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Newfields board addresses drought, limits landing water use and approves maintenance purchases
Summary
Facing low well levels, the district approved a backflow preventor quote, agreed to shut water at the Landing during a Level 2 water ban, ordered a Fire Department meter and purchased a QuickBooks budget module; staff reported low well yields and ongoing conservation.
Commissioners at the Newfields Village Water & Sewer District meeting on June 8 heard updates on drought-driven operational challenges and approved several maintenance and software purchases.
Systems Operator Josh Scotton reported that wells are recovering but the district still needs approximately 12 inches of rain to exit drought conditions. He said Well #2 (a shallow sand-and-gravel well) was expected to produce between 5 and 7 gallons per minute (gpm) compared with a typical 25 gpm, Well #3 (a deep bedrock well) remains limited, and Well #6 continues to decline; the district is blending supplies and conserving higher-yield sources.
Because the system is under a Level 2 water ban, commissioners agreed to shut the water off at the Landing and prohibit washing boats there. They also agreed to install a dedicated water meter to track Fire Department use; per the 75 Main Street purchase agreement the Fire Department and Town Hall are not charged for water or sewer until October 2032.
Josh reported operational work completed at wastewater facilities: cleaning of both pump stations and the WWTP grit chamber, oil changes at pump stations, blower maintenance and a valve repair on River Road. Commissioner William "Bill" Meserve moved to approve a budgeted quote for a backflow preventor; the motion carried 3-0 and the Chair signed the quote.
The board approved a $2,000 purchase of a QuickBooks budget module (motion carried 3-0) to support budgeting work. Staff mailed letters to owners of properties with nonfunctional meters (109 Exeter Rd and 52 Main St.); only 52 Main responded and did not follow instructions. The district also noted top water users and recent repairs, including a leak fixed by Knipstein Enterprises, LLC.
The board heard that the District has applied for Asset Management grant funding with an award decision expected in August and project work anticipated to start in September if funded.
