HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-18-WSAB-min
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
Attendance:
Board Members: Loren Wood, Chairperson, Jim Osten, Member and Bill Ribich, Member. Staff: Bill Hadley, DPW
Director, Rob Addelson, Assistant Town Manager for Finance and Robin Fullford, Utility Billing.
Loren Wood called the meeting to order at 4:32 pm.
The order of business was conducted as follows:
Status Report of Abatement Requests
Ms. Fullford presented the following status report:
2Appeals
32Tobeheardtonight
10Tobeheardinthenearfuture
59Onholdforhistoryordocumentation
103Total
Appeals
423BedfordStreetΑThehomeownerrequestingtheappealdidnotcometothemeeting
10MunroeRoadΑ5:30pm
Mr.andMrs.Sweeneyspoketotheboardabouttheirleakbasedabatement.Theycontended
thattheirplumberfoundaslighttoiletleakbut,inhisopinion,theleakcouldnothaveaccounted
fortheamountofwaterconsumed.Mr.Woodtoldthecouplethatwerelyonourmetersto
accuratelyrecordusageandbecausetheTownhasalreadypaidforthatusage,thecostattier
oneratesmustbepaidbythehomeowners.Theappealwasdenied.
Abatement Requests for Consideration:
Leaks
12BedfordStreet
ThehomeownerfiledforanabatementonBill#785505.Heprovidedarepairreceiptforaleaking
toiletandaleakingsillcock.The1yearaveragespringusageis35thereforewerecalculatedall
excessusage)fromthesewer
waterusageattieroneratesanddeducted14units(onehalfofthe
chargetorecognizethatsomeoftheleakdidnotenterthesewersystem.Staffrecommendedan
abatementof$231.98.
118CedarStreet
Thehomeownerrespondedtoalettertoscheduleameterchange.Shestatedtheincreasein
usagelastfallwasduetoatoiletleak.Thetoilethasbeenturnedoffuntilshecanbringina
plumber.ShewasunawaretheTownofferedleakbasedabatements.The3yearaveragespring
usageis43thereforewerecalculatedallbut3unitsofuseattieronerates.Staffrecommended
anabatementof$188.79.
1
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
476ConcordAvenue
Thehomeownerappliedforanabatementonbill#788519.Herhotwatertankleakedlastfall
intothegroundbelowtheslab.Wewereunabletoobtainareadinginthefallandestimated
usagebasedonpastusage.Weomittedbill#690821whenestablishingtheaveragebecauseit
hadbeenabated.The3yearaveragespringusageis24thereforewerecalculatedallusageattier
onewaterratesandonly24unitsattieronesewerrates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof
$892.52
558ConcordAvenue
Thehomeownerappliedforanabatementonbill#788543.PipesfrozeinFebruarycausingmajor
damagetotheinsideofthehouse.Aplumber'sinvoiceforrepairwassubmitted.The3year
averagespringusageis38thereforewerecalculatedallwaterusageattieroneratesand
becausetheleakdidnotenterthesewersystem,onlytheaverageusagehasbeencharged
sewer.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$7,795.59.
3CurveStreet
Thehomeowner'ssonfiledanapplicationonbill#771239.Hehadaleakrepairedbyaplumber
andprovidedareceipt.However,anotherleakcontinuedanditwasrepairedinJune;areceipt
wasprovided.Theboardpreviouslyapprovedaleakbasedabatementonbill#757327.Wedid
notusebill#733876intheaveragebecausewesuspectthatiswhentheleakstarted.The
averagespringusageis22hcfthereforewerecalculatedallusageattieronerates.Wehavealso
applieda30%discountbecausetheownersareeligibleforthelowincomeratesubsidy.Staff
recommendedanabatementof$119.36.
15DrummerBoyWay
Afterreceivingbill#786519thehomeownersidentifiedaleakintheundergroundpipesunder
theslab.Theyprovidedaninvoiceforrepairwhichstatestheyfoundtheleakundergroundandit
didnotenterthesewersystem.The3yearspringaverageusageis20thereforewerecalculated
allwaterusageattieroneratesandonly20unitsatsewerrates.Staffrecommendedan
abatementof$1,412.95.
136EastStreet
anapplicationforabatementonbill#764140.Theyprovidedarepair
Thehomeownersfiled
invoicefromaplumber.Bill#726930waspreviouslyabatedforleakssoitwasnotusedin
establishingaverageusage.Bill#667685ishighaswellbutthehomeownersdidnotseekan
abatementandpaidthebillpromptly.Theaverage3yearusageisactuallyhigherthanbill
#764140thereforestaffrecommendedabatementofinterestonly.
