Watuppa Water Board approves routine abatements, change orders and conservation restriction

At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Watuppa Water Board approved a slate of routine administrative items, including leak abatements, change orders for infrastructure and facility projects, a conservation restriction and a license agreement with a nearby abutter.

The board approved leak abatements under its policy totaling $5,802.72 for the packet and $42,632.54 for the fiscal year to date; staff said these abatements were for toilet leaks and emphasized maintenance to prevent recurring claims.

The board also approved Change Order #1 to Santek Engineering for Jefferson and Ward intersection improvements (pedestrian crosswalk design) in the amount of $23,500, bringing that contract to $158,500. The board approved architectural change orders for Adirondack Farm totaling $70,502 to repair rotted sills, deck framing, window openings and perform additional foundation repointing discovered during construction.

Separately, the board approved a conservation restriction for the roughly 27–30 acre "Promise Land" parcel; the Buzzards Bay Coalition will hold the restriction and perform annual inspections. The restriction will proceed to the city council for final signature as required.

The board also approved a license agreement with an abutter, Mister Hebert, allowing a 10,820-square-foot licensed area and ingress/egress rights intended to protect the Knackbrook interceptor. The board closed the meeting after a routine review of Westport billing that staff reported was up to date.

What happens next: Staff will implement approved change orders and track project work; the conservation restriction will be forwarded to the city council for the council’s signature.