know, they said, listen, we don't want to like start a water main project and turn it over to the towntap way.

415
00:37:32,030 --> 00:37:40,130
And if you look at the good husbandry statute, it pretty much says, you know, you, you, you fix anything that's broken.

416
00:37:41,310 --> 00:37:49,650
But, but you don't typically embark on new projects during good husbandry and, you know, aquarium suggested that to the town.

417
00:37:49,650 --> 00:37:52,030
And that also made sense to us.

418
00:37:55,670 --> 00:38:04,370
I would just also just tell you in closing that, you know, whether it relates to capital or aspects of the transition.

419
00:38:05,710 --> 00:38:14,590
The town is very grateful to the professionalism that Aquarian has and ever source have shown in the last year.

420
00:38:14,590 --> 00:38:24,330
They're not just in terms of following through on their good husbandry obligation, but working with the town and Sue as on this transition.

421
00:38:25,250 --> 00:38:34,810
We really appreciate the very, the cooperation that we've received at the ever source corporate level, at the aquarium corporate level.

422
00:38:34,810 --> 00:38:42,970
and here in Hangum, and you know we are delighted at the fact that every

423
00:38:42,970 --> 00:38:50,930
Aquarian, every Aquarian employee except for one who is relocating out of the

424
00:38:50,930 --> 00:38:57,450
area has accepted a job offer, so we think that that will provide important

425
00:38:57,450 --> 00:39:02,670
continuity, and as Sue has pointed out to us last night during the Selecman's meeting

426
00:39:02,670 --> 00:39:12,790
actually two of the Aquarian operators actually received promotions as part of this transition.

427
00:39:13,270 --> 00:39:21,450
So we think that's really going to be good for the ratepayers and we think it's just going to help with continuity.

428
00:39:24,630 --> 00:39:34,470
Great. Thank you.

429
00:39:34,470 --> 00:39:42,870
last eight years. It's been amazing to watch you. It's been really a pleasure to be involved

430
00:39:42,870 --> 00:39:50,790
with this with you and your leadership, your diligence, your perseverance, your analytical

431
00:39:50,790 --> 00:40:00,730
perspective, your good judgment has really fully carried this project forward. So I think all

432
00:40:00,730 --> 00:40:07,230
of us owe you a very, very big thank you for everything you've done to to bring this project

433
00:40:07,230 --> 00:40:14,730
as far and it's really been an amazing amount of work and I know we all very, very much appreciate

434
00:40:14,730 --> 00:40:21,490
all you've done. So thank you. Well thank you and everybody on this call and many more people

435
00:40:22,110 --> 00:40:28,370
you know an undertaking like this happens as a result of a lot of very committed people those

436
00:40:28,370 --> 00:40:35,430
that started with the idea and all the way through and I'm really excited about what's

437
00:40:35,430 --> 00:40:43,850
ahead for the town and I think what I'm most pleased about is in the year since town

438
00:40:43,850 --> 00:40:51,310
meeting overwhelmingly supported this purchase as we've gotten into the transition and what's

439
00:40:51,310 --> 00:40:59,650
involved, the reality and the numbers you see here are very consistent with the work

440
00:40:59,650 --> 00:41:02,510
that was done by the Acquisition Study Committee.

441
00:41:03,230 --> 00:41:10,490
As we've gone through and gotten all this information, it has, for me at least, affirmed

442
00:41:10,490 --> 00:41:19,110
the decision by town meeting, and I think as I said last night, both the town and Sue

443
00:41:19,110 --> 00:41:27,930
as understand the responsibility that we're going to be undertaking come Friday and we are prepared.

444
00:41:28,550 --> 00:41:34,090
And, you know, really appreciate this committee. There's going to be important work with respect

445
00:41:34,090 --> 00:41:40,830
to cost of service and capital studies and, you know, where do we put these surpluses?

446
00:41:42,070 --> 00:41:49,630
And I think that it's going to be very helpful to have all of your expertise and your perspective.

447
00:41:50,570 --> 00:41:54,410
And, you know, also appreciate your committee taking a look down the road

448
00:41:54,410 --> 00:42:00,370
at whether the governance structure that's in place right now is appropriate in the long term.

449
00:42:02,930 --> 00:42:05,050
That's going to be really important work.

450
00:42:05,050 --> 00:42:15,930
and I'm personally grateful to each of you for being involved in it, and I speak for the board and the town administrator as well on that.

451
00:42:19,260 --> 00:42:19,520
Okay.

452
00:42:20,220 --> 00:42:20,440
Good.

453
00:42:20,540 --> 00:42:21,960
Thank you very much.

454
00:42:22,040 --> 00:42:22,280
Thank you very much.

455
00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:23,060
All right.

456
00:42:23,620 --> 00:42:24,220
Thank you very much.

457
00:42:25,160 --> 00:42:25,640
Thanks again.

458
00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:26,500
Appreciate it.

459
00:42:26,520 --> 00:42:26,980
Thank you, Mary.

460
00:42:30,070 --> 00:42:32,970
Great. Well, we appreciate Mary coming and walking us through this.

461
00:42:32,970 --> 00:42:44,930
Any other questions you want to talk about the tenure projections? Any questions, any concerns as you look at this?

462
00:42:47,860 --> 00:42:59,520
As I mentioned, I think the discussion, which is one that is going to take some time, is the question of what happens to the surplus or so even that there is surplus.

463
00:42:59,520 --> 00:43:05,300
And I think there'll probably be some, you know, obviously different ideas from different

464
00:43:05,300 --> 00:43:06,740
people in terms of doing that.

465
00:43:07,340 --> 00:43:12,840
Personally, as far as the cost of service study, this thing is simple compared to a typical

466
00:43:12,840 --> 00:43:14,520
utility cost of service study.

467
00:43:14,700 --> 00:43:16,660
I mean, we're dealing with no cost.

468
00:43:17,500 --> 00:43:22,320
And I think it's going to, I mean, you're going to look at the actual results of the operations.

469
00:43:23,040 --> 00:43:24,200
There are a lot of variables.

470
00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:34,560
And you're absolutely talking in my mind about rate structure and what are not there ought to be some appropriate changes to her mind.

471
00:43:35,880 --> 00:43:51,760
So anyway, you know, did you read my notes beforehand, because that's effectively what I was going to say about the rate study because when it comes right down to it, there's not a lot of variable expenses here that we don't already know about.

472
00:43:51,760 --> 00:43:58,260
right? So we already have the operator expenses, you know them. We know the debt

473
00:43:58,260 --> 00:44:06,080
service. Between those two of them they represent I think 90% of the costs just

474
00:44:06,080 --> 00:44:10,280
between those two line items. So you're right. You're right about that. I think we'll

475
00:44:10,280 --> 00:44:21,740
be focusing a lot on rate structure versus cost of service because that's

476
00:44:21,740 --> 00:44:27,580
had a little bit. David, yes? Well, cost of service will obviously be impacted by the future cost

477
00:44:27,580 --> 00:44:33,960
of amortization or debt service on capital. I think capital will factor significantly in

478
00:44:34,760 --> 00:44:41,120
future planning and how it would impact future rates. I mean, some capital projects will

479
00:44:41,960 --> 00:44:46,560
hopefully result with some cost reduction, but a lot of capital projects are just replacement

480
00:44:46,560 --> 00:44:49,260
of assets and kind and won't have any impact.

