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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-27-WSAB-min(`OJ51 MOgryi'Y Minutes g o y r7s c Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board w 201 Bedford Street 3 x Lexington, MA 02420 APRIL 1 9'" INGT June 27, 2013 �� APPROVED 7118113 Attendance: Board Members: Loren Wood, Chair, and Jim Osten, Member. Staff: Erik Gitschier, Water /Sewer Superintendent and Robin Fullford, Utility Billing. Chair Loren Wood called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. The order of business was conducted as follows: Status Report of Abatement Requests Ms. Fullford provided a status report as follows: 30 To be heard tonight 1 Appeal 98 to be heard in the future 129 Total Review for approval Minutes of the March 18, 2013 and May 30, 2013 meetings It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve the minutes as presented. Disposition of Abatement Requests Leaks 9 Berwick Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill # 727597. This spring leaks were found and repaired in the irrigation system. The homeowner provided a receipt for the parts. The three year average fall usage is 25 therefore we recalculated all but 25 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $147.11 20 Bird Hill Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill # 735298. They discovered that due to an accident, the irrigation system leaked throughout the winter and they provided a receipt for the repairs. The three year average fall usage is 8 therefore we recalculated all but 8 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $281.70. 15 Cedar Street The homeowners were approved for a leak -based abatement on bill #715784. Because the leak continued into the next billing period they have applied for an abatement on bill # 729742 as well. The average fall usage is 26 hcf therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $192.00. 489 Concord Avenue The owner of this property has allowed the neighborhood tennis association to use his water for watering down the courts for years. He applied for an abatement on bill # 732705. In the spring, when the hoses were set up once again, the engineer found that high pressure from the source had blown out their equipment. This unknown failure caused far more water to be used. The 3 year average usage is 24; therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one water rates and just 24 units at tier one sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,326.59. 136 East Street The board approved an abatement recommendation on bill #726930 but the leak continued into the next billing period. The toilet leak was repaired and the homeowner provided a receipt. The 3 year fall average is 47 hcf therefore we recalculated all but 7 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $102.00. 32 Edgewood Road The homeowners were approved for a leak based abatement on bill #s 727457 and 713496. Because the leak continued into the next billing period they have applied for an abatement on bill # 745725 as well. The average fall (`OJ51 MOgryi'Y Minutes g o y r7s c Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board w 201 Bedford Street 3 s Lexington, MA 02420 APRIL II June 27, 2013 INGT�� APPROVED 7118113 usage is 50 hcf therefore we recalculated all but 10 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $120.00. 30 Fairlawn Lane — Domestic Leak The homeowners filed an abatement on bill # 720860. Staff found and adjusted 4 toilets leaking in overflow. The average usage is 45 therefore we recalculated all but 5 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $906.29. 30 Fairlawn Lane — Irrigation on Domestic The homeowners have an irrigation meter and last fall installed new lawns and plantings and watered from their outside faucets. They watered long after our fall reading on 9/11/12. After seeing the water bills and confirming with their irrigation service company, they realize the faucets are not tied into their irrigation meter. They are seeking a one time only irrigation on domestic meter abatement. They average spring usage is 46 so 70% of the excess usage (150 hcf) is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $2,703.00. 30 Fairlawn Lane - Interest Only This is an irrigation account. The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #720861 and subsequent bill # 734598 believing there must be a leak. This spring it was determined that there are no leaks in the system therefore they are ineligible for an abatement. Staff recommended waiving all interest that has accrued on the two bills. 36 Forest Street This property was empty for nine years. Neighbors observed water coming out of a basement window. A pipe had burst under the kitchen sink and did not enter the sewer system. The former owner had to pay the entire bill in order to close on the property. We recalculated all usage at tier one rates with no sewer Staff recommended an abatement of $5,815.15. 11 Lexington Avenue The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #721819 citing irrigation on a domestic meter and a leak. A staff found and adjusted a toilet leaking in overflow. This calculation establishes 22 as 70% of excess usage and that is recalculated at the irrigation rate with no sewer. To apply a leak based abatement as well, 9 units are in excess of the average usage and are recalculated at tier one rates. This abatement was delayed until the homeowners hired a plumber to remove the meter that was soldered in place. The homeowners have installed an irrigation meter. Staff recommended an abatement of $384.76. 341 Marrett Road This is a condominium irrigation account. The association applied for an abatement on bill # 731522. In the spring a leak in the irrigation system was detected and repaired and an invoice was provided. In order to establish an average usage we calculated ADU from the meter installation to bill # 703619. The derived average usage is 274 + 278 = 552. This is an irrigation account, therefore we recalculated the excess usage of 208 hcf at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $651.04. 29 Oxbow Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill # 715367. Staff found and adjusted 2 toilets leaking in overflow but we had to wait until this spring to establish normal usage. The average spring usage is 63 therefore we recalculated all but 23 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $173.20 48 Parker Street The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill # 724703. Staff found and adjusted two toilets leaking in overflow and another in need of a new fluidmaster. The homeowner provided a receipt for the parts. The two year average fall usage is 39 therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $174.00. 27 Paul Revere Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill # 729241. The homeowner cited leaks in the irrigation system and provided a receipt for the repairs. The three year average fall usage is 117 therefore we recalculated the excess usage of 28 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $87.64. 