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Home My WebLink About2016-02-25-WSAB-min Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 Attendance: BoardMembers:LorenWood,Chairperson,BillRibich,MemberandJimOsten,Member.Staff:Rob Addelson,AssistantTownmanagerforFinance,BillHadley,DPWDirector,RalphPecora,Water/Sewer Superintendent,andLizTuckerandRobinFullford,UtilityBilling. 4:30pmCallmeetingtoorder LorenWoodcalledthemeetingtoorderat4:30pm. StatusReportofAbatementRequests 49Recommendationstobeheardtonight 76Recommendationsonholdforhistoryordocumentation ReviewMinutesoftheJanuary14,2016meetingsforapproval It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the Meeting of January 14, 2016 as presented. Appeals 5:00pmMeetwithGauriGoviltodiscussabatementfor9CiderMilllane 5:15pmMeetwithRuthBuddtodiscussabatementfor24PercyRoad 5:30pmMeetwithJaneFuloptodiscussabatementfor40AdamsRoad 5:45pmMeetwithCynthiaPettersontodiscussabatementfor6HillStreet Members of the board discussed their review of the four appeals and agreed that unless a homeowner came forward with new information they would uphold their earlier discussions. With the exception of Jane Fulop, the other homeowners engaged in discussions with staff and the board. Mr. Wood ex- plained that leaked water is recalculated at tier one rates which is the break-even point for the Town. In the absence of new, mitigating evidence the board will make their earlier recommendation to the Board of selectmen. The three homeowners may now appeal to the selectmen if they choose to. AbatementRecommendationsforConsideration Leaks 42AdamsStreet The homeowners filed for an abatement on Bill #s 834922 and 820376. A leaking toilet was repaired and they provided an invoice. Average spring and fall usages were established. Bill # 834922 was re- calculated with all but 27 units at tier one rates and Bill #820376 with all but 2 units at tier one wa- ter/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,257.73. 19AppletreeLane The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #827701. Two leaking outside faucets were found and repaired however the homeowners did not keep receipts. The 3 year average fall us- age is 92, we recalculated the excess usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $140.40. 1 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 72AsburyStreet The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #836711. Toilet leaks were found and re- paired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 27, we recalculated all us- age at tier one water/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $84.84. 168BurlingtonStreet The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #832608. Leaks were found in an old hose positioned along a hedge. The 3 year average fall usage is 53, we recalculated all but 13 units at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $220.58. 5CrescentRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #830218. Toilet leaks were found and re- paired and a repair invoice was provided. The two year average fall usage is 57, we recalculated all but 17 units at tier one water/sewer rates. Staff did not use the history on the replaced meter because it ap- pears the meter was in the process of failing. Staff recommended an abatement of $42.42. 32DeweyRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #838281. Leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The average fall usage is 18, we recalculated all usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $356.32. 13DonaldStreet The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #837623. Bill #823060 was abated for leaks and the leaks continued into the next billing period. A repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 49, we recalculated all but 9 units at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $202.10. 15DowningRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #839374. Toilet leaks were found and re- paired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 53, we recalculated all but 13 units at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $220.58. 291EmersonRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #834961. The house was empty awaiting teardown and the domestic meter indicated no usage. The homeowner investigated and took pictures of the grounds showing black plastic piping all dug up and destroyed and dark spots on the soil which he described as damp spots. Given that all usage was attributable to leaks, staff recalculated all usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $228.15. 15FairlandStreet The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #836007. Leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 30; we recalculated all usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $427.52. 2 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 53FiferLane The homeowners applied for an abatement on Bill # 837870 due to an outside leak found by a land- scaper and a toilet leak. They paid a plumber cash for the repairs and do not have a receipt. We estab- lished ADU from the postcard read on 10/30/13 to the meter outread on 9/28/15 and redistributed us- age. Half of the excess usage was recalculated at tier one water/sewer rates and one half at water only rates to acknowledge the outside leak did not enter the sewer. Staff recommended an abatement of $2,701.07. 74GrasslandStreet After three estimated bills due to a locked gate, the meter was replaced and a radio read device was installed @ 2135. The homeowners applied for an abatement on Bill # 839604. Their heating system had a leak that was being pumped outside and did not enter the sewer system. A repair bill was pro- vided. Rather than redistributing the usage over the 2 year period, staff used average fall and spring usages for the first three bills and assigned the balance to Bill #839604. All but 17 units were recalcu- lated at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $4,617.55. 14HutchinsonRoad The homeowners applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #830113. While they were away for the summer their son found and repaired a leaking outside faucet. He did not know to save the receipt. The 3 year average fall usage is 9, we recalculated the excess units at tier one water rates. Staff rec- ommended an abatement of $143.91. 