AGENDA

Report of the Chair

No report.

Report of the Executive Director

Barbara Gottschalk, MWRA Interim Executive Director, informed the Board that debt service assistance was fully funded in the House of Representatives' final version of the FY02 state budget. Staff is cautiously optimistic that the Senate version will include the same level of funding.

APPROVALS

Marlborough Memorandum of Agreement, Amendment 1

The Board voted to authorize the Executive Director, on behalf of the Authority, to approve Amendment 1 to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Marlborough, increasing the total funding by an additional $39,001, from $4,806,313 to $4,845,314, with no change in the MOA's duration. The FY01-03 CIP includes a budget of $4,806,000 for the Marlborough MOA, resulting in a $39,314 funding shortfall. Staff states in its summary that if this amount should cause the CIP budget to exceed the ten-year cap or the cap for any of the first three years, reductions will be taken elsewhere to offset the increase.

May PCR Amendments

The Board voted to approve amendments to the Position Control Register. Those amendments with a financial impact are as follows:

The estimated financial impact of the amendments will range from ($52,253 - $6,551); however, the actual impact will depend upon the salary levels of the employees that fill the vacant positions.

Extension of Contract Employee, Support Services

The Board voted to approve a one-year extension of the employment contract of Christine Pierga as a Compensation Specialist in the Human Resources Department from April 16, 2001 through April 15, 2002, increasing the hourly rate from $39.00 to $40.50, with the not-to-exceed dollar limit remaining at $26,560.

CONTRACT AWARDS

Public Health Research Agreement, Tufts University School of Medicine, Contract 6691

The Board voted to approve the award of Contract 6691, Public Health Research Agreement, to Tufts University School of Medicine to conduct Cryptosporidium and Giardia analyses of MWRA water using new testing techniques. The Board further voted to authorize the Executive Director, on behalf of the Authority, to execute and deliver said contract in the amount of $100,000 for a term of four years from the Notice to Proceed.

The FY01 - 03 CIP includes a budget of $2,800,000 for Public Health Research under Contract 6691, which includes two existing MOA's with the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, totaling $240,000 for their first year. Within the next several months, staff expects to return to the Board for renewals of these MOA's.

Mr. Jacques asked staff whether this effort is supplemental to MWRA's lab work. Staff responded that Cryptosporidium tests require specialized training and equipment, which are cost prohibitive for MWRA to implement in-house. Mr. Jacques asked staff how often these tests are conducted. Staff responded that the tests are done on a weekly basis at a cost of $500 each. Staff explained that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not currently require the tests; however, staff anticipates EPA will change its policy in the near future. Mr. Spinney asked staff whether the weekly samples are drawn from the same location. Staff responded that samples are drawn weekly from the intake at Wachusett Reservoir and biweekly from the intake at Quabbin Reservoir.

INFORMATION REPORTS

Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Protection Plan Sewering Program Update

As part of the Watershed Protection Plan, the Division of Watershed Management (DWM) of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) is constructing sewers in West Boylston and Holden. Failure to secure $3 million from the Towns or the Commonwealth could result in a delay of the construction season and completion of the project. MDC has come up with several options to address the funding shortfall, none of which require additional funding from MWRA. The approved FY99 - 01 CIP contained MWRA's final payments of its $8.5 million commitment to the project. Ms. Gottschalk stated that staff has been working with the Executive Office of Administration and Finance to ensure that MWRA is not held accountable for any funding shortfalls.

Update on Lead Reduction Optimization (Interim Corrosion Control Program)

Results from the March 14, 2001 lead and copper sampling round show that as a system, MWRA is in compliance for the first time with the lead requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. Ninety-two percent of the targeted high-risk homes had lead levels equal to or below Lead Action Level of fifteen parts per billion, compared to a requirement of ninety percent. If the September sampling round results also meet the Lead Action Level, the system will be in compliance with this important health goal and communities will no longer be required to conduct mandatory lead education efforts. Additionally, MWRA will be able to reduce the sampling frequency from twice a year to once a year for three years, and subsequently once every three years.

Motorola Radio Upgrade

As a result of upgrades to the MDC/State Police radio system, which MWRA is authorized to use, the Authority must replace approximately one-third of its portable/mobile radio equipment. The estimated cost is $753,927. Funds were not included in the FY01 CEB for purchase of the new radios. Staff recommends using surplus FY01 CEB funds to complete the upgrade this year.

OTHER MATTERS

Compensation for Interim Executive Director

The Board voted to increase the current salary of $117,951 of Barbara Gottschalk by ten percent to $129,746, effective April 2, 2001 through her term as Interim Executive Director.

Election/Appointment of New Executive Director

The Board voted to appoint Frederick A. Laskey to the position of Executive Director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for a term of three years, effective on the date to be determined by the Chairman. Ten members voted favorably, with one member being absent. The Board further voted to authorize the Chairman to execute an employment contract with Mr. Laskey, which will provide for an annual salary of $140,000.

On behalf of the Board, Mr. Durand congratulated Mr. Laskey and complimented him on an outstanding career in public service. Mr. MacRitchie clarified the terms of Mr. Laskey's contract, which is for a three-year term with four weeks of vacation per year and provides for a car or car allowance.

Mr. Laskey thanked the Board and stated that it is difficult to express his emotions around becoming a part of a public agency that plays such a fundamental role for Eastern Massachusetts and other areas. Mr. Laskey affirmed that his ultimate responsibility is to the ratepayers that have shouldered the financial burden of MWRA's objectives.