2 (`OJ51 MOgryi'Y Minutes g o y r7s c Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board w 201 Bedford Street 3 x Lexington, MA 02420 APRIL 1 9'" INGT June 27, 2013 �� APPROVED 7118113 2 Payson Street The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #732174. Staff found and adjusted 2 toilets leaking in overflow. The 3 year average fall usage is 25 therefore all usage is recalculated at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $102.00. 17 Peachtree Road The homeowners previously were granted an abatement on bill #720813 for a toilet leak. Because the leak continued into part of the next billing period, they have requested an abatement on bill #734548 as well. The average spring usage is 28 hcf therefore all usage was recalculated at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $36.00. 32 Philip Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #721625. They state they had a leaky back-flow device replaced but could not provide a receipt. Staff did confirm the device is new and the usage is back down to 32 hcf. The average fall usage is 30 therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $198.00. However, Superintendent Gitschier suggested that if the back-flow device had leaked 42 hcf, the basement would have flooded. The board requested Ms. Fullford to contact the homeowners and ask if they had had such a flood. This abatement was withdrawn until further information is available. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for leak based abatements with the exception of 32 Philip Road. Redistributions 22 Albemarle Avenue The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #733702. The meter was replaced on 5/10/13 with an outread of 1117 indicating we had over estimated. We calculated ADU and derived usage. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,132.86. 36 Courtyard Place The homeowner applied for an abatement on estimated bill # 728333. We were unable to obtain readings because the meter was not wired and we had put several notes on bills for the homeowner to call and schedule an installation. The wire and pad were installed on 3/27/13 and the reading obtained for the spring bill indicated we had overestimated the usage. Going back to the final reading on 3/31/11 we calculated ADU and redistributed usage. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,191.37. 40 Shade Street This irrigation account had been estimated since 2010. The meter was replaced on 12/17/12 with an outread of 2335 indicating we had over estimated. We calculated ADU and derived usage back to the last "A" read. Staff recommended an abatement of $805.72. 125 Worthen Road This is a commercial irrigation account. It was discovered that we had been dropping a digit on this meter and under billing the usage. The reading on 7/26/11 for a final bill was 855 and we changed it to 8550. The reading for Bill #735987 was 10541. We subtracted 8550 from it and also subtracted the 173 units that had already been billed netting 1818 hcf to be billed. This calculation redistributes the usage in order to charge appropriate rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $124.61. 343 Marrett Road Unable to obtain a reading since a postcard read on 11/07/2005, this account has been estimated for years. The meter was replaced on 6/07/2012 with an outread of 460 causing a large catch up bill. The outread was changed to 484 to capture the usage from 976 to 1000. The board approved a calculation of ADU and redistributed usage back to 5/2/2005 in the amount of $6,447.98. Staff offered a new recommendation to go back three years in conformance with the calculation on 17 Tower Road and recommended an abatement of $9,999.18. (`OJ51 MOgryi'Y Minutes g o y r7s c Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board w 201 Bedford Street 3 x Lexington, MA 02420 APRIL 1 9'" INGT June 27, 2013 �� APPROVED 7118113 97 Potter Pond The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #736703 which is a "catch -up" bill following a missed billing in the fall of 2012. The account had been tagged as pending for a final that did not occur. Staff recommended an abatement of $289.26. 877 Waltham Street We were unable to read this meter until a radio read device was installed on 9/26/12. The reading for the spring bill indicated we had under estimated usage. The homeowner stated he had installed a new lawn and watered heavily. However, since this property is not tied into the sewer system, he is ineligible for an irrigation on domestic abatement. We established ADU and derived usage. Staff recommended an abatement of $595.48. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for Redistribution abatements Billing /Meter Issues 3 Appletree Lane The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #734495 because they qualified for but did not receive a rate subsidy. We revised the bill amount by applying the 30% reduction. Staff recommended an abatement of $91.26. 91 Cary Avenue The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #754887. The meter was replaced on 6/7/13 with an outread of 225 indicating we had over estimated. We calculated ADU and derived usage. The remaining 5 units will be captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of $373.00. 8 Brent Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #744963. The meter was changed on 5/21/13 with an outread of 2794 indicating we had over estimated. We calculated ADU and derived usage at 32 hcf. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,213.72. 24 Estabrook Road This account is on the freeze up list and staff did not subtract the 16 units used during that period of time. This calculation reduces the usage from 42 hcf to 26 hcf. Staff recommended an abatement of #174.24. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for Billing /Meter Issues Abatements Irrigation on Domestic 67 Simonds Road The former homeowners filed an application for abatement on bill # 725398 for irrigation on a domestic meter. Their average fall usage is 54 and 70% of the excess usage of 30 hcf (21) are recalculated at irrigation rates. The homeowners have since installed an irrigation meter. Staff recommended an abatement of $238.85. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for Irrigation on Domestic Abatements Interest Only 6 Norton Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #720136, an irrigation account. When no leaks were found in the spring, the homeowner paid the balance due including interest. Staff recommends abatement of all interest associated with bill #720136. Staff recommended an abatement of interest only. 12 Wheeler Road The homeowners requested a leak survey after receiving bill #720920. Staff found no leaks and recommended abatement of interest only. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for Interest Only Abatements (`OJ51 MOgryi'Y Minutes g o y r7s c Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board w 201 Bedford Street 3 x Lexington, MA 02420 APRIL 19'" INGT June 27, 2013 APPROVED 7118113 Schedule next meeting The board will next meet on Thursday July 18, 2013 Adjourn It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 PM.