TO:

TO: MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

FROM: Edward Bowie, Chairman

date: February 8, 2006

subject: Meeting Tuesday, february 7, 2006

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 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 February 7, 2006 minutes

2. Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

3. New Business

4. Public Comments

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

Minutes of February 7, 2006 Meeting

Members Present:

Glenn Dyer, Driller

Edward Bowie, Chairman

Marc Loiselle, MGS

Chris Olson, DOT

Ira Goodwin, Driller

Donald Robbins, Public Mem.

David Braley, DWP

Others Present:

Paul Gauvreau, AG’s Office.

Carol Champagne, Board Clerk

Barry Sandford, Driller

Chad Sandford, Driller

Call to Order:

Meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM.

Approval of January 3, 2006 meeting minutes:

Glenn Dyer made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 3, 2006 meeting, Don Robbins 2^nd the motion. Accepted by the Commission.

David Braley, presented a first draft of the “Violation Point System” he has been working on. Fines and suspensions categories will range from 1 to 5 according to severity of violation and potential threat to public health. Comments from the Commission ranged from an expressed need for public notice, notifying CEOs, and notices in local newspapers. The proposed point system will be reviewed by the Commission and the Maine Ground Water Association. The New Hampshire Driller’s Board system will also be taken into consideration.

Update on Complaints:

Kimball Lake Shores: - Ike Goodwin made a motion to note that Tasker Well Company was in violation of rule 400.5 of the Well Driller and Pump Installer Rules. They did not file Setback Reduction Notification Forms for the wells drilled for Mr. Quigley or Mr. Michaud. They have submitted after the fact forms as requested by the Commission. Don Robbins 2^nd the motion. Passed

Thomas Rouse vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling Inc: On Hold until spring because of frost.

Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling: Mr. Levesque is requesting an appeal. The Commission will invite Mr. Levesque to the March 7^th meeting. Mr. Levesque was found to be in violation of Rules 403.5 and 403.6 of the Well Driller and Pump Installer Rules. Paul Gauvreau will begin the appeal process while the Commission works to resolve this complaint.

Linda Lee vs B & W Pump & Filter Service: David Braley will follow up on the letter sent to the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Amy Mills is the Attorney for the Plumbers Board. Hold

Katie Bosse vs Fleming Well Drilling: Ms. Bosse requested the Commission to re-open her complaint due to wording in the Rules. Glenn Dyer made a motion to stand by the original ruling of 24 month limit for filing complaints. Ike Goodwin 2^nd the motion. Motion passed with 5 for and 2 against. David Braley will send a letter to Ms. Bosse informing her of her right to appeal the Commission’s ruling.

Chris Jordan: Requested the Commission to re-open his complaint due to a positive bacteria test. The Commission ruled that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred.

New Complaints:

Ron Montgomery vs Hillock & Son Well Drilling: Complaint is that no pump was installed in the well.

In August of 2004, Mr. Hillock signed a letter stating that he will not install or repair pumps until a pump installer’s exam has been taken and passed. He is currently not a licensed pump installer.

Mr. Montgomery must demonstarte that a pump was included in the contract before the Commission can become involved.

Margaret Sherman (represented by Susan J Pope, Attorney) vs Fleming Well & Pumps: Problem is concerned with amount of water flowing out of the top of well.

Marc’s response concerning “artesian” wells:

Ms. Pope:

The Well Drilling Commission has reviewed your letter concerning the well drilled by Fleming Well and Pump for Ms. Margaret Sherman.

First, we want to assure you that a "flowing" or "artesian" bedrock well - a situation where water flows over the top of the well - is not an unusual occurrence in Maine. It can occur whenever the water pressure in the bedrock fractures intersected by the well is sufficient to force the water to an elevation greater that the top of the well casing. It is exactly analogous to "water seeking its own level" in a hose when you lift one end