481
00:44:49,760 --> 00:44:53,460
So, as I look at, if I'm involved in the cost

482
00:44:53,460 --> 00:44:57,880
of service study, I'll obviously be tied to the asset plan

483
00:44:57,880 --> 00:44:59,900
and the CAF X that we...

484
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,960
I look forward to over the 10-year horizon. I think that's where the rover will meet the road. Now, you're absolutely right. I think we're the capital assets study, and let's call it a master plan for planning for capital needs. We'll certainly influence the cluster service and rate structure. So, you know, when we think about sequencing of those two events, we'll have to keep that in mind.

485
00:45:29,960 --> 00:45:34,800
to you know there's one assumption you can make going into it for the rate structure of the rate

486
00:45:35,720 --> 00:45:41,680
the cost of service and assume a 2.7 million cat-backs investment every year but that may change

487
00:45:41,680 --> 00:45:49,760
based on you know what the capital assets study shows who knows right so it was the name.

488
00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:56,860
I think it was interesting to comment me by, I think it was Bill Walsh, a dwarver headed

489
00:45:56,860 --> 00:46:03,540
aquarium in one of the meetings in which he made the point that in terms of capital

490
00:46:03,540 --> 00:46:08,600
rich managers and everything, the simple answer of just saying we're going to spend as much

491
00:46:08,600 --> 00:46:15,280
money as we can for line replacements is not necessarily the correct answer if in fact the line

492
00:46:15,280 --> 00:46:19,800
and replacements are needed, so there's clearly ketchup

493
00:46:19,800 --> 00:46:22,820
and whatever, but there's the open questions

494
00:46:22,820 --> 00:46:24,040
to be talked about so.

495
00:46:24,500 --> 00:46:26,460
Yeah, you get a wonder if you reach a point

496
00:46:26,460 --> 00:46:29,180
where the CAP-X requirement is less

497
00:46:29,180 --> 00:46:30,620
than what was anticipated or needed.

498
00:46:31,500 --> 00:46:32,360
You're absolutely right.

499
00:46:33,520 --> 00:46:36,880
Because these things have a long service life

500
00:46:36,880 --> 00:46:38,680
where they should have a very long service life

501
00:46:38,680 --> 00:46:39,380
because you've indicated.

502
00:46:40,800 --> 00:46:42,480
So at some point, it doesn't make sense

503
00:46:42,480 --> 00:46:52,960
invest in the system for, if you're not getting incremental improvements, so yeah, I guess

504
00:46:52,960 --> 00:46:58,400
an enterprise fund accounting, we don't depreciate assets, I don't see that here, so that you pay

505
00:46:58,400 --> 00:47:05,120
for CAPEX and you don't advertise it, other than in your debt service. Right, it's really cash,

506
00:47:05,120 --> 00:47:06,640
catch out.

507
00:47:08,680 --> 00:47:14,380
You don't really need to do that for this purpose, at least. But I do think

508
00:47:14,380 --> 00:47:21,220
it is really interesting. I went back to the Anderson study that was done during the

509
00:47:21,220 --> 00:47:29,020
analysis period, leading up to town meeting, and it was pretty close to this. You know,

510
00:47:29,020 --> 00:47:31,120
give or take, you know, 10% here and there.

511
00:47:31,800 --> 00:47:35,020
The projections were, you know, pretty close, you know,

512
00:47:35,020 --> 00:47:37,640
certainly we have lowered that service payments.

513
00:47:38,900 --> 00:47:40,900
But some of the operating expenses were,

514
00:47:42,360 --> 00:47:44,600
you know, it was not far off at all.

515
00:47:44,820 --> 00:47:47,380
And I think we know, we certainly know a lot more today

516
00:47:47,380 --> 00:47:49,180
than we did a year and a half ago,

517
00:47:49,400 --> 00:47:50,100
or two years ago.

518
00:47:50,820 --> 00:47:53,520
When that was created, we know the real numbers now.

519
00:47:54,320 --> 00:47:56,660
And I think it came in eerily close

520
00:47:56,660 --> 00:48:01,880
to what we're actually realizing in expenses which is I think it's a good

521
00:48:01,880 --> 00:48:04,060
thing for the more compounded back then.

522
00:48:06,180 --> 00:48:10,640
I mentioned to Jim on if if you take a

523
00:48:10,640 --> 00:48:15,520
look at rim the automatic rate adjustment that aquarium would have been

524
00:48:15,520 --> 00:48:22,380
eligible for you're going to see already a big difference in terms of the level

525
00:48:22,380 --> 00:48:30,020
across as compared to what they would have been entitled to, with what they spent substantial dollars

526
00:48:30,020 --> 00:48:37,680
even in this year and the next two years without a file rate increase. So where the town is

527
00:48:37,680 --> 00:48:39,420
well ahead of itself at this point.

528
00:48:41,910 --> 00:48:46,650
Yeah it's it's hard it's hard to show that to folks but just know

529
00:48:46,650 --> 00:48:52,790
that that's reality that under acquiring ownership that it would have been much more expensive for

530
00:48:52,790 --> 00:48:59,930
rate pairs, basically. It's hard to show that in detail, but. So yes, there's a lot of

531
00:48:59,930 --> 00:49:04,270
work to be done. So I'll leave this up for a second if anyone was interested in continuing

532
00:49:04,270 --> 00:49:08,670
to look at these numbers as we continue our conversation because actually, this is where

533
00:49:08,670 --> 00:49:13,270
the rubber meets the road. This is the reason we purchased the company to have control over

534
00:49:14,050 --> 00:49:20,450
expenses and have control over capital investments. And I know that Suez will be looking closely

535
00:49:20,450 --> 00:49:23,690
at some of the practices that were in place

536
00:49:23,690 --> 00:49:25,170
and potentially changing them.

537
00:49:25,790 --> 00:49:30,090
And I heard a discussion today all around the flushing

538
00:49:30,090 --> 00:49:32,710
of the system because I know there's been a lot of concern

539
00:49:32,710 --> 00:49:36,470
with folks around Brown and Dirty Water,

540
00:49:36,870 --> 00:49:40,430
especially the summer with the increased usage

541
00:49:40,430 --> 00:49:43,210
and folks working from home have increased usage.

542
00:49:43,930 --> 00:49:45,950
And there's some strategies that there are already talking

543
00:49:45,950 --> 00:49:56,910
about to help reduce those issues and to deal with many of the dead ends that our water

544
00:49:56,910 --> 00:50:01,850
system has in place which makes flushing a little more challenging and difficult, but

545
00:50:01,850 --> 00:50:03,310
there's ways to deal with that.

546
00:50:04,070 --> 00:50:11,290
I think over time with the patience of the repair and the perseverance of the system and

547
00:50:11,290 --> 00:50:15,230
the water commissioners and the new water superintendent who will mention in a moment.

548
00:50:16,030 --> 00:50:20,550
Over time, I think that the folks will see a real improvement in the system, as well

549
00:50:20,550 --> 00:50:25,990
as a much more predictable cost and public input over rates.

550
00:50:26,390 --> 00:50:31,990
So I think in the long run, this will also look back at this has been a very worthwhile

551
00:50:31,990 --> 00:50:33,010
effort.