2
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
104EastEmersonRoad
ThehomeownerfiledforanabatementonBill#s783853and746305.Heprovidedtworepair
receiptsforaleaks.However,the2yearaveragespringusageis89sotheresidentisineligiblefor
anabatement.Staffrecommendedabatementofinterestonly.
5HarringtonRoad
Thehomeownerappliedforanabatementonbill#780539.Theirirrigationlinetotheirbarn
frozeandburstoverthewinterandtheydidnotknowituntiltheyreceivedtheirspringbill.They
submittedaplumber'srepairinvoice.Their2yearaveragespringusageis1thereforewe
allbutoneunitattieronewaterrates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof
recalculated
$301.32.
43HillcrestAvenue
Thispropertywaspurchasedbyadeveloperforrehabandresale.Littlewaterwasusedduring
constructionbutafterreceivingtheirspringbilltheyrealizedthetoiletwasleaking.Theirplumber
wastherethreetimesbeforethetoiletwasfixedsotheleakcontinuedintothespringbilling
period.Typicallythisdeveloperusesverylittlewaterduringconstruction.Attachedarethree
otherhousestheyhaveconstructedandtheirwaterusage.Theiraverageusageis1hcftherefore
werecalculatedallusageattieronerates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$66.99.
223LowellStreetWithdrawn
Thehomeownerfiledforanabatementonbill#771560andprovidedaplumbersreceiptfor
repair.The3yearaveragespringusageis41thereforeallbut1unitisrecalculatedattierone
rates.Theboardapprovedstaffrecommendationofanabatementintheamountof$73.08but
stafffoundanerrorandwillmakeacorrectedrecommendationatthenextmeeting.
337MassachusettsAvenue
Thehomeownersfiledforanabatementonbill#770782.Thisisatwofamilywitha2year
averagespringusageof66hcf.Theownersfoundandrepairedatoiletleakandsubmitteda
receiptforparts.Becausethe3yearaveragespringusageisunder80units,werecalculatedall
usageattieronerates.Anerrorwasfoundon7/31/14andthiscalculationwaswithdrawn.Itwas
correctedandstaffrecommendedanabatementof$1,640.00.
65ProspectHillRoad
ThehomeownerfiledforanabatementonBill#787919.Heprovidedarepairreceiptforaleaking
toilet.The3yearaveragespringusageis44thereforewerecalculatedallbut4unitsofuseattier
onerates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$164.43.
3
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
55SchoolStreet
Thehomeownerappliedforanabatementonbill#766124.Inthespringwhentheyopenedup
theirirrigationsystemleakswerefoundandrepaired.Arepairinvoicewassubmitted.The3year
averagefallusageis27thereforewerecalculatedtheexcessusageattieronerates.Staff
recommendedanabatementof$748.44.
11SpringdaleRoad
ThehomeownerfiledforanabatementonBill#785041.Whilethehousewasemptylastwinter
17pipesfrozeanddidconsiderableinteriordamage.The3yearaveragespringusageis25
andonlycharged25unitsforsewerto
thereforewerecalculatedallwaterusageattieronerates
recognizethattheleakdidnotenterthesewersystem.Staffrecommendedanabatementof
$576.24.
3UticaStreet
Thehomeownerappliedforaleakbasedabatementonbill#781909.Thisisatwofamily,owner
occupiedpropertyandthefirst80unitsarebilledattieronerates.Theownerwasunawareof
thetenant'sbathtubleakuntilherkitchenceilingtookonwater.Theaveragespringusageis47
thereforewerecalculatedallusageattieronewaterratesandtheexcessusageonlyattierone
sewerrates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$126.00.
498WalthamStreet
Thehomeownersfiledforandreceivedaleakbasedabatementonbill#s759663and736221.
Whentheysawtheconsumptionreporttheyaskedthatwealsoabatebill#722478inthe
calculation.Theythoughttheyhadfixedatoiletleakbutthehighusagecontinued.Theyprovided
areceiptforrepairpartsdated5/19/14.The3yearaveragefallusageis60;werecalculatedthe
excessusageattieronerates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$42.00.
19WoodlandRoad
ThehomeownersfiledforanabatementonBill#783357.Heprovidedarepairreceiptfora
leakingtoiletandfaucet.The3yearaveragespringusageis28;werecalculatedallusageattier
onerates.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$140.07.
