DRAFT

BOARD OF LICENSURE OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS

November 15, 2007 Meeting

 

Members Present:                                                                         Others Present:

Trevor Hunt, Chairman                                                                     Carol Champagne

Christopher Crovo                                                                            Rebecca Reynolds

Gregory Kidd                                                                                     Jeff McNelly

Alan Frasier                                                                                       Dan Wells

David Bartlett                                                                                     Brian Tarbuck

Teresa Trott                                                                                       Steve Levy

David Beaulieu                                                                                  Kirsten Hebert

                                                                                                            Craig Douglas

                                                                                                            John Storer                                                                                                                                                                                                                Gordon Johnson

Called to Order: 

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:10 A.M.

 

General Administration:

 

Approval of Minutes:  Gregg Kidd made a motion to accept the September minutes and Chris Crovo 2nd the motion.  Passed

 

The guests introduced themselves as we went around the room.

 

 

General Administration:  Sorry I had the columns wrong

 

1.      Financial Report:  as of Oct. 31, 2007

Beginning balance                $49, 968.96

Income Exam fees                $ 7,050.00

  ERG fees                 $ 2,240.00

Expenses Exam & Room     $3,456.00

                  Well drillers          $28,729.71

 

      Ending Balance                $24,833.25

 

 

2.  There are two positions open on the Board, the representative          for the Very Small Water System and Class 2 license.

 

 

3. Operator updates: 

 

a)     Renewals are 25 % in.

b)     All of the operators that took the Very Small Water System exam passed.  Some of the other level exams did not have a good passing rate.

c)      The (Field Inspection Team) FIT team will be taking over  the system related operator compliance work.  The FIT are starting to use procedures and will be assisted as needed.  

 

4. TCH Appeals:

 

Terry has received a request for Board review on the “Manager’s Breakfast” meeting, put on by MWUA, requesting approval for TCH’s.

 

Trevor Hunt attended the breakfast and commented that all training is important and not all of it meets the criteria for the license. 

 

Chris Crovo could not tell by looking at the brochure and the title what the training was.  He said if someone can prove it is relevant to the license the Board would look at it.  Terry questioned the relevancy.

 

Chris noted that for a class 4 license the operator only needs 1 hour a month of training to have the required 24 TCH’s.

 

David Bartlett said the training organizations need to know what the others are doing so there will be no duplications in trainings.

 

Craig Douglas spoke about the concept of TCH’s and the point of TCH’s is to get the operator out of their small system and interact with other operators.  There are a lot of other trainings that has a lot to do with the operation of small systems.  Getting the operator into other classes that pull people in other forum to mingle with other operators.  The experience is what makes an operator a professional.   

 

Jeff McNelly addressed going back to the original statue.  Having a broader focus.  Yes – there are those that come just to get their required TCH’s and that will not broaden their world.

 

Trevor commented on reciprocity being very important to the operator.

 

John Storer, At his system everyone, including the office staff, are encouraged to have at least a class 1 license.  That way they know how to answer some questions that may be asked and the know more about the system they work for. 

 

Chris Crovo made a motion to accept the “Breakfast Meeting” for 6 TCH’s.  Greg 2nd the motion.  5 voted yes and 1 opposed.  Trevor abstained from voting.  Motion passed

 

The Board did say that more information on the brochure will enable a decision to be made more readily.

 

Steve Levy mention he needed guidance from Terry  and the Board and appreciates her interpretation on relevancy.

 

       CPR first aid – no

       Confined entry space – yes

 

It was recommended to the Board to continue the discussion because the rule as stated could be interpreted different ways.

 

With the new SWOCS program each course will have a number and will be entered into the system.

 

Jeff McNelly noted the policy has been there a long time and Two 2 year cycles worked and he would like to go back to the old way.

 

Chris, we need clearer descriptions.

 

Steve Levy said the Board adopted the rules and may revise the rules.

 

Terry explained it is the “course” for which TCHs are requested and not the program.

Old Business:

 

                  The January 17th meeting is changed to January 24, 2008 at the Waste Water Treatment Plant on Jackson Street, Augusta.  This change is due to a conflict with the ABC conference. The  September 24, 2008 meeting will be held on Wednesday at Sunday River in Newry.

 

                  SWOCS, we will be getting a new version.

 

                  Renewals, will go out with the new clear 2009 sticker.  Along with the sticker the code of Ethics will be included.

 

                  The ABC conference is coming up and the Board will send one person and Greg Kidd has shown interest in going.

 

                  The TCH approval process new form has had revisions and the Board will go over them and discuss the changes made. Course approval will take precedent.

 

 

Board Meetings for 2008

 

                  January 24, 2008Augusta, Waste Water Treatment Plant – Jackson Street

 

                  February 21, 2008 – Brunswick/Topsham

 

                  May 22, 2008 – Augusta

 

                  September 24, 2008 – Sunday River, Bethel

 

Exam dates and Deadlines:

 

                  March 25th in Augusta, 27th in Bangor area –

                  Application postmarked by February 2, 2008

 

                  June 24th in Augusta, 26th in Portland area

                  Application Postmarked by May 3, 2008

 

                  October 21st in Augusta, 23rd in Aroostook County area

                  Application postmarked by September 6, 2008

 

Meeting adjourned 12:30 PM