552
00:50:34,430 --> 00:50:37,350
So in any case, that's my hope.

553
00:50:38,350 --> 00:50:41,490
So let me take this on down for seconds, we'll go back here.

554
00:50:43,350 --> 00:50:44,390
Does anyone...

555
00:50:44,390 --> 00:50:51,230
Let me ask this one person on the phone if you have a question we're happy to answer

556
00:50:51,230 --> 00:50:52,770
any questions you may have.

557
00:50:58,910 --> 00:51:03,770
Okay, I don't hear any from the person on the line, so we'll move forward.

558
00:51:05,190 --> 00:51:11,730
Again, thank you for your input on this and thank you for the good suggestions as we move

559
00:51:11,730 --> 00:51:12,030
forward.

560
00:51:12,030 --> 00:51:19,090
will continue to work on this. So let's talk briefly. We kind of dropped the

561
00:51:19,090 --> 00:51:22,090
gun a little bit. We talked about the two studies. So this committee also will

562
00:51:22,090 --> 00:51:26,470
be involved in a couple of studies, which are very important. One is a

563
00:51:27,350 --> 00:51:32,430
capital asset study, which is looking at the infrastructure in the system,

564
00:51:34,070 --> 00:51:41,250
engaging with a professional engineering firm to really take a deep dive and to

565
00:51:41,250 --> 00:51:47,790
help us do some planning. Identify where improvements can be made, look at the storage,

566
00:51:48,290 --> 00:51:56,990
look at all the various areas within the system, and help prioritize potential investments

567
00:51:56,990 --> 00:52:02,870
moving forward in the system. And I like to think of it as a master plan for the system.

568
00:52:03,190 --> 00:52:10,310
So we'll have a real roadmap as to where and when to spend our capital dollars into the

569
00:52:10,310 --> 00:52:16,570
system. The world will be most effective. Yeah, I've learned with a little bit of pre-work that

570
00:52:17,310 --> 00:52:23,190
these firms have really sophisticated modeling abilities. I mean, they can effectively mimic

571
00:52:23,190 --> 00:52:30,990
on and a computer. The impact of various projects will have to the system itself that can show

572
00:52:31,430 --> 00:52:36,390
how water flow changes. I'm sure you guys have probably seen these things, but these hydraulic

573
00:52:36,390 --> 00:52:43,130
like analysis tools that they have can really go a long way in understanding how and most

574
00:52:43,130 --> 00:52:48,050
effectively to make investments and improvements in the system on a cost-effective basis.

575
00:52:48,430 --> 00:52:52,430
So we'll certainly want to partner with a firm that can bring that to the table.

576
00:52:53,590 --> 00:53:00,270
And then also we've got some work to do around on account of for water and to the extent

577
00:53:00,270 --> 00:53:05,310
that they can help us analyze again where investments can be made to help with that is

578
00:53:05,310 --> 00:53:05,570
helpful.

579
00:53:05,570 --> 00:53:10,170
Now, Suez also has some of these capabilities, so as part of their responsibility, there

580
00:53:10,170 --> 00:53:15,130
will also be in parallel looking at the system, but I think it's really helpful and will

581
00:53:15,130 --> 00:53:16,490
be helpful to have a third party.

582
00:53:17,250 --> 00:53:25,010
So to that, we'll work with the town administrator as a chief purchasing agent to go through the

583
00:53:25,010 --> 00:53:32,610
process of developing a, whether it's an RFP or an RFQ, but identify the most appropriate

584
00:53:32,610 --> 00:53:39,150
we affirm that the township higher to engage with and do the study.

585
00:53:40,310 --> 00:53:45,190
And then I've been told these studies can take up to six months or so and then oftentimes

586
00:53:45,190 --> 00:53:50,010
they're able to give us an update as to what their findings are before the final report

587
00:53:50,010 --> 00:53:50,510
is produced.

588
00:53:50,790 --> 00:53:56,910
So we'll want to engage with them on a regular basis and clearly they'll be working very

589
00:53:56,910 --> 00:54:01,850
collaboratively with Suez because they'll be looking for some specific data that they'll

590
00:54:01,850 --> 00:54:03,970
we need from Suez to do the analysis of.

591
00:54:05,750 --> 00:54:08,110
Dick, you seem to know more about these things than I do.

592
00:54:08,390 --> 00:54:09,650
So is there anything I missed on that?

593
00:54:10,870 --> 00:54:11,970
No, I don't think so.

594
00:54:12,510 --> 00:54:15,550
I mean, you've got a whole bunch of material analysis

595
00:54:15,550 --> 00:54:16,830
with regard to your lines

596
00:54:16,830 --> 00:54:21,630
and the system is made up with so many different ages

597
00:54:21,630 --> 00:54:23,170
and different types of things.

598
00:54:23,950 --> 00:54:24,470
So, no.

599
00:54:24,990 --> 00:54:27,430
Well, other than the fact that the focus

600
00:54:27,970 --> 00:54:30,370
when the town reviewed this was on lines

601
00:54:30,370 --> 00:54:35,070
And yet, as we all know, having gone through the operating proposals,

602
00:54:36,270 --> 00:54:41,110
here's a lot of capital related outside of the line aspect of it,

603
00:54:41,150 --> 00:54:43,470
with regard to order treatment plant.

604
00:54:44,910 --> 00:54:48,410
A lot of it, I think it can be taken care of in the short term,

605
00:54:48,670 --> 00:54:51,910
but we shouldn't forget that aspect of it as well.

606
00:54:52,690 --> 00:54:57,850
I know I personally was focused almost totally on lines during the discussion,

607
00:54:57,850 --> 00:55:05,070
this little bit, but, but no. And then I think there's also going to be a need to look at storage

608
00:55:05,070 --> 00:55:11,290
facilities, look at, we have a tank on Turkey Hill, see what condition that tank is in. I know there's

609
00:55:11,290 --> 00:55:17,350
been concerned in hull around pressure at times. And there was a tank that used to be in hull that

610
00:55:17,350 --> 00:55:23,570
was taken offline. So, does it make sense to do something there to help improve pressure? I think

611
00:55:23,570 --> 00:55:27,350
these are all the analysis. And those are usually pretty big ticket items too. So,

612
00:55:27,850 --> 00:55:33,050
Those are the analysis, I think, that we'll be looking for an expert to help us to navigate.

613
00:55:33,990 --> 00:55:38,570
I mean, that's an example where you can use storage tank, you can visit the booster pump,

614
00:55:38,870 --> 00:55:45,470
where you can increase the diameter of the line. So, right, I think there's a lot of solutions there,

615
00:55:45,490 --> 00:55:50,510
and I think that, you know, we'll look to be informed what the best and most cost-effective

616
00:55:50,510 --> 00:55:53,510
the solution would be for the improvements

617
00:55:53,510 --> 00:55:55,150
on a long-term, for a long-term basis.

618
00:55:55,490 --> 00:55:59,350
So, in any case, so we'll need to engage in end.

619
00:55:59,470 --> 00:56:01,730
So that's one responsibility we'll have.

620
00:56:01,890 --> 00:56:03,930
And the second one is we've already discussed this

621
00:56:03,930 --> 00:56:07,090
around the cost of service and rate and rate structure,

622
00:56:07,310 --> 00:56:10,070
which will help inform the water commissioners

623
00:56:10,450 --> 00:56:14,430
to an extent when they're considering

624
00:56:14,430 --> 00:56:19,630
whether or not to raise rates or consider the rates.

