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Water Workshop, 5/19/2014

May 21st, 2014

Water Workshop
May 19, 2014



Water Department members present: Scott Sonia

Select Board members present: Bonnie Moroney, Paul Bussiere

Others present: Robert Morency, Jr., Ph.D., RCAP Solutions

Public present: Annette Marquis, Joan Karpf, Evan Karpf


Robert Morency of RCAP Solutions explained his focus is basically with water and waste water plants. He explained they are funded with USDA Rural Development money as well as by Health and Human Services and the EPA. He said Michelle Morin from North Country Council had asked him to come and talk with the town after the water main break on Route 3 North near School Street.

Selectman Bussiere said there are a number of water issues in the town and noted the more important ones as being the water main which currently lies on the bed of the river (behind Fosters), the two storage tanks which we had big icing problems with this year and need stirrers or circulators. Scott Sonia, Water Superintendent, said one has electricity to it but the other one does not, so it would require a solar set up. When asked, he said these are each 160 gallon tanks. Selectman Bussiere finished by saying there is now also the Route 3 North issue as it froze at the north end of the water main.

Dr. Morency said there are three main areas for funding and briefly explained each: the State, which is essentially a loan as they don’t award grants. However, if it is called “principal forgiveness” it is used the same as a grant. He said we should describe the problem and put in the estimate of the cost and explained all projects are ranked by points from which a priority list is made. Funding is awarded based on this list. He pointed out that pre-application for the next round is due June 27, and that all projects would go on the same application. He noted our MHI (Median Household Income) is $53,750 compared to the State’s MHI of $67,105, so we would qualify in that regard. Dr. Morency said we can do an income survey if we believe the users’ incomes are actually lower, though he also said that people aren’t usually inclined to want to divulge their incomes. Though he didn’t elaborate on the method used or the number of people, Dr. Morency said the average bill in the state is about $537 per year and if our users are not paying that much, the State will say they are paying too little because of infrastructure, etc.

A second area of funding is through the USDA Rural Development for a loan or grant. Dr. Morency said we should be eligible for a grant up to 45% based on the MHI, but stated probably the best we can do is about 30%. He said there are offices in both Concord and Conway. On all projects, regardless of the venue we choose for application, we will need certified engineers with stamps and will most likely require preliminary reports from environmental as well as engineering points of view. The third area is through the National Environment Policy Act which looks at the environmental impact. Because this is a Federal Agency, there is much more oversight also.

There is no timeframe so applications may be put in any time, however, the agency won’t approve or “obligate” funding until after a bond vote, which is held at town meeting. However, as some things can take a bit of time to complete, the application and all required reports should be submitted and thus have everything ready when the vote is taken.

A brief discussion about the process of securing a bond attorney and competitive bids for the project or projects took place. There are State laws regarding process and it’s important to follow these precisely as not doing so can delay or even negate the whole project.

Dr. Morency noted there is also the possibility that a Community Development Block Grant may also pay for our needs. He said the North Country Council will help to write this and that we would probably be better to look at the January round. He reiterated the need for engineering for all and the necessity of having all permits, etc. He also said he would be happy to help throughout the process and that we just need to contact him when we’re ready to go.

The Board thanked Dr. Morency for his time.

The information session ended at 6:35 p.m.