HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-16-WSAB-min
2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
Attendance:
Board Members: Loren Wood, Chair, and Jim Osten, Member. Staff: Rob Addelson, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, Bill
Hadley, DPW Director and Elizabeth Tucker 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 presented the following status report:
32 To be heard tonight
2 Appeals to be heard tonight
178 To be heard in the future
210 Total
Appeals:
23 Richard Road
Mr. Stephen Sheehan, owner of 23 Richard Road, met with members of the board on appeal. The board
had previously voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen a leak-based abatement on his domestic
account in the amount of $113.01. Mr. Sheehan stated that he was satisfied with that recommendation
but was concerned that he had missed an opportunity to file an application for abatement on his high
irrigation usage. He was told that if in the spring when he reopens his irrigation system he finds
and repairs any leaks, he will be eligible for an abatement on that account. Mr. Sheehan
thanked the board.
430 Concord Avenue
Mr. John Sellars, owner of 430 Concord Avenue, met with the board on appeal. The board had voted to recommend to the
Board of Selectmen a one time only irrigation on a domestic meter abatement in 2013. They denied a second application for
the same type of abatement on the same account. Mr. Sellars explained that most of the water is used to irrigate vegetation but
installation of an irrigation meter would require a second service live and the cost would be prohibitive. Mr. Wood told Mr. Sellars
that they had no authority to waive the service requirement nor could they grant a second abatement. Mr. Sellars was told he
was free to go to the board of selectmen to make his case for a waiver of the requirements. Mr. Sellars thanked those present
for their time.
Disposition of Abatement Requests
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
Leaks
140 Adams Street
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #765022. He detected and repaired a leaking toilet and
provided a receipt for the part. The three year average fall usage is 37 therefore we recalculated all
usage at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $170.52.
6 April Lane
This is a 10 unit residential building and tier one rates apply to the first 400 hcf. The management firm
filed for an abatement on bill #759920 and provided an invoice for the repair of leaks. The average fall
usage is 321 therefore all usage is recalculated at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of
$1,242.36.
5 Barrymeade Drive
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #768595. They identified and repaired a toilet and
provided a copy of the receipt. Their 3 year average fall usage is 50; therefore we recalculated all but 10
units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $283.57.
26 Earl Street
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #767588. They had faucet and toilet parts replaced
and provided receipts. Their 3 year average fall usage is 51 therefore we recalculated all but 11 units at
tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $109.62.
43 Laconia Street
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill # 763514. On staff advise he identified and had
repaired several leaks. He is 91 years old, lives alone and could not see or hear the leaks. Staff suspects
the leaks started some time ago and recommend abating the last three bills. The spring and fall
averages are 45 and 42 respectively so we recalculated the spring bills with all but 5 units at tier one
rates and the fall bills with all but 2 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of
$786.12.
1749 Massachusetts Avenue
This is a downtown coffee shop. Staff notified the manager after seeing the elevated usage. The
corporate office filed an application and provided copies of plumber’s receipts to identify and replace a
leaking water closet. The 3 year average spring usage is 268 hcf therefore we recalculated the excess
usage of 351 hcf at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $5,057.91.
22 Tufts Road
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #768751. He detected and repaired a toilet leak and
provided a receipt for parts. The 3 year fall average usage is 56 therefore we recalculated all but 16
units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $492.00.
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for leak
based abatements as presented
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
Over Estimated
18 Albemarle Avenue
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #757154. The meter was replaced with an outread of
1023 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 22 hcf.
Staff recommended an abatement of $1,335.98.
2 Barrymeade Drive
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill# 768520. The meter was removed 12/31/13 with an
outread of 651 indicating we had over estimated usage. We went back to the "F" reading from 9/6/2013,
established ADU and derived usage of 10 for bill # 768520. The additional 13 units will be captured in
the spring bill run. Staff recommended an abatement of $298.99.
545 Bedford Street
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #767156. The meter was replaced with an outread of
821 on 12/9/13 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of
32 hcf for the billing period. The excess usage will be captured in the spring bill run. Staff recommended
an abatement of $1,232.88.
17 Dane Road
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #761575. A new radio read was installed and the meter
read was 0143 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU back to the last
manual read on 10/1/2012 and derived usages of 47 and 45 hcf. The additional 17 units will be billed in
the spring. Staff recommended an abatement of $954.90.
31 Eaton Road
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #762571. The meter was replaced with an outread of
263 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 30 hcf. The
additional 6 units will be captured in the spring. Staff recommends an abatement of $1,253.50.
24 Fairland Street
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #766031. A radio read device was installed on 12/20/13
and the meter read 335 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived
usage of 12 hcf. The excess 4 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommends an
abatement of $1,439.08.
90 Grant Street
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #763962. The meter was replaced with an outread of
408 indicating we had over estimated their usage. A radio read device was installed. We established ADU
and derived usage of 19 hcf. The remaining 7 units will be captured in the spring billing.
Staff recommended an abatement of $1,366.91.
153 Grant Street
This account was over estimated on bill# 763997. A new wire & pad were installed on 11/14/13 and the
meter reading was 0624. We went back to the "P" reading from 10/11/2012 established ADU and
derived usage of 114 over the 2 billing periods. Staff also adjusted 3 toilets. The average fall usage is
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
45 therefore we recalculated all but 5 units on bill #763997 at tier one rates. The average spring usage
is 42 therefore we recalculated all but 2 units on bill #745054 at tier one rates. Staff recommended an
abatement of $893.31.
9 Holmes Road – Domestic
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #764329. They had returned post cards reads that staff
had not used. Radio Read devices were installed on 1/13/14 and the readings were verified. In this
calculation we used the postcard read to revise the bill. Staff recommended an abatement of
$1,305.05.