625
00:56:20,510 --> 00:56:21,610
which will be next year.

626
00:56:23,310 --> 00:56:30,930
So again, the dovetails I think very closely and very neatly with the capital asset study

627
00:56:30,930 --> 00:56:33,730
because again, it will help inform where investments will need to be made.

628
00:56:34,830 --> 00:56:38,650
So again, we'll need to partner with the town on understanding kind of the process.

629
00:56:39,330 --> 00:56:42,190
There is a water superintendent now on hired.

630
00:56:42,330 --> 00:56:47,070
His name is Russell Turney and he was, he almost joined us tonight.

631
00:56:47,070 --> 00:56:51,390
He just joined this town this week as an official employee.

632
00:56:52,190 --> 00:56:54,950
David, maybe you can just give a little bit of background on him.

633
00:56:55,130 --> 00:57:01,170
We were, he was in stealth mode when the selection was made.

634
00:57:02,050 --> 00:57:08,310
Now that he's on board, can you recall, can you give us a little bit of background on Russ' career?

635
00:57:08,890 --> 00:57:13,930
Sure. Russ' background is largely in the operation

636
00:57:13,930 --> 00:57:17,810
through a contract-arrangement of municipal water systems.

637
00:57:18,070 --> 00:57:19,910
Chelsea, I think, being the most recent.

638
00:57:21,050 --> 00:57:26,810
So you could say he's sort of a background similar to having worked for Suez.

639
00:57:27,670 --> 00:57:32,910
But in that role, he understands how municipal water systems,

640
00:57:33,310 --> 00:57:37,490
and for that matter of water treatment, waste water treatment systems work,

641
00:57:37,490 --> 00:57:44,710
work and would often be involved in town meetings for the allocation of budgets and caps.

642
00:57:46,420 --> 00:57:53,410
The only shortfall in his experience would be not having worked directly for a town.

643
00:57:54,170 --> 00:57:59,670
You know, he's got all the experience as a contractor dealing with town affairs.

644
00:57:59,670 --> 00:58:08,670
So that was, you know, the fact that he had all that operating experience with various municipal

645
00:58:08,670 --> 00:58:14,330
systems was actually quite good. He's not wed to one particular perspective on one system.

646
00:58:15,830 --> 00:58:29,350
High energy individual knows this stuff. I think we'll work very well with Suez. There won't be any

647
00:58:29,350 --> 00:58:34,830
the interaction between the contract and the town that was sort of like, so once again

648
00:58:34,830 --> 00:58:41,170
on, he was the first choice and we were able to attract him.

649
00:58:43,710 --> 00:58:45,530
Yeah, he'll join us in a future meeting.

650
00:58:45,690 --> 00:58:51,110
He was very eager to just had a commitment with one of his children tonight, but otherwise

651
00:58:51,110 --> 00:58:56,730
he really wanted to be here, then he passed us along, his whole house, all of us is looking

652
00:58:56,730 --> 00:59:01,570
He'll be a real effective partner on both of these studies.

653
00:59:02,590 --> 00:59:07,330
Internally, he'll be very interested in helping guide the process of doing the studies.

654
00:59:08,250 --> 00:59:12,890
So we'll figure out kind of logistics around them and who's doing what and who's leading

655
00:59:12,890 --> 00:59:13,210
what.

656
00:59:13,990 --> 00:59:21,850
But certainly, we're here to help guide the process and help analyze the results of the

657
00:59:22,490 --> 00:59:22,850
studies.

658
00:59:22,850 --> 00:59:38,990
So to that end, what I was hoping to do was assign you or four of you to one of these two studies, and I received, and I asked for independently and we see back some preferences.

659
00:59:39,430 --> 00:59:49,710
So I'm going to ask a Dick and Scott to work on the capital asset study, seems to align with both of your experiences very well, your background very well.

660
00:59:49,710 --> 00:59:58,590
and David and Joe will be working on the process service race structure study so just

661
00:59:58,590 --> 00:59:59,890
spare with me a little bit is.

662
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:13,860
Let's get through the next week or so, because there's a lot of movie parts. And in fact, I want to finish that conversation about the transition, because I think I stopped a little bit sooner than this more things to talk about.

663
01:00:15,960 --> 01:00:29,420
So I'd love for you guys to be involved in that. Again, I'll circle back as to how that will work. I think the cost of service study, David, will be one, don't be too eager to start, because I think again, that will dovetail.

664
01:00:30,000 --> 01:00:33,580
that will fit in nicely with the capital assets study.

665
01:00:34,460 --> 01:00:36,720
But I don't think that's as urgently to start.

666
01:00:36,980 --> 01:00:39,160
I think the capital asset is the first priority.

667
01:00:40,220 --> 01:00:43,280
There's a lot of information around the condition today,

668
01:00:43,900 --> 01:00:46,620
but I think we'll really want to have that up

669
01:00:46,620 --> 01:00:48,740
and running as soon as possible

670
01:00:49,200 --> 01:00:52,120
to help inform everybody on the plan

671
01:00:52,120 --> 01:00:53,440
for the system moving forward.

672
01:00:54,960 --> 01:00:56,300
So, Dick, I'll circle back.

673
01:00:56,520 --> 01:00:59,040
I'll consider the two of you kind of the leader

674
01:00:59,040 --> 01:01:04,900
of the two if you don't mind and just communicate with you and then you can collectively communicate

675
01:01:04,900 --> 01:01:11,980
with your peers on those projects. So thank you. Thanks for stepping up and offering to help

676
01:01:11,980 --> 01:01:17,180
with those. I really appreciate it. Now going back to the transition, David, you had a question

677
01:01:17,180 --> 01:01:25,840
about billing. Yes, the question is, will a querian's final bill be based on an actual water meter read

678
01:01:25,840 --> 01:01:29,240
will it be estimated, which case has it back in stock later?

679
01:01:30,720 --> 01:01:36,500
No, they're going to read the meters as fast as, and you know, most of them are electronic,

680
01:01:36,500 --> 01:01:41,180
I believe, I think it's a flick of a switch or a drive-by, I'm not sure what it is.

681
01:01:41,780 --> 01:01:46,840
I think it's a drive-by, but yeah, they will be actively reading meters on the 31st.

682
01:01:47,520 --> 01:01:49,840
Okay, good, because I think that would be a whole whole...

683
01:01:52,020 --> 01:01:54,460
Yeah, we did not want to get into estimations.

684
01:01:54,460 --> 01:02:02,360
We and they didn't either they want you want to cut it and get paid what they're entitled to and then you know

685
01:02:02,360 --> 01:02:09,920
The in the town certainly wants to do the same, so yeah again, so the interesting part to me was not realizing that

686
01:02:10,480 --> 01:02:14,840
I thought everyone got the bill at the same time and it doesn't work that way

687
01:02:14,840 --> 01:02:19,880
So you know some folks we are gonna receive a bill for only three or four days of service

688
01:02:21,600 --> 01:02:23,360
That's just the way it has to be

689
01:02:24,280 --> 01:02:29,240
They're just going to get billed for the rest of their quarter, and again, maybe a short

690
01:02:29,240 --> 01:02:30,080
or three or four days.