9IdylewildeRoad The homeowner's family applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #838979. Toilet leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 90; we recalculated all but 50 units at tier one water/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $3,189.76. 329MassachusettsAvenue The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #826591. Running toilets were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 64, we recalculated all but 24 units at tier one water/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,563.68. 114PleasantStreet The owner was unaware of the abatement process and only recently applied for an abatement on Bill # 805836. Her son found a leak in the irrigation system which was shut off but continued to leak during the summer of 2014. The homeowner was unable to pay the entire amount and the balance went to lien. Staff established average usage at 56 and recalculated the excess usage at tier one water rates only. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,141.84. 3 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 54RobinsonRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #838311. Leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The board approved a leak-based abatement recommendation on Bill #823746. The leak continued into the next billing period. The 3 year average fall usage is 23, we recalculated all usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $109.08. 5SkyviewRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #838057. They discovered that a hose had burst while they were away on vacation. The 3 year average fall usage is 16; we recalculated all but 16 units at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $379.08. 5TurningMillRoad The homeowners applied for an abatement on Bill #809585 in 2015. They state they had a plumber in to repair a leaking toilet but could not find the receipt. The average fall usage is 51; we recalculated all but 11 units at tier one water/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $252.95. 83WinterStreet The homeowner applied for an abatement on Bill #s 837994, 823431, and 809275. He states he was away on business a great deal from October 2014 through October 2015 and replaced the flapper in one toilet in the fall of 2015. Both spring and fall averages are 51, we recalculated all but 11 units at tier one water/sewer rates on all three bills. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,438.50. 19WoodlandRoad The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #834731. Irrigation leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 78, we recalculated the excess usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $136.89. It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve all leak- based abatement recommendations as presented. IrrigationonDomesticMeter 42AdamsStreet The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #s 834922 and 820376 for a leak. In the course of in- vestigating staff learned that during the summer of 2014 the homeowners watered from an outside fau- cet and learned that the faucet is not connected to their irrigation meter. They requested a onetime abatement for irrigation on a domestic meter on Bill #3972. 70% of the water used in excess of the spring is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $585.92. 4BatesRoad The homeowners applied for an abatement on bill #836414 for irrigation on a domestic meter. However, staff found that in 2011 the homeowners received a onetime only abatement on bill #669785 for irriga- tion on a domestic meter (see attached calculation and history of adjustment). Staff recommended de- nial of the abatement request. 4 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 136BedfordStreet The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #837076 stating they planted new shrubs and trees and a new lawn and watered heavily throughout the summer. They have applied for a onetime irrigation on a domestic meter abatement. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irriga- tion rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $571.92. 342BedfordStreet The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #837112 for irrigation on a domestic meter. They under- stand this is a onetime only abatement of its type. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. This property was tied in to Town Sewer in early 2015 and an irrigation meter was installed in December. Staff recommended an abatement of $489.60. 22BernardStreet The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #837723 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime 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 $120.64. 26BernardStreet The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #837725 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime 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 $284.84. 28DemarRoad The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #838408 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime only abatement of it' type. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $52.84. 3HathawayRoad The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #833787 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime only abatement of its type. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. The homeowners remembered they had had a leaky toilet in 2012 that produced Bill #726649 so staff omitted that usage from the average. No previous abatements were sought. Staff recommended an abatement of $511.36. 2PartridgeRoad The homeowner filed for a onetime abatement on bill #838417 for irrigation on a domestic meter. Aver- age fall usage was derived by establishing ADU on Bill #809688 and applying it to the number of days in that billing period (188 days @ 0.20 per day=38 hcf). 70% of the water used in excess of the aver- age is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $347.14. 20RobinsonRoad The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #838291 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime 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 $140.34. 5 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 40RobinsonRoad The homeowners applied for a onetime only abatement on bill # 840340 for irrigation on a domestic meter. Because bill # 811568 did not cover a complete billing period, we derived their average fall us- age at 97. 70% of the excess usage was recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abate- ment of $289.73. 