9 Holmes Road – Irrigation
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #764330. A radio read device was installed on 1/13/14
and the meter read 0077 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We recalculated based on the
postcard read of 77. The homeowners provided a receipt for the repair of leaks in the swimming pool.
The average usage is 8 therefore we recalculated the excess 7 units at tier one rates. Staff
recommended an abatement of $340.60.
28 Middleby Road
The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #769356. The meter was replaced with an outread of 750
on 12/20/13 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 22
hcf. The excess 6 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of
$185.58.
24 Revere Street
After having just replaced a meter that we believed had failed, we obtained a zero read on the new
meter. We estimated usage based on past years. The homeowners filed an application for abatement
stating they did not use their irrigation at all this past summer. This calculation negates bill # 762055
entirely. Staff recommended an abatement of $327.50.
5 Turnburry Road
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #770165. The meter was replaced with an outread of
2166 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 26 hcf.
The remaining 7 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of
$1,294.74.
338 Woburn Street
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #763367. A radio read device was installed and the
meter read 404 indicating we had over estimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of
14 hcf. The excess 5 units will be billed in the spring. This 2004 meter could not be changed due to
space issues as the house is on a slab. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,418.46.
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve staff recommendations for all
abatements based on over estimation.
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
Irrigation on Domestic
12 Barrymeade Drive
The former homeowners filed an application for abatement on bill # 768603 for irrigation on a domestic
meter. Their average fall usage is 33 and we recalculated 70% of the excess usage at irrigation rates.
The homeowners understand this is a one time only abatement of its kind. Staff recommended an
abatement of $131.81.
2 Bates Road
The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #729058 citing irrigation on a domestic meter. They
understand this is a one time only abatement of it's type and have had an irrigation meter installed. We
waited until after the fall bill run to establish average usage. 70% of the water used in excess of the
average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,904.83.
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve all staff recommendations for
Irrigation on Domestic abatements as presented.
Billing/Meter Issues
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
172 Bedford Street
This account had not been billed since the meter was installed in 2004. It was recently discovered and
billed its entire usage on 10/23/2013. We established average daily usage and derived usage going back
three years. Staff recommended an abatement of $22,878.98.
12 Calvin Street – Domestic and Irrigation
This is a staff generated abatement for switched meters. The domestic and irrigation meter serial
numbers were switched in Munis. In these calculations we have substituted the correct usage on each of
the accounts. Staff recommended a net credit to the homeowners of $238.61
Depot Square on Massachusetts Avenue
This is a duplicate Town account for irrigation at Depot Square. This account was set up as
Massachusetts Avenue and the other as Depot Square. Staff has determined that this account is the
duplicate and recommends abating all billings. Below is the correct billing for the account. Staff
recommended an abatement of $1,105.30.
8 Douglas Road
The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #763710. He just purchased the property on 8/20/13
and soon turned off the irrigation for the season. On closer examination, it was discovered that staff
misinterpreted the meter reading at the time of the final and under billed the previous owner. The final
read should have been 150, instead 15 was used. This recommendation recalculates the new owners'
usage at 15 hcf. Staff recommended an abatement of $884.25.
227 Follen Road
The homeowners failed to respond to several requests for a meter change and staff overestimated their
usage. The meter outread on 11/18/12 was 266 indicating the meter had failed sometime in 2009. We
calculated ADU from the readings taken since a new meter was installed and derived usage for the 6
billing periods which results in a positive adjustment. Staff recommended a positive adjustment of
$150.76.
9 Fulton Road
The readings that were obtained for bill #s 763670 and 763671 had to be hand entered into Munis
because recent meter changes were not recognized. Staff made an error and switched the readings.
These calculations correct the usage. Staff recommended a net abatement of $430.70.
Journey’s End
The president of the homeowners' association applied for an abatement on bill #770504. It is the first
full season bill they have received for irrigation because the original meter failed at 86. In July the
management company asked us to estimate the usage. We obtained a reading of 318 on 7/18/13 that
indicated a projected usage of 464 units. However on 10/29/13 the meter indicated 1204 hcf had been
used. On 1/7/14 we obtained a reading of 01241. The association has asked for consideration on the bill
because they would have made different decisions had they know the bill would be so high. However, in
the absence of a leak staff recommends denial of an abatement. If in the spring they find leaks in their
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2014/01/16 WSAB min
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
January 16, 2014
APPROVED 4/24/14
irrigation system they can reapply for an abatement. The bill in question was paid in full so there is no
interest to waive.
100 Lexington Ridge Drive
This is a residential condominium with 198 units. Their first 40(198) = 7,920 units are billed at tier one
rates. An error was made when staff entered the manual reading causing an over billing. The meter is in
a 15 foot deep pit; readings are difficult to obtain and it is incompatible with our reading equipment. The
customer has promised and is motivated to replace the meter with one that can be read from a touch
pad. Staff recommended an abatement of $97,622.78.
1039 Massachusetts Avenue
This is the irrigation account for a condominium association. The previous reading was 20208 and the
fall reading was 20385. This should have created a usage of 177 hcf but Munis billed zero. The treasurer
of the association requested a hand bill. This calculation results in the appropriate billing for 177 units at
irrigation rates. Note: Bill number 728387 was previously abated for a leak which is why the "Water
Charge" differs from the "Total Charge". Staff recommended a positive adjustment in the amount of
$1,159.35.
18 Revere Street
It was discovered that this account has not been charged for sewer although it is tied in. This calculation
goes back three years and results in a positive adjustment recommendation of $1,163.93.
Schedule next meeting
The board will next meet on Thursday February 20, 2014 with a snow date of February 27, 2014.
Adjourn
It was moved by Mr. Ribich, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:41 PM.
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