691
01:02:30,340 --> 01:02:37,760
So, if any of the general public are involved in that, I apologize, but it will just be

692
01:02:37,760 --> 01:02:40,000
short-term pain and long-term gain on this one.

693
01:02:41,400 --> 01:02:42,600
And so, be on the lookout.

694
01:02:43,060 --> 01:02:52,260
Now, what's the other implications I'm billing is, as I mentioned, if you get statements

695
01:02:52,260 --> 01:03:00,840
electronically today, that will be stopped after August 1st, because we want everyone to get a

696
01:03:00,840 --> 01:03:07,260
hard copy statement for their first statement. Then you can reassign up for eDelivery of their

697
01:03:07,260 --> 01:03:12,740
statement, because again, you're going to have a new account number that we really need everyone

698
01:03:12,740 --> 01:03:19,900
to utilize. So we hope this is an extra reminder to folks. When they send their payment in, it goes

699
01:03:19,900 --> 01:03:26,100
So wear river water system and you write down your new account number, use the coupon or whatever you pay.

700
01:03:26,260 --> 01:03:28,120
You can go online and pay it electronically still.

701
01:03:28,480 --> 01:03:33,180
We just want to remind everybody this is the new system, new account number.

702
01:03:33,400 --> 01:03:36,680
So we looked at maintaining the account numbers.

703
01:03:37,000 --> 01:03:41,200
We looked at every possible iteration to make it as easy as possible.

704
01:03:42,100 --> 01:03:49,300
But for us to ensure that aquarium received their revenue and we received our revenue without any co-mingling,

705
01:03:49,300 --> 01:03:54,300
the two account numbers was really the only solution that made any sort of sense at all.

706
01:03:54,640 --> 01:04:02,220
So sorry to folks is 13,000 households out there and going to be a little bit of painful

707
01:04:02,220 --> 01:04:06,300
and in fact if there's any friction on this whole thing, it's around billing.

708
01:04:07,080 --> 01:04:10,900
So you'll see a lot of communication about it but I'm sure this is going to be mistakes

709
01:04:10,900 --> 01:04:16,720
made but we do have a reconciliation process in place to fix anything but you know we hope

710
01:04:16,720 --> 01:04:23,000
So folks are understanding as we go through this first quarter of billing because that's really where the problems are going to be.

711
01:04:25,070 --> 01:04:32,930
So yeah, so customers got their letters on as soon as the closing is done, you're going to start seeing signage change.

712
01:04:33,490 --> 01:04:38,030
So it's going to be some temporary signage on mainstream at the water treatment plant.

713
01:04:38,170 --> 01:04:42,810
You'll see a sign put up where they're you're going to guys you're going to start seeing our new logo everywhere.

714
01:04:43,730 --> 01:04:45,030
So be prepared.

715
01:04:46,830 --> 01:04:51,230
I think it looks great. I've seen it now. I thought it looked great in the letterhead. I've

716
01:04:51,230 --> 01:04:56,570
seen sample mockups for the trucks and everything and I think it looks great. So I think that was a

717
01:04:56,570 --> 01:05:01,650
good selection by us. And I'll be going to start seeing it all over the place. They have stickers. They're

718
01:05:01,650 --> 01:05:07,830
going to put stickers over the name Aquarian that's going to say Wear River. All temporary until we have

719
01:05:07,830 --> 01:05:12,810
the permanent signage, which just takes a little bit of time to produce everything. Nobody wanted to

720
01:05:12,810 --> 01:05:17,110
go through the effort of producing it now, just in case something were to happen.

721
01:05:17,490 --> 01:05:22,670
So it's all temporary, but everything will be made permanent in the next week or, I'm

722
01:05:22,670 --> 01:05:25,590
sorry, the next month after the temporary signage is up.

723
01:05:26,410 --> 01:05:32,410
If you'll start seeing that around 10 as of this weekend, again, phone numbers will be

724
01:05:32,410 --> 01:05:32,850
active.

725
01:05:33,470 --> 01:05:40,490
We have a website where riverwater.com, up and running, up and running since Monday, that will

726
01:05:40,490 --> 01:05:45,370
be the central repository for a lot of information about the water company and the water system.

727
01:05:46,730 --> 01:05:49,710
My Suez has their own MySuez.com.

728
01:05:49,710 --> 01:05:51,550
They'll be a link to it on our webpage.

729
01:05:52,470 --> 01:05:55,750
And that's where you can do electronic bill payment, and you can find out information

730
01:05:55,750 --> 01:06:00,690
about historical bills from the Suez running going forward.

731
01:06:03,850 --> 01:06:07,350
Again, acquiring will continue to communicate water issues.

732
01:06:07,810 --> 01:06:10,770
will also have that on the wherever water system site.

733
01:06:11,510 --> 01:06:13,670
So we're really looking to improve communication.

734
01:06:13,810 --> 01:06:14,930
It's going to be a work in progress.

735
01:06:15,390 --> 01:06:17,050
There's going to be some hiccups at times.

736
01:06:17,050 --> 01:06:18,870
We're going to do the best we can to move forward.

737
01:06:20,630 --> 01:06:23,910
And then make it as an efficient process as possible for everybody.

738
01:06:25,090 --> 01:06:28,500
But I can assure you the system itself is going to go seamlessly.

739
01:06:29,130 --> 01:06:30,950
It's maybe some of the communication hiccups,

740
01:06:31,090 --> 01:06:32,790
but we'll learn if we make mistakes.

741
01:06:34,710 --> 01:06:40,470
It's full of the behind-the-scenes work on communication and a letter that was prepared

742
01:06:40,470 --> 01:06:41,190
sending out.

743
01:06:41,490 --> 01:06:45,190
Is it somebody in the town doing that or is that Suez or you?

744
01:06:45,850 --> 01:06:47,130
There's been a few of us.

745
01:06:47,630 --> 01:06:49,290
So you guys have these two studies.

746
01:06:49,490 --> 01:06:57,010
I've been working as Guides helped as well on a lot of hands involved.

747
01:06:57,010 --> 01:07:05,110
There's myself as Michelle Montsegger, the system town manager, and Suez has internal

748
01:07:05,110 --> 01:07:06,070
communication people.

749
01:07:06,910 --> 01:07:09,410
So we've been working diligently on the communication.

750
01:07:10,370 --> 01:07:16,450
What about in the longer term, where there's a budget item for Edmund, will there be half

751
01:07:16,450 --> 01:07:23,010
of a person's time or a quarter of a person's time to support the water superintendent?

752
01:07:23,910 --> 01:07:45,830
Yeah, so there's a, he'll have, Russ will have a support person helping him and that person will be doing a lot of reporting and will most likely it's really up to Russ as to how he sees fit that this person will be utilized, but he anticipates communication will be a big part of that person's responsibility.

753
01:07:46,650 --> 01:07:55,290
And, you know, the town owns that website, we create content for it, we run it, so there

754
01:07:55,290 --> 01:07:59,010
will probably be some sort of a cost allocation at some point, not a lot, but a little bit

755
01:07:59,010 --> 01:08:06,710
of a cost allocation of the venture link for the website that's in the projections.

756
01:08:07,270 --> 01:08:12,870
But yeah, and Suez has full-time communications people, so that's sort of full-time job.

