Superintendent Prescott outlines progress on water mains, new ultrasonic meters and upcoming pump repairs

At a regular meeting, the commission heard an extensive update from Superintendent Prescott on the towns water projects, including completed main replacements, leak detection results and pump repairs. "They've installed approximately 800 feet of new piping," Prescott said of the School Street project, and added crews are up to Berkshire Drive and preparing for pressure testing and fluorination.

Prescott described additional completed work in the Lehi Avenue/Whittle area: "Half of that area has already been tested and has passed and they've put in new services to the homes," he said, and noted the second half was being rechlorinated because background bacteria readings were high. He said crews had moved to Pond Avenue (a short dead-end serving four houses) and that Smith Street and the Oak Corridor remain top priorities.

On leak detection, Prescott said the survey identified five locations and that one leak in a trailer park was on the customer's side of the meter and will be repaired by the park. He said staff are awaiting a final leak-detection report and will schedule repairs for the other locations: "Whatever is leaking, we'll have it repaired right away."

The commission previously awarded lead-service-line replacement work to Tye and Bond Engineering Firm, the superintendent said; S1 noted there is a September 30 deadline for the first phase and a kickoff meeting with the firm is planned next week.

Prescott reported pump work on the Providence Connector: pump 3 has been rebuilt and returned to service after refurbishment, and pump 2 shows similar leakage and will likely be pulled next month for repair. S1 previously cited a repair cost of roughly $40,000to$45,000 for a pump overhaul.

The meeting also included a discussion of meter regulation and technology. S1 reviewed a prior regulation that required pressure-reducing valves in front of customer water meters and said the town is moving to ultrasonic meters without moving parts; he argued the town should rescind the pressure-reducer requirement because it shifts maintenance responsibility to homeowners and can create opportunities for meter tampering. S1 stated an estimated homeowner cost in that context as "$102,100," and Prescott said staff will bring meter samples and requirements to the next meeting.

The commission accepted the superintendent's report by unanimous vote. Prescott and staff will return with the PaR Engineering source-water assessment and meter samples at a future meeting.