Board of Water Commissioners Meeting — September 9, 2026

The Swansea Board of Water Commissioners met on September 9, 2026, to address regular administrative business, capital improvement projects, and staffing plans. The board approved open and executive session minutes from August 26, 2026, and reviewed several major invoices, including $4,507 for workers' compensation, $8,435.97 to Wright-Pierce, and $29,216.17 to Clearway for July solar electric production under a 20-year agreement. Superintendent Jeff discussed water meter replacement efforts, noting 97 certified mail letters were sent to non-responsive customers, and outlined potential grant opportunities that could cover up to 90% of the Somerset interconnection project.

The board authorized the superintendent to execute a $316,000 preliminary design contract with Wright-Pierce for the Forge Treatment Facility. Additionally, the commissioners approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 construction rate schedule to establish a $50-per-hour fee for the newly acquired tractor/skid equipment when used for private service work. The board also reviewed internal staffing logistics, agreeing to post a job opening for a distribution operator to allow current distribution operator Adam to cross-train as a treatment operator ahead of senior treatment operator Mike Bacon's anticipated retirement.

In his administrative report, the superintendent reported on the ongoing FY2025 financial audit, redevelopment of Well 10, procurement of a remanufactured Allen-Bradley variable frequency drive (VFD) saving approximately $6,000, and recent quarterly lead and copper sampling. He also noted a price jump for Aries Chemicals coagulant from $0.84 to $1.34 per pound due to facility relocation and reported that the district has accumulated $841,320.93 in PFAS-related settlement funds. Following discussions on acoustic versus pressure hydrant leak detection sensors, the board voted to enter executive session at 6:55 PM to discuss real estate matters without returning to open session.

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