757
01:08:12,870 --> 01:08:21,510
So you may have remembered we had Madeline Wyatt joined us she's the branding and communications

758
01:08:21,510 --> 01:08:28,590
person at Suez and then a woman named G is very involved too there and their customer

759
01:08:28,590 --> 01:08:35,130
service manager Maria has been helping to educate the aquarium folks and fill them in on.

760
01:08:35,550 --> 01:08:40,350
We just produced for them FAQ's which will be on our website the wherever ever water

761
01:08:40,350 --> 01:08:45,930
website, again, to help everybody understand exactly what this means and communicate to the public.

762
01:08:47,370 --> 01:08:56,930
So yeah, there's those are some of the details of Dick around who does what that is we have

763
01:08:56,930 --> 01:09:02,410
things in place on a temporary basis, but we'll look to Russ to make some of those decisions on

764
01:09:02,410 --> 01:09:04,090
on a permanent long-term basis.

765
01:09:05,210 --> 01:09:06,910
There's a very special information

766
01:09:06,910 --> 01:09:10,810
for developing an anthem for a wearable water system.

767
01:09:11,630 --> 01:09:12,450
An anthem?

768
01:09:12,870 --> 01:09:13,130
Yes.

769
01:09:14,670 --> 01:09:15,570
A song?

770
01:09:16,390 --> 01:09:17,530
That's an attempt at you.

771
01:09:18,750 --> 01:09:20,030
I'm, you know what?

772
01:09:20,190 --> 01:09:22,270
Maybe we'll have a meeting, and you can sample

773
01:09:22,270 --> 01:09:23,450
some songs with us, Dick.

774
01:09:23,970 --> 01:09:25,410
You want to hear me sing?

775
01:09:26,710 --> 01:09:29,170
Maybe pull your ukulele or whatever you play.

776
01:09:29,510 --> 01:09:31,650
And we'd love to hear what you have to say.

777
01:09:32,670 --> 01:09:40,590
So yeah, so, so like going on, a lot of, you know, the town had hoped to have some sort of an opening ceremony,

778
01:09:41,190 --> 01:09:43,790
but clearly that's not happening in the age of COVID.

779
01:09:45,250 --> 01:09:52,750
There is a, there is a, on Monday, in fact, I just made me think of something.

780
01:09:52,850 --> 01:09:58,290
There's a welcome to the Suez employees, the water treatment plant employees

781
01:09:59,190 --> 01:10:07,370
who are hired by Suez, so this is Zoom. Welcome. You may have seen it. Circulating

782
01:10:07,370 --> 01:10:13,490
limitation was circulated a few of us. Our committee was invited to this. I

783
01:10:13,490 --> 01:10:17,810
don't know if you're able to attend. I may need to post that actually if enough of

784
01:10:17,810 --> 01:10:23,570
us if a quorum. Are you two going to attend that Zoom call, do you think? Monday the

785
01:10:23,570 --> 01:10:25,910
13th. Monday the third.

786
01:10:28,390 --> 01:10:33,810
Yes, I accepted the invitation. Great. Dick, do you know? I'm around.

787
01:10:34,150 --> 01:10:40,770
I have not accepted looking at the long list of people. I'm happy to attend. If you think it's

788
01:10:40,770 --> 01:10:46,630
appropriate, but I was sort of put off by the multitude of people who are in this room call, so.

789
01:10:47,190 --> 01:10:52,190
Yeah. You know, I tell you what it's about. It's really about recognizing that the employees

790
01:10:53,570 --> 01:11:00,170
That the Suez is hired. It's it's about it's more for them welcoming them to Suez and

791
01:11:00,770 --> 01:11:07,250
The town thanking the employees because again, it's been eight years of uncertainty for these people and

792
01:11:08,830 --> 01:11:14,770
You know, we and they're the ones who and that's where the rubber meets the road. I mean these folks are dedicated

793
01:11:14,770 --> 01:11:19,990
You know helping out and making sure that we get high quality water and they are

794
01:11:19,990 --> 01:11:28,050
are committed to their jobs, but they've lived under a cloud for a year, so I appreciate

795
01:11:28,050 --> 01:11:28,710
their commitment.

796
01:11:29,190 --> 01:11:31,370
I'm happy to be able to participate if it's appropriate.

797
01:11:32,190 --> 01:11:33,110
Yeah, please do.

798
01:11:33,570 --> 01:11:36,630
It's really, it's, you know, none of us will say anything.

799
01:11:38,150 --> 01:11:44,830
The minister, the town of ministers says something, the Northeast Regional Manager of Suez

800
01:11:44,830 --> 01:11:45,410
will say something.

801
01:11:45,410 --> 01:11:48,790
I mean, actually, I think the CEO and president of

802
01:11:49,550 --> 01:11:54,150
Sue, not acquiring the president of the CEO of Sue Ed

803
01:11:54,150 --> 01:11:56,890
are going to be on site at the treatment plant

804
01:11:56,890 --> 01:12:00,010
welcoming and thanking their new employees.

805
01:12:01,150 --> 01:12:05,330
So I think that's a really nice gesture for them.

806
01:12:06,150 --> 01:12:07,850
So this is really a Sue Ed's thing,

807
01:12:08,070 --> 01:12:10,390
but we're invited to participate.

808
01:12:10,950 --> 01:12:15,970
And I think it will be a short and sweet.

809
01:12:16,510 --> 01:12:20,790
The town will send out some sort of pressure released announcing the closing of it.

810
01:12:21,170 --> 01:12:27,330
And we hope to have some sort of a celebration at some point when the sole COVID thing ends.

811
01:12:27,770 --> 01:12:30,750
But we didn't think it was appropriate today to do that.

812
01:12:32,170 --> 01:12:35,750
So that's it. We're in the five yard line, maybe the three yard line.

813
01:12:35,750 --> 01:12:41,470
and we just, you know, we don't anticipate a Malcolm Butler type of an

814
01:12:41,470 --> 01:12:48,050
interception. So we're excited and it's two days away and then it's our baby.

815
01:12:48,210 --> 01:12:51,950
You know, as Murphy's Law has it, there will probably be a major water man break

816
01:12:51,950 --> 01:12:58,610
around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. But, you know, I think folks are ready to handle that.

817
01:12:58,790 --> 01:13:00,370
Should that occur? So

818
01:13:02,640 --> 01:13:06,660
good. So we'll move forward with those studies. We'll circle back.

819
01:13:06,660 --> 01:13:09,560
I'll circle back with you guys individually on kind of what the next steps are.

820
01:13:09,760 --> 01:13:12,540
I've got a couple of open-ended questions for the town.

821
01:13:12,600 --> 01:13:17,260
The towns have their hands full on a couple of issues lately, so I'll have more attention

822
01:13:17,260 --> 01:13:21,900
from them early next week to talk about these studies and we'll figure out how best to proceed.

823
01:13:24,370 --> 01:13:28,510
And then something just to think about, I don't want to keep you folks too long here tonight,

824
01:13:28,510 --> 01:13:35,290
but the other part of our responsibility is, again, we'll drop off the transition name

825
01:13:35,290 --> 01:13:40,830
at some point and will just be the water system evaluation committee and that's really all about

826
01:13:42,750 --> 01:13:50,670
governance and you know is what is what's in place working and is there a way to improve upon

827
01:13:51,930 --> 01:13:59,990
what we have I will most likely and I haven't done it yet you know Karen Johnson did a lot of work

828
01:13:59,990 --> 01:14:02,770
in terms of collecting what other peer towns

829
01:14:02,770 --> 01:14:05,350
that have done, and I'm going to ask her

830
01:14:05,350 --> 01:14:07,010
for that information to the extent

831
01:14:07,010 --> 01:14:09,270
that she's willing to share with me.

