TO:       MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

 

FROM:     Edward Bowie, Chairman

 

date:     AUGUST 8, 2006

 

subject:  Meeting Tuesday, AUGUST 8, 2006

 

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 9:00 A.M. at the Maine Motor Transport, Whitten Road, Augusta ME.  The phone number is 623-4128.

 

 

AGENDA

 

1.  Approve the August 8, 2006 minutes

 

2.  Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

 

3.  New Business

 

4.  Public Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of July 11, 2006 Meeting

Members Present: Glenn Dyer, Driller Edward Bowie, Chairman Donald Robbins, Publix Mem. David Braley, DWP Ira Goodwin, Driller Marc Loiselle, MGS

Others Present: Carol Champagne, Board Clerk Dean Getchell, Inspector Rodney Pratt, Driller Pat Pratt, Driller Paul Gauvreau, AG’s Office Cindy & Dan Staples Carol & Carl Deal

Call to Order:

 

Meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM.

 

Approval of July 11, 2006 meeting minutes:

 

Ike Goodwin made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 11, 2006 meeting and Don Robbins 2^nd the motion.  Accepted by the Commission.

 

Dan Staples vs Knowlton Well Drilling:

 

Mr. Staples presented information to help demonstrate what he feels are problems with the well drilled on the Adam’s property.  The concern relevant to the Commission was that the well was drilled partially on his property.  He was also upset that trees had been cut down without his permission.  It was explained to Mr. Staples that the Commission has no authority over the trees and he should seek other remedies for that problem.  Mr. Staples showed the Commission maps and photos that indicated that the well bi-sects the property line between the Staples and Adams lots.  After listening to Mr. Staples the Commission reviewed all of the information submitted and discussed this case at length. 

 

Ike Goodwin moved that the Commission, given this new information, should reconsider the June 2, 2004 Specialty Well Application approval, for Douglas & Brenda Adams, on 5 Island Lane, Cushing Maine.

 

After discussion concerning the omission of the location of the septic system on the Staples property located significantly less than 100 feet from the then proposed well location Ike Goodwin motioned to rescind the prior approval of the June 2004 Specialty Well Application submitted by Reilly Well Drilling.  Ed Bowie 2^nd the motion.  Motion passed.

 

New Specialty Well Application (SWA) Submitted by Knowlton

Well Drilling:  Ike Goodwin motioned that the After the Fact

SWA shows the well to be on the property line according to the

diagram.  This information combined with the information

provided by Mr.Staples, resulted in the Commission finding

that the well had in fact been drilled partially on the

Staples property.  

 

Therefore, the After-The–Fact SWA was denied because the well is not on the applicant’s property.  The Commission has no authority to approve a well on a property other than the applicant’s.  Glenn Dyer 2^nd the motion.  Passed.   Knowlton Well Drilling will be notified the After the Fact SWA is denied and the well drilled 11/2005 must be abandoned.

 

Ike Goodwin made a motion to find the well previously drilled during November of 2005 is in violation of Rule 400.7.  Marc Loiselle 2^nd the motion.  Passed 

 

Ike Goodwin commented on when the Commission is presented with a Specialty Well Application and it appears the well is very near a property line, the Commission should require that the drilling activities not affect abutting properties, including the release of drilling fluids, mud and cuttings, unless they have specific written permission.  

 

Update on Complaints: 

 

Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling:

 

Paul Gauvreau, AAG, spoke with Fred Badger, Mr. Levesque’s

attorney and explained the situation.

 

The Commission’s order is still in effect, after the delay

request, until August 4, 2006.  The Commission has not

received written verification of the abandonment being

completed and if Mr. Levesque still owes Ms. Charette

additional money?  Paul Gauvreau will call Mr. Badger.

 

Marc Loiselle made a motion that we have not determined

abandonment was done by August 4, 2006, therefore, it would

suspend Mr. Levesque’s drilling license until the abandonment

is completed.  Passed.

 

Kathleen MacKenzie vs Adam Baker Well Drilling:   

 

Evidence was presented that demonstrated that access to property was denied.  Mr. Baker’s license was reinstated.  Closed

 

Kenneth Beach vs Merl”Sam” Well Drilling Inc: 

 

Mr. Dunham has until September 19, 2006 (60 days) to complete

Corrective action.  On Hold.

 

New Complaints:  None

    

Complaints Closed:

 

Barry Noyes vs Clearwater Well Drilling:  Closed

 

Peter Haraden vs Burns Well Drilling: Closed due to lack of information from Mr. Harden, the Commission is unable to respond.

 

Mike Letourneau vs Baker Well Drilling: Closed

 

Philip Mason vs Goodwin Well & Water:  Closed

 

Specialty Wells:

 

     Applications approved in the office:

 

Lawrence & Rhonda Young, 61 feet from leach field, 55 feet from neighbor’s leach field.  Holden ME.  Approved with 60 feet of casing or liner. Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling.

 

Diane Caron,  60 feet from tank, 75 feet from leach field.  Stockholm Me.  Approved with 60 feet of casing or liner.  Estey Water Wells.

 

Rodney & Priscilla Belanger, 40 feet from tank, 40 feet from leach field.  Windham Me.  Approved with 120 feet of casing or liner.  Randy Dyer Well Drilling.

 

Jade Drake & Shane Kindeimann,  41 feet from tank, 115 feet from leach field.  Woolwich ME.  Approved with 70 feet of casing or liner.  Adam Baker Well Drilling.

 

Application Approved at the August Meeting:

 

James & Patricia Hatch – B & D Well Drilling  39 feet from pump station and 42 feet from leach field.  Approved with 120 feet of casing or liner.

 

Examinations Requested

 

Randy Marquis, is requesting to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller and Journeyman Pump Installer exams.  Ike Goodwin made a motion and Ed Bowie 2^nd it.  Approved by the Commission.

 

Examinations Passed:

 

Steve Mucci of S & D Water Well Service passed the Master Well Driller’s Exam.

 

New Business:

 

     David Braley is in contact with a member of the Legislature who is seeking legislation be passed to allow a journeyman well driller exam be taken even though the driller has not been a licensed apprentice for a full year.

 

     Maine DEP has asked the Commission if they were aware of any mercury seals used in pumps in Maine? 

 

     An observation was brought to the Commission referring to an approved Specialty Well Application not being completed as ordered by the Commission in the conditions of approval and the use of materials not approved for drinking water systems.  David Braley will respond with a letter.  Dean Getchell will inspect the well construction.

 

Meeting Dates for 2006 

 

         January 3, 2006               July 11, 2006

          February 7, 2006        August 8, 2006

          March 7, 2006           September 12, 2006

          April 4, 2006           October 3, 2006

          May 2, 2006             November 7, 2006

          June 6, 2006            December 5, 2006

Subject to change.

 

The next Well Drillers Meeting will be:

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 9:00 am.

 

Meeting Adjourned 12:50 pm