131WorthenRoad
provideda
Thehomeownerappliedforanabatementonbill#736000duetoaleakandhe
receiptforrepairparts.Theabatementhasbeenonholdtoestablishaveragespringusage.The1
yearaveragespringusageis33thereforewerecalculatedallusageattieronerates.
Staffrecommendedanabatementof$661.64.
4
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve the leak-
based abatement recommendations as presented including the recommendation to abate interest
only on 136 East Street and 104 East Emerson Street.
Over Estimated
16CurveStreet
Thehomeownersfiledforanabatementonbill#771250.Themeterwasreplacedon7/30/14
withanoutreadof5401indicatingwehadoverestimatedtheirusage.Wewentbacktothelast
Postcardreading,establishedADUandderivedusageforbill#'s771250and757338.The
replacedusageof25unitswillbecapturedinthefallbilling.Staffrecommendedanabatementof
$923.58.
25FairlawnLane
Wehadmadeseveralrequeststothehomeownertoscheduleameterreplacementand
installationofaradioread.Hecalledandtoldstaffhishouseisgoingtobeateardown.On
7/29/14wegotaninsidereadof1202indicatingwehaveoverestimatedusage.Wewentbackto
thelastManualreadon3/13/13,establishedADUandderivedusage.Thereplacedusageof23
unitswillbecapturedinthefallbilling.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$1,201.95.
4FarmRoad
Staffsuspectedthemeteratthispropertyhadfailedwhenthehomeownerdidnotrespondto
inquiries.Weestimatedusageonbill#774750at40hcf.Thehomeownerfiledforanabatement
statingshehadawellandonlyoccasionallyusedTownwater.Thatalertedstafftoaprohibited
connectiontobothawellandTownwater.MGLstatesthattwosuchconnectionscannotcoexist
duetothethreatofcrosscontaminationofthepublicwatersupply.Thehomeowner
disconnectedherwell;theplumbinginspectorapprovedtheworkdone.Staffrecommends
abatingbill#774750entirely.Ifapprovedtheabatementwouldbearefundtotheformerowner
whopaidthebillatclosing.However,itwasmovedbyMr.Osten,secondedbyMr.Ribichand
approvedunanimoustodenytheabatementbecausethehomeownerwasneverchargedaflat
feefortheuseofTownsewer.
46HancockStreet
Thehomeownersfiledforanabatementonbill#763003whichwasestimatedafteryearsof
postcardreads.Beforethemetercouldbechanged,thehomeownerhadtoinstallanewservice
andshutoffvalve.Themeterwasreplaced8/1/14withanoutreadof309indicatingwehad
overestimated.WeestablishedADUandderivedusageof50hcfovertwobillingperiods.The
excess17unitswillbecapturedinthefallbilling.Aradioreaddevicehasbeeninstalled.Staff
recommendedanabatementof$1,253.50.
5
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
15HickoryStreet
Thisisastaffgeneratedabatementforanincorrectreading.Themeterwasremovedon3/14/14
forateardownwithanoutreadof1018.Staffincorrectlyenteredtheoutreadas1026resulting
inanoverbillingof8units.Thiscalculationcorrectlychargesfor2units.Staffrecommendedan
abatementof$82.48.
60TaftAvenue
Wewereunabletoreadthismeter.Themeterchangewasdelayeduntilthehomeowner'sson
replacedtheshutoffvalveafterhemovedtoassistedliving.Thepostcardreadindicatedwehad
readon9/15/2011,established
overestimatedusage.Wewentbacktothepreviouspostcard
ADUandderivedusage.Thehouseisnowempty.Staffpresentedthisrecommendationtothe
boardon7/31/14butitwaswithdrawnbecauseanerrorwasfound.Theerrorwascorrectedand
staffrecommendedanabatementof$1,122.97.
22TurningMillRoadWithdrawn
StreetWithdrawn
19Utica
217WalthamStreet
Wedidnotknowifthemeterhadfailedat340orifthepropertywasempty.Weputnotesonthe
billsandrecentlymailedalettertowhichthehomeownersresponded.Themeterhadfailedat
340.Weestablished3yearaveragespringandfallusagesandrevisedthefourbillsaccordingly.
Staffrecommendedanabatementof$614.45
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to accept staff
recommendations for abatements based on overestimated bills with the exception of 4 Farm
Road which was denied and 22 Turning Mill Road and 19 Utica Street which were withdrawn.