832
01:14:09,710 --> 01:14:11,550
It would be really helpful to know

833
01:14:11,550 --> 01:14:13,610
kind of what our peer communities are doing

834
01:14:13,610 --> 01:14:15,010
without having to recreate the wheel.

835
01:14:16,030 --> 01:14:18,790
And then I think we need to figure out as a committee,

836
01:14:20,090 --> 01:14:21,130
and what's her methodology

837
01:14:21,130 --> 01:14:22,890
and what kind of metrics will we use

838
01:14:22,890 --> 01:14:25,150
to figure out if it's a working or not working?

839
01:14:26,010 --> 01:14:27,150
I don't have any answers,

840
01:14:27,150 --> 01:14:32,670
And I'll be open to whatever you folks suggest in terms of how we think through this.

841
01:14:34,690 --> 01:14:39,910
But the system needs time to mature and to get in place and things need to run.

842
01:14:40,250 --> 01:14:44,470
And, you know, we'll probably need to go through one rate signing cycle and see how that works

843
01:14:44,470 --> 01:14:50,890
and, you know, take the pulse of the customers and talk to haul and talk to go has it and make

844
01:14:50,890 --> 01:14:55,590
sure folks feel, you know, just get in some input and, you know, so this is going to be

845
01:14:55,590 --> 01:14:59,870
longer term, but I just want to put it in the back of your heads to, you know, just take

846
01:15:00,440 --> 01:15:17,940
What would be helpful for us to make these decisions, and just think about some of those metrics you may want to see down the road. That's why I wanted to have that as an agenda item today, just so we don't forget about it. I think the existence of another committee, I think it's called a water board.

847
01:15:20,600 --> 01:15:28,380
But I think it's primarily devoted to scrutiny of water rates. If I got my facts correct.

848
01:15:29,100 --> 01:15:33,760
actually there's a there's a it's the the water supply committee more

849
01:15:33,760 --> 01:15:38,480
supply and they're actually you know they served previously and I think

850
01:15:39,260 --> 01:15:45,680
Kirk Schilz is a member of that I think that it needs to be discussions

851
01:15:45,680 --> 01:15:50,400
around their role moving forward if they they ended up serving as kind of the

852
01:15:50,400 --> 01:15:57,080
liaison the the town committee liaison for aquarium so aquarium would go to them

853
01:15:57,080 --> 01:16:02,180
on a really on a quarterly basis and provide an update as to what's happening with the

854
01:16:02,180 --> 01:16:02,560
system.

855
01:16:04,780 --> 01:16:09,820
And then they also, they historically became involved like, they were formed like 30

856
01:16:09,820 --> 01:16:13,280
years ago and there was some significant supply issues going on now.

857
01:16:14,280 --> 01:16:19,120
So they were monitoring the supply of the system and helping to determine and study whether

858
01:16:19,120 --> 01:16:28,260
on new wells needed to be found or dog or whatever the right terminology is brought online,

859
01:16:28,420 --> 01:16:33,960
I guess. And then they morphed into sort of the liaison for requirements. So I think

860
01:16:33,960 --> 01:16:37,940
there needs to be some discussions around kind of what their future is.

861
01:16:38,960 --> 01:16:44,820
Yeah, I'd forgotten about that committee, but there is another one. Yes, the rules and regulations.

862
01:16:45,680 --> 01:16:47,740
There's a customer advisory board.

863
01:16:48,280 --> 01:16:48,820
That's it.

864
01:16:49,320 --> 01:16:49,520
Cap.

865
01:16:50,560 --> 01:16:50,660
Cap.

866
01:16:51,320 --> 01:16:55,120
So that is, that is going to be, that's six individuals.

867
01:16:56,140 --> 01:16:56,740
Is that six?

868
01:16:56,740 --> 01:16:57,120
Let's see.

869
01:16:57,260 --> 01:16:58,260
Three, two, one.

870
01:16:58,360 --> 01:16:58,440
Yes.

871
01:16:59,340 --> 01:17:01,760
Three from Hang-Up, two from Hall, one from Cohesive.

872
01:17:03,400 --> 01:17:07,720
And their job is to be really the advocate, if you will.

873
01:17:10,360 --> 01:17:13,180
My understanding is, and now they have not yet been selected.

874
01:17:15,200 --> 01:17:17,200
and nor has that board formed yet.

875
01:17:17,700 --> 01:17:20,220
I mean, I'm sure that's kind of on this Electments agenda.

876
01:17:21,820 --> 01:17:25,580
But they'll be kind of the customer advocate for the system,

877
01:17:25,820 --> 01:17:28,440
as well as they'll have some input into the rate setting process.

878
01:17:30,200 --> 01:17:32,040
Now it could be disassembly board.

879
01:17:33,620 --> 01:17:35,480
So, you know, I don't want this committee to allow.

880
01:17:35,560 --> 01:17:37,160
I don't want our committee to last forever.

881
01:17:37,900 --> 01:17:39,880
You know, that's like the last thing any of us need.

882
01:17:40,020 --> 01:17:42,520
I think that we will have served the purpose at some point

883
01:17:42,520 --> 01:17:46,200
And we'll take what we have learned and we'll pass it on to somebody.

884
01:17:46,960 --> 01:17:53,860
And most likely it will be a combination of the cab, maybe around the rate structure

885
01:17:53,860 --> 01:17:55,480
and the rate setting process.

886
01:17:56,060 --> 01:18:01,560
So there'll be an informed body to help advocate, whether it's for the rate payer or the process.

887
01:18:02,380 --> 01:18:10,500
And then, you know, certainly the capital asset study will be, you know, the owner is the

888
01:18:10,500 --> 01:18:16,060
water superintendent and the water commissioners of that study. So at some point we'll, you know,

889
01:18:16,900 --> 01:18:21,160
I think once we look at the governance and we've made a recommendation, I think at that point

890
01:18:22,040 --> 01:18:27,720
we'll have done our duty and served our purpose to the town unless called upon by the selectman to do

891
01:18:27,720 --> 01:18:35,100
something different. So that's my plan. I wanted to take the camp to be essentially the mechanism

892
01:18:35,100 --> 01:18:47,800
to collect the voice of the public and present that to the water commissioners, both from a budget development perspective and anything else that was there.

893
01:18:49,020 --> 01:18:55,120
Yeah, I think that over time, hopefully that's how that's that the committee will evolve.

894
01:18:56,300 --> 01:19:01,300
And hopefully they'll be holding once we're allowed to be together again.

895
01:19:02,100 --> 01:19:06,200
You know, I want to, I hope that they will make ratepayers,

896
01:19:06,200 --> 01:19:12,060
no matter where they live, feel welcomed and heard throughout all these processes.

897
01:19:12,520 --> 01:19:18,800
So, and really serve as an intermediary between the rate payer and the water commissioners.

