HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-13-WSAB-min Approved Minutes of the Meeting 9/13/18
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
Attendance:
Board Members: Loren Wood, Chairperson, William Ribich, and Jim Osten, members.
Staff. Ralph Pecora, Superintendent, Elizabeth Tucker, Lead Meter Forewoman, Beth LeBlanc, Utility
Billing.
Customers/Residents of the following addresses:
443 Massachusetts Avenue—Mr. Grey
98 Potter Pond—Ms. Jao
33 Sherburne Road—Mr. Deng
8:00 am Call meeting to order
Mr. Wood called the meeting to order at 8:00 am.
Status Report of Abatement Requests
• 10 Prior cases for review
• 2 Recommendations to be reviewed
• 1 Recommendations pending (6 Gerard Terrace)
WSAB members reviewed appeal cases in order of appearance:
433 Massachusetts Avenue—Customer indicated that a pipe in the basement froze and filled the base-
ment with water. As this property is vacant, Supt. Pecora suggested that in addition to shutting off the
service at the meter, it would be appropriate for staff to shut off service at the curb stop. Mr. Grey
agreed to this suggestion. Mr. Osten motioned that the sewer portion be abated in full, and water usage
be calculated at the wholesale rate. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to
approve.
98 Potter Pond - The homeowner requested a brief overview of the calculation used in determining ad-
justment to her bill. Mr. Wood outlined the process by which staff calculates abatement requests. Ms.
Jao thanked the panel for their assistance and accepted original adjustment value of$(11,294.24).
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to make no change to the
prior decision of this board.
33 Sherburne Road. The homeowner stated that he is often away on business; on return he found his
yard to be flooded due to a broken sprinkler head, which he repaired immediately. Mr. Osten motioned
that the usual usage of 51 be calculated at normal rates and the overage be calculated at wholesale rates.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve.
The following appeal cases were again reviewed by WSAB members:
Original hearing date - July 19, 2018
24 Carriage Road—tabled for more information
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Approved Minutes of the Meeting 9/13/18
Lexington Water and Sewer Abatement Board
201 Bedford Street
Lexington, MA 02420
Original hearing date - July 26, 2018
24 Adams Street
93 Laconia Street
*1770 Massachusetts Avenue
17 Turning Mill Road
39 Wood Street—tabled for more information
Original hearing date—August 9, 2018
30 Grant Street
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Ribich and voted unanimously to approve 24 Adams
Street, 30 Grant Street, and 17 Turning Mill Road as noted and to deny* abatement request for 1770
Massachusetts Avenue. 93 Laconia Street was withdrawn, and 24 Carriage Road and 39 Wood Street
were tabled for more information.
Leaks
12 Utica Street
It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to deny this abatement due
to the frequency of requests.
Billing/Meter Issues
229 Massachusetts Avenue
It was moved by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to approve this abatement
as noted.
6 Gerard Terrace DOM & IRR—continues to be tabled for more information.
Review for approval Minutes of the Meetings from August 9, 2018
It was move by Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Osten and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of
August 9, 2018 meeting as presented.
Adjourn
It was moved by Mr. Osten, seconded by Mr. Wood and approved unanimously to adjourn the meeting
at 9:08 am.
Next Meeting Date
Thursday November 1, 2018 8:00 —9:30 AM
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