43SandersonRoad The homeowner filed for a onetime abatement on bill #828000 for irrigation on a domestic meter. Aver- age fall usage was determined by establishing ADU on Bill #804060 and applying it to the number of days in that billing period. However, the usage on Bill #828000 is lower than the derived usage on Bill #828000 leaving no basis for an abatement. Staff recommended denial of the request. 2ScotlandRoad The homeowners filed for an abatement on bill #827707 stating they had filled 50,000 gallon pool on their domestic meter. They understand this is a onetime only abatement of its type and intend to install a second meter before next summer. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $803.16. 9ShermanStreet The homeowner filed for a onetime abatement on bill #3447 for irrigation on a domestic meter. This ap- plication has been on hold to establish history. An irrigation meter was installed on 9/26/14. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Additionally, the homeowners provided a repair invoice for leaks in the irrigation system. One half of the irrigation usage was been re- calculated at tier one water rates only. Staff recommended an abatement of $971.32. 1VolunteerWay The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #838020 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime only abatement of its type .Previously the homeowners received an abate- ment for redistribution of Bill #s 767993 and 783817. Those values have been assigned to those bills. 70% of the water used in excess of the average is recalculated at irrigation rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $570.82. 435WalthamStreet The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #829410. Irrigation leaks were found and repaired and a repair invoice was provided. The 3 year average fall usage is 91, we recalculated the excess usage at tier one water rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $80.73. 269WoodStreet The homeowner filed for an abatement on bill #836349 for irrigation on their domestic meter. They un- derstand this is a onetime 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 $173.48. It was moved by Mr. Ribich, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to approve staff recom- mendation on It was moved by Mr. Ribich, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to approve all Irri- gation on Domestic Meter Abatements as presented. 6 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 27BattleGreenRoad The meter was changed at 218 indicating we had overestimated usage. We established ADU and de- rived usage for three estimated bills. Staff recommended an abatement of $85.96. 24CarriageDrive The homeowner applied for a leak-based abatement on Bill #825668. During the winter of 2015 they provided water to their neighbors at 22 Carriage Drive for 2 months. However no readings were taken. Staff reduced the usage of 49 by 1/3 or by 2 months out of 6 to 33 hcf and recommended an abatement of $230.07. Approved as amended 2/25/16. 1CherryStreet The owners filed for an abatement on bill #828132 which was estimated. The pad was replaced on 12/8/15 and the reading was 179 indicating we had overestimated usage. We went back to the Post- card reading on 9/11/2013, established ADU and derived usage of 7 hcf for the whole period. Because this is an irrigation account we assigned a years’ worth of usage to the fall billings. The replaced usage of 1 unit has been captured in the fall billing. Staff recommended an abatement of $442.62. 31DowningRoadDomestic The irrigation and domestic usages have been reversed since their installation in 2014. In this calcula- tion, the correct domestic usages have been applied to water/sewer rates. Staff recommended an abatement of $2,862.47. 31DowningRoadIrrigation It was confirmed that the domestic and irrigation meters were swapped at this location. The irrigation and domestic usages have been reversed since their installation in 2014. In this calculation, the correct usage has been applied to irrigation rates resulting in a recommended positive charge of $996.79. Staff recommended a positive charge of $996.79. 80FiferLane This account was over-billed on bill# 837897 due to a reading error. The meter was reread on 1/4/16 at 1011 confirming that the account was over-billed. We went back to the "A" reading from 4/28/15, estab- lished ADU and derived usage of 23 for bill # 837897. Staff recommended an abatement of $1,812.07. 45FottlerAvenue This house was rehabbed and we were unable to get a reading. The meter was replaced with an outread of 1137 indicating we had underestimated usage. We established ADU from the last "A" read and derived usage. The replaced 13 units will be captured in the spring bill run. Staff recommended a positive adjustment of $255.61. 29APeacockFarmRoad The treasurer of this pool association applied for an abatement on Bill # 806974 which was an esti- mated reading based on past usage. We went back to an "M" read on 5/9/14 and established ADU and total usage for the three billings. Because this is a seasonal account, staff split the usage between the two fall bills. The treasurer stated that significant leaks had been repaired in the past and the pool did 7 Draft Minutes of the Meeting 2/25/16 Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board 201 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 not have to be refilled in recent history by way of explaining why usage has gone down. Staff recom- mended an abatement of $3,068.99. 267WalthamStreet This is a staff-generated abatement recommendation. Believing that the meter had failed, staff esti- mated Bill #831607 at 40 hcf. In fact the house has been empty since the owner passed away. Staff confirmed the meter read at 0030. Staff recommended a full abatement of Bill # 831607 of $412.40. 253WoburnStreet This meter failed at 0169 and was replaced on 1/8/16. With no anchor to establish ADU staff used 3 year average usages for spring and fall to derive usage. Staff recommended an abatement of $413.46. It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve all leak-based abatement recommendations as presented with the exception of 24 Carriage Road which was approved as amended. Mr.Ribichsuggestedthatstaffdevelopahandouttogivetopotentialappellantstoexplainthe appealprocess. Schedulefuturemeetingtime ThenextmeetingoftheWater/SewerAbatementBoardwillbeheldat4:30pmonMarch17, 2016at201BedfordStreet. Adjourn ItwasmovedbyMr.Ribich,secondedbyMr.Ostenandapprovedunanimouslytoadjournthemeeting at6:00pm. 8