898
01:19:18,940 --> 01:19:24,740
Certainly, go right to the water commissioners, but, you know, this board will be advocating on behalf of the customer.

899
01:19:26,520 --> 01:19:29,000
And I think we'll see how it evolves.

900
01:19:29,140 --> 01:19:30,200
I think it's going to be interesting.

901
01:19:30,580 --> 01:19:34,300
And frankly, that may be part of our charge.

902
01:19:35,580 --> 01:19:36,780
Is that sort of a board?

903
01:19:36,940 --> 01:19:37,520
Is that helpful?

904
01:19:37,840 --> 01:19:38,680
Is it not helpful?

905
01:19:38,980 --> 01:19:40,880
Is it true that you have more teeth?

906
01:19:42,160 --> 01:19:44,100
Should it serve in another capacity?

907
01:19:45,440 --> 01:19:48,460
Is the water commissioner, is selected as water commissioners?

908
01:19:49,020 --> 01:19:50,620
Should that be an elected position?

909
01:19:51,080 --> 01:19:54,380
Should that be, is it working as is?

910
01:19:54,380 --> 01:19:56,680
these are all things we'll need to we'll need to get around.

911
01:19:59,160 --> 01:20:00,600
So it should be an

912
01:20:00,600 --> 01:20:01,820
interesting process for us.

913
01:20:04,840 --> 01:20:08,200
So next meeting dates. I'm sorry are there any comments

914
01:20:08,200 --> 01:20:10,280
from the public on items not on the agenda?

915
01:20:14,480 --> 01:20:17,920
You're in none. Okay next step. So again

916
01:20:17,920 --> 01:20:24,300
we have a potential I'm almost I'm gonna post tomorrow our potential

917
01:20:24,300 --> 01:20:29,320
participation on Monday. I don't I'm gonna find out if I need to do that or not

918
01:20:29,320 --> 01:20:34,580
because we're not talking, we're not voting, we're just participating and showing up,

919
01:20:35,180 --> 01:20:39,080
but I'll double check that from an open meeting law perspective. I don't want to be in any

920
01:20:39,080 --> 01:20:45,920
sort of violation. This will just be literally on a Zoom call quietly listening to what transpires.

921
01:20:46,880 --> 01:20:52,160
But I'll find out. So if so, I'll circulate it just so you have a record of it.

922
01:20:53,600 --> 01:20:58,900
Next meeting date. A little bit unclear on that. I like to bring the water superintendant

923
01:20:58,900 --> 01:21:04,700
in. I think you'll be really informed by him. It'll be good for us to meet. Hopefully

924
01:21:04,700 --> 01:21:10,120
I'll have some more teeth around the capital asset and cost of service studies. We'll look

925
01:21:10,120 --> 01:21:16,540
back to see how things went on this transition. Where could we have done a better job and

926
01:21:16,540 --> 01:21:21,940
maybe where not that we're going to go through another transition, but you know, is your

927
01:21:21,940 --> 01:21:26,820
aspects of the service? Because, you know, frankly, I think now we're serving as sort of the

928
01:21:26,820 --> 01:21:32,580
client advisory board on this stuff. So, you know, where can we improve the communication,

929
01:21:32,940 --> 01:21:38,360
where can we improve the service, you know, just to see, just to act as a sounding board for the,

930
01:21:38,360 --> 01:21:44,960
for the select men on these kinds of things. So uncertain when the next meeting is, yeah, I would

931
01:21:44,960 --> 01:21:48,300
love for, what is it? It's end of July today.

932
01:21:50,780 --> 01:21:53,260
I don't know if we'll need one before the end of the summer.

933
01:21:54,500 --> 01:21:59,600
Maybe in September, but I'm happy to meet earlier if you feel as a need for that,

934
01:22:00,760 --> 01:22:05,780
and if you feel like we're missing something or need to be more actively involved with something,

935
01:22:06,260 --> 01:22:08,920
just ping me offline. I'm happy to talk about it with you.

936
01:22:12,460 --> 01:22:13,700
That sounds good to you.

937
01:22:16,620 --> 01:22:27,820
You know, maybe, you know, I don't know. We'll see. You know, if you feel like there's a need for some sort of a pulse transition debrief sooner than the summer, I'll let you know, and I'll see if you guys are available or not.

938
01:22:29,480 --> 01:22:30,480
But all is good.

939
01:22:31,780 --> 01:22:34,200
Unfortunately, I don't think it was there too much to do.

940
01:22:35,380 --> 01:22:40,980
You know, it doesn't seem like it's summer, but it doesn't kind of seem like it, you know, it's weird.

941
01:22:41,560 --> 01:22:43,280
But you guys both got away.

942
01:22:45,400 --> 01:22:49,820
I don't know about vacation anymore, so that's the benefit of my situation.

943
01:22:50,720 --> 01:22:53,340
Right. I know. I was going to say, David, you're fully retired.

944
01:22:53,720 --> 01:22:56,980
So, Dick, are you still involved in your in your business?

945
01:22:57,920 --> 01:22:58,040
Yeah.

946
01:22:58,540 --> 01:22:58,620
Yeah.

947
01:23:00,260 --> 01:23:06,020
I discovered some of the semi-retired, but no, I'm still involved.

948
01:23:06,980 --> 01:23:07,160
Yeah.

949
01:23:07,160 --> 01:23:07,220
Yeah.

950
01:23:07,920 --> 01:23:11,040
In fact, it's way more time on a computer now than I do.

951
01:23:13,620 --> 01:23:20,220
I know, as he said, the personal interaction is very limited these days, so it's a whole

952
01:23:20,220 --> 01:23:20,920
different environment.

953
01:23:21,580 --> 01:23:24,900
Well, I'm usually in my basement and I'm in the house in the cave, but I'm usually working

954
01:23:24,900 --> 01:23:25,560
out of the basement.

955
01:23:25,840 --> 01:23:31,660
So, if you were in a video call earlier today, you would see the hot water heater behind me

956
01:23:31,660 --> 01:23:33,700
and the electrical box behind me.

957
01:23:33,700 --> 01:23:37,100
So I move when I'm on a video call just for that reason.

958
01:23:38,080 --> 01:23:39,280
Well, thanks, everybody.

959
01:23:39,540 --> 01:23:43,140
Thanks for your participation tonight and your input

960
01:23:43,140 --> 01:23:46,560
and your work you've done thus far and the help

961
01:23:46,560 --> 01:23:47,960
you're going to give us moving forward.

962
01:23:49,320 --> 01:23:53,520
So with that, I would accept a motion to adjourn.

963
01:23:56,500 --> 01:23:59,180
I move the motion to be adjourned.

964
01:23:59,660 --> 01:24:00,140
Thank you.

965
01:24:00,360 --> 01:24:00,440
So.

966
01:24:00,800 --> 01:24:01,120
Second.

967
01:24:01,540 --> 01:24:02,060
Great.

968
01:24:02,340 --> 01:24:03,140
Dick, how do you vote?

969
01:24:04,260 --> 01:24:12,420
in favor and my compliments I'm a little bit great on the envelope great thank you David how do

970
01:24:12,420 --> 01:24:19,440
you vote to adjourn and move to adjourn or accept the motion to as do I well thank you again for

971
01:24:19,440 --> 01:24:22,900
everything and enjoy the rest of your summer and we'll talk soon