BOARD OF LICENSURE OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS

June 15, 2006 Meeting

 

Members Present:                                                                         Others Present:

Trevor Hunt, Chairman                                                                     Steve Ballou

David Bartlett                                                                         Dan Wells

Alan Frasier                                                                                       Carol Champagne

Lowell Martin                                                                                     Roger Crouse

Chris Crovo                                                                                       Cindy Wade

Teresa Trott                                                                                       Gordon Johnson

David Beaulieu                                                                                  Rebecca Reynolds

 

Called to Order: 

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:15 A.M.

 

General Administration:

 

Approval of Minutes, David Bartlett made a motion to approve the March 16, 2006 minutes with corrections, Lowell Martin

 2nd the motion.  Passed

 

Operator Updates,

 

1.  Exams – There are 93 exams scheduled for June 27, 2006 in Augusta.

 

2.      Operator Updates –

 

a)     System Compliance – At this time approximately 32 systems are not in-compliance with designated   operators.  Of these, 12-15 are new systems, three others have received NOVs and another four NOVs are to follow.  Three or four systems have scheduled for the June exam and four are scheduled for the October exam. 

 

b)     Reciprocity - is not universal but, is still a desired outcome.  Maine accepts reciprocity from states with similar procedures. 

 

c)      Program Review – Our program goes through internal more so then external reviews because, we change policy and rules.  It is apparent that system review, exam validation and applicability of system classifications should be reviewed to assure our licensing is applicable to our needs.  Contract operations, on-line training, promoting professionalism for both public information and recruitment of new operators continue to be the leading concerns.

 

d)     Funding - In 2008 the funding will be running out.  The pre-exam contracts have been finalized.  Terry would like to fund courses differently and not through the RFP process.  To ask for selected providers may be an option.

 

e)     The Board has been asked to set up a sub-committee to study the point system. 

 

f)        Reorganization – The changes in the DWP are going ahead really well.  The Compliance and Enforcement section was going to take over a part of System Compliance but that part will go the Field Inspection Team because they are out there and meeting with the systems. 

 

g)     Maine has 13 volunteer operators to participate in ABC’s job analyses survey.   The operators will get recognition for the survey in the news letter.  

 

 

Steve Ballou, Executive Director from ABC  

 

            Steve discussed issues concerning Maine as well as other state licensing organizations.  Some of these included an overview of activities underway at ABC including discussion of distance education guidelines, course relevancy, and the currently developing backflow program. 

 

            Part of Steve’s job is to travel throughout the states meeting with members to assure water and wastewater operators have measurable means of demonstrating competence.  ABC works with certifying agencies to assist them in developing programs to increase the recognition of water professionals.  ABC provides a forum for participating authorities to review exam questions, job task analysis and other related topics.  Maine is a member of ABC and through the years has had many operators and Board members participate in surveys, question reviews etc.  This input is very important to assure the exam process continues to meet the needs of Maine operators and utilities.  ABC also offers exams for certification in many similar professions such as wastewater, environmental laboratory and backflow prevention for a few.

 

            A few of the topics the Board also discussed with Steve Ballou were:

 

Relevancy – definition of – the purpose of insuring public health and continuing education.  A lot of safety courses and administrative courses fell out.

 

            Chris Crovo made the comment on managerial and safety areas to do with op-flow.  Chris would like to see manager level licenses with approximately 40 TCHs. 

 

            Steve Ballou mentioned there are other objectives.  Continued education for managerial, cost effective management courses. 

 

            Chris Crovo remarked it’s time to go forward with requirements of upper level training. 

 

            Steve Ballou suggested reviewing the Point System and focusing on public health objectives. 

 

            Chris Crovo asked if any other organization that promotes managerial training.  We may want another classification.

 

            Roger Crouse made a point that classes were attended before TCHs and there is a feeling that TCHs must be offered to have operator attendance. This may not be the case. If operators want to hear the topic they will attend.  If operators are looking to increase their wages, they will look for more training.

 

            Steve Ballou said we need to make the public more aware and concerned with what water operators do and we need professional operators.  Steve would like to see national strict standards.  There are some operators that look at it as just a paycheck. 

 

ABC is offering all testing online and they have training people that will proctor the exams.  The annual fee is $1,000, and $29 for the exam.

 

Evaluating Courses – Most relevant to public health and education.

 

Backflow –

 

Contract operations - Determining how many and what is the limit in order to protect public health. 

 

Trevor’s concern is, 1) the problem of other unlicensed people working on the system without notifying the licensed contracted operator and 2) what is the number of systems that one operator take care of?  What is too many?  

 

Steve said ABC is working on a committee on the issue of too many systems for one operator.  Roger Crouse said the issue of how many is too many is the DWP issue and not the Boards.

 

Trevor is concerned with back flow prevention, he feels a state license for back flow prevention is needed.

 

Steve Ballou spoke about ABC developing a simulation program on how operators respond to emergencies.  The program would help with the on line training.  AWWA and USC are helping with the simulation program.   

 

                        ABC has just approved a maintenance program in wastewater and drinking water.

 

                        Distance education evaluating courses is also being worked out with focusing on standards and guidelines.

 

                        All questions submitted by examinees during the exam are reviewed by ABC.  ABC has a validation, examining committee for each category test.   Comments are taken very seriously.

 

                        ABC pushes for exam validation and cut score analyses.  Cut score is establishing a passing score based on the complexity and difficulty of the exam.  It is fair for the operators and it will hold up in court.  It is accepted in some states. 

 

Other topics include:  What is a minimum competent operator?  What percent?  Equals cut score.  Validating exams should be efficient to accept reciprocity. 

 

            There is a shortage of water operators through out Maine.  Some utilities are bringing in operators at ground level to work up to licensing. 

 

The Board current has 1,100 licensed operators.  Some of the operators are among the older people that have run their systems for many years and not taken exams for many years.   The workshops have been a great help in cases.

                       

 

                        Application Due Dates and Exam Locations

 

 

Application Due May 13, 2006 – Exam June 27, 2006 Augusta

 

Application Due September 9, 2006 – Exam October 17, 2006 Augusta

                                                                             October 19, 2006 Presque Isle

 

Alan Frasier made a motion to adjourn the meeting and David Bartlett 2nd it.  Motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 12:35 pm.