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Home My WebLink About2014-04-24-WSAB-min 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 Attendance: Board Members: Loren Wood, Chair and Jim Osten, Member. Staff: Rob Addelson, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, Bill Hadley, DPW Director, Erik Gitschier, Superintendent and Elizabeth Tucker and Robin Fullford, Utility Billing. 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: 42 To be heard tonight 10 To be heard in the future 54 On hold for history 94 Total Approval of Minutes of the Meeting It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 16 and February 24, 2014 meetings as presented. Disposition of Abatement Requests Leaks 27 Douglas Road The son of the former homeowner applied for an abatement on final bill #770662. Prior to the closing on 2/26/14 the house had been empty and a running toilet was observed when the final read was taken. The developer who purchased the property was informed of the leak and turned the toilet off. The average fall usage is 44 therefore we recalculated all but 4 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,285.58. 229 East Street This was a rental property. The owners repaired a leaking toilet in response to the high usage on bill#745228. In the meantime, the house they were living in burned down and ultimately they moved into 229 East Street but they lost any proof of repair. 1 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 However their subsequent usage is back to normal and staff is confident that the leak was repaired. The average spring bill is 42 therefore we recalculated all but 2 units at FY2013 tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$924.29. 39 Paul Revere Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #766541. They found that a toilet was leaking and provided a receipt for repair. The average fall usage is 47 therefore we recalculated all but 7 units at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$273.02. 26 Peacock Farm Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill # 760491. She states a plumber detected a toilet leak and replaced the toilet. Staff visited on 11/8/13 and found no leaks but did report a new toilet and a new fluid master in another toilet. We did not use bill #709347 to establish average usage because it was abated due to a leak. The 2 year average fall usage is 26 hcf therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one rates. The board put a hold on this application until we receive a receipt from the homeowner which we have. Staff recommended an abatement of -$42.63. 128 Spring Street This is a large commercial account that we were unable to read last fall and estimated usage. In January we obtained a reading of 12707. The management company filed an application for abatement on bill #769820 and provided invoices for the repair of a heat exchanger dated 12/20/2013 and a cooling tower dated 4/13/13, both of which they say were leaking. To date the management company has not been able to provide proof that the leaks did not enter the sewer system. The 3 year average fall usage is 1087 therefore we recalculated 338 units at tier one rates. If later they can provide proof that the leaks did not enter the sewer system we will recalculate the 298 units of leakage at tier one rates no sewer. Staff recommended an abatement of - $15,022.66. 37 Tower Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #759116. They provided a copy of a plumber's invoice for repair of a toilet. The average fall usage is 57 therefore we recalculated all but 17 units at tier one rates. I was unable to ascertain the reason for the high usage on Bill #721932 although I asked the homeowners in emails twice so I left it in the calculation of average usage. Staff recommended an abatement of -$673.24. 17 Utica Street The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #763355. They state they found a ruptured hose up in the tree line that leaked for an undetermined length of time and a plumber detected and repaired a toilet that was running constantly. The 3 year 2 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 fall average usage is 17 therefore all usage is recalculated at tier one rates and one half of the excess usage is recalculated at tier one no sewer. Staff recommended an abatement of -$3,132.69. 3 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 4 Westminster Avenue The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill # 734252. Staff found and adjusted two toilets leaking in overflow. The homeowner further stated she came home to a flood when the hot water heater burst in November 2012 and she provided a plumbers invoice for replacement. The one year average fall usage is 30 and the one year spring average is 13, therefore we recalculated all usage on bill #s 757701 and 734252 at tier one rates. Further, the homeowners advocate while she is out of the country stated the flooding occurred in a 1,000 square foot room and was a depth of 2". That equals 1.7 hundred cubic feet so on bill # 734252 we recalculated 2 units with no sewer charge. Staff recommended an abatement of -$3,013.05. 31 Woodpark Circle The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill #766400. He found and repaired a toilet leak and provided a receipt for parts. The 3 year average fall usage is 17, therefore we recalculated all usage at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$207.06. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and approved unanimously to approve the leak-based abatement recommendations as presented. Irrigation on Domestic Meter 1 Conestoga Road The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #766407. They state they filled a 24,000 gallon pool which developed leaks and required more water. A repair receipt was provided. The 3 year fall average usage is 58. We calculated that 32 hcf were used to fill the pool so 70% of that (22) was recalculated at irrigation rates, 18 units were calculated at tier two rates and the balance of 77 units was recalculated at tier one rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$772.48. 10 Moon Hill Road The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #758688 citing irrigation on a domestic meter. They understand this is a one-time only abatement of its type. The 2 year average usage is 50. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$147.75. 9 Parker Street The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #761853 citing irrigation on a domestic meter. She understands this is a one-time only abatement of its type. She has a well for irrigation and last spring someone from the irrigation company tied her irrigation into the domestic rather than the well. She was unaware until her bill came. A plumber corrected the 4 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 connection and the Plumbing Inspector passed inspection on the work. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,858.79. 5 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 22 Woodland Road The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #764785 citing irrigation on a domestic meter. They understand this is a one-time only abatement of its type. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of -$19.70. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and approved unanimously to approve the irrigation on domestic meter abatement recommendations as presented. Over Estimated 7 ƱǗǎǚǟǟ ǂǚǌǏ J ƴǚǘǐǞǟǔǎ The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #764268. The meter was replaced on 12/3/2013 with an outread of 1569 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 35 hcf. The excess 11 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$707.55. 7 ƱǗǎǚǟǟ ǂǚǌǏ J ƹǝǝǔǒǌǟǔǚǙ The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #764269. The meter was replaced on 12/3/2013 with an outread of 3208 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 136 hcf. The excess 42 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,074.20. 25 Blossom Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #760375. The meter was replaced with an outread of 1708 on 1/24/14 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 36 hcf. The excess 25 units will be captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,191.64. 17 Clelland Road- Domestic The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #758437. A Radio read device was installed on 11/5/2013 and the meter read was 254 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We went back to the postcard reading of 9/18/12, established ADU and derived usages for the two estimated bills. The excess 6 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,458.00. 06 ƳǗǐǗǗǌǙǏ ǂǚǌǏ J ƹǝǝǔǒǌǟǔǚǙ 6 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #758438. A radio read device was installed on 11/5/2013 and the meter read was 28 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We went back to the postcard reading of 9/18/12, established ADU and derived usage for the estimated fall bill. Staff recommended an abatement of -$111.39 5 Fairland Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #766011. The meter was replaced on 2/14/2014 with an outread of 997 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 45 hcf. The excess 32 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,068.40. 40 Garfield Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #767338. The meter was replaced on 11/30/13 with an outread of 205 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 25 hcf. The excess 6 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,305.05. 18 Hancock Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #762970. The wire was replaced on 12/5/13 and the meter read was 1146 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 91 hcf over two billing periods. The excess 16 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$3,669.00. 0611 ƽǌǞǞǌǎǓǠǞǐǟǟǞ ƱǡǐǙǠǐ J ǇǔǟǓǏǝǌǢǙ 104 Potter Pond The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #760152. The meter was replaced on 11/22/13 with an outread of 1583 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 33 hcf. The excess 8 units will be captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,305.05. 9 Sutherland Road The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #758368. The meter was replaced with an outread of 802 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 38 hcf. The replaced usage of 37 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,171.02. 28 Theresa Avenue 7 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #757066. The meter was read on 12/2/13 at 3416 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of724 hcf. The excess 13 units will be captured in the spring billing. This abatement was on hold until the meter is changed, but the homeowner needs to replace the shut off valve first. It is currently too much of a burden for him to do with his declining health. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,284.43. 8 Tucker Avenue The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #760822. The meter was replaced with an outread of 1657 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We established ADU and derived usage of 25 hcf. The excess 16 units will be captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$318.65. 7 Turning Mill Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill # 768282. The meter was replaced on 2/28/14 with an outread of 739 indicating we had overestimated the usage. We went back to the Manual read on 5/1/12, established ADU and derived usage. The excess 13 units will be captured in the spring bill run. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,802.93. 11 Volunteer Way The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #767993. The meter was replaced on 1/6/2014 with an outread of 1325 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We went back to the last postcard reading, established ADU and derived usage for bill #'s 767993 and 753817. The excess 20 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$789.46. 21 Walnut Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #760054. The meter was replaced on 11/25/13 with an outread of 5671 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We went back to the last postcard reading, established ADU and derived usage for bill #'s 760054 and 736614. The excess 12 units will be captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$2,600.87. It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and approved unanimously to approve the overestimated abatement recommendations as presented with the exception of 1722 Massachusetts Avenue. Billing/Meter Issues 8 2014/04/24 WSAB min Approved Minutes Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 April 24, 2014 Approved 5/29/14 0/ ƻǐǐǗǐǝ ƶǌǝǘ ǇǌǤ J ƴǚǘǐǞǟǔǎ The meters were found to be reversed. These calculations substitute the correct readings for each account. Staff recommended an abatement of -$1,516.43 on the domestic account. ƻǐǐǗǐǝ ƶǌǝǘ ǇǌǤ J ƹǝǝǔǒǌǟǔǚǙ The meters were found to be reversed. These calculations substitute the correct readings for each account. Staff recommended positive charge of $400.48 on the irrigation account. This results in a net credit of -$1,115.95.10. 6 ǀǗǐǌǞǌǙǟ ǃǟǝǐǐǟ J ǇǔǟǓǏǝǌǢǙ 46 Turning Mill Road The homeowner applied for an abatement on bill # 768323. The meter was replaced on 1/16/14 with an outread of 755 indicating the postcard read was inaccurate. We went back to the postcard read on 5/1/12, established ADU and derived usage. The additional 25 units will be captured in the spring bill run. This property is not tied in to Town Sewer. Staff recommended an abatement of -$599.07. 498 Waltham Street The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #759663. The meter was replaced on 11/5/2013 with an outread of 1716 indicating we had overestimated their usage. We went back to the last Manual reading, established ADU and derived usage for bill #'s 759663 and 736221. The excess 19 units will be captured in the spring billing. Staff recommended an abatement of -$351.74. 343 Woburn Street - Withdrawn It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and approved unanimously to approve the Meter/Billing Issue abatement recommendations as presented with the exception of 7 Pleasant Street and 343 Woburn Street. Schedule next meeting The board will next meet on Thursday 5/29/2014. Adjourn It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 PM. 9