Billing/Meter Issues
178ConcordAvenue
On9/9/2013staffrespondedtoanapparentsewerbackupatthispropertyandfoundthatthe
houseisnotconnectedtoTownsewer.Theownerpurchasedthepropertyin1983andhadbeen
toldhewasonTownsewer.Staffreviewedarchivalrecordsofpaymentsbuttherecordsonlygo
backasfaras1995.Thehomeownersubmittedarequesttoestimateusagegoingbackto1982
andrequestedinterest.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$9,126.38whichrepresentsthe
knownpaymentsmadeforsewer.
43GoldenAvenueDomestic
meterandalreadygotthebenefitof77
Bill#728402wasabatedforirrigationonadomestic
unitsatirrigationrates.Thereforewedidnotadjustit.Bill#669104wasnotchargedsewerso
6
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
thesewerchargeof10unitsisreflectedintherevisedbill.Bill#s20325,3640and82170were
alsonotchargedforsewerandsewerchargeshavebeenaddedtotherevisedbill.Onlyfallbills
arereflectedinthiscalculationofdomesticlessirrigationusage.Staffrecommendedan
abatementof$1,228.32.
43GoldenAvenueIrrigation
Staffdiscoveredon7/14/14thatbecauseofanimpropersetupallthewateratthisaddresswas
goingthroughthedomesticmeter.Themeterreadontheirrigationmeterwas461on7/14/14.
meterin2004at204andstopped
Forunknownreasonsstaffhadstoppedreadingtheirrigation
billingtheaccount.BelowarethechargestheirrigationwouldhavereceivedbasedontheADU
andderivedusageonthemeter.Onlyfallbillshavebeeninserted.Nowthedomesticaccount
needstobeadjustedforthesewerthatwaschargedonirrigationwaterlessaonetimeirrigation
ondomesticmeterabatementgivenon77unitsin2013.Staffrecommendedapositive
adjustmentof$704.83.
6GroveStreetDomestic
Staffconfirmedthatthedomesticandirrigationmeterswerereversedatthislocation.Inthis
calculation,domesticrateshavebeenappliedtocorrectdomesticusage.Staffrecommendeda
positiveadjustmentof$36.41.
6GroveStreet
Staffconfirmedthatthedomesticandirrigationmeterswerereversedatthislocation.Inthis
calculation,domesticrateshavebeenappliedtocorrectdomesticusage.Staffrecommendedan
abatementof$67.70.
41PleasantStreet
Itwasdiscoveredthatthisaccounthasnotbeenchargedforseweralthoughitistiedin.The
accountwasinactivatedyearsagowhenitwasverifiedtheyhaveawellfordrinkingwater.A
servicefor"SewerOnly"shouldhavebeenactivated.Thiscalculationgoesbackthreeyearsand
resultsinapositiveadjustment.Staffrecommendedappositiveadjustmentof$282.72.
38SaddleClubRoad
ThehomeownerfiledforanabatementonBill#782645.Shestatedtheyhadfilledaskatingrink
lastwinterandaskedforaonetimeirrigationonadomesticmeterabatementtogetreliefonthe
sewerportionofthebill.However,staffquestionedwhytheywouldfillanoutdoorrinkthrough
thedomesticmeterwhentheyhaveaseparateirrigationmeter.Thehomeownerhadmadean
assumptionthattheoutsidefaucetswerenottiedintotheirrigationmeterbutitwasdetermined
7
Approved 11/20/14
Minutes of the Meeting 9/18/14
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
November 20, 2014
thattheyare.Thespringbillontheirrigationmeterreflectstheusageduringthewinterforthe
rink.TheStaffrecommendedabatementofinterestonly.
It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to accept staff
recommendations for abatements based on Billing/Meter Issues
Irrigation on a Domestic Meter
3PlainfieldStreet
Thehomeownersfiledanapplicationforabatementonbill#759119forirrigationonadomestic
meter.Theyinstalledextensivelandscapinglastsummeranddidnotknowthetownoffereda
onetimeabatementforirrigationonadomesticmeter.Theiraveragefallusageis46and70%of
theexcessusageof108hcf(76)isrecalculatedatirrigationrates.Anirrigationmeterhasbeen
installed.Staffrecommendedanabatementof$1,364.28.
Schedule future meeting times
TheboardwillnextmetNovember20,2014.
Adjourn
It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to adjourn the
meeting at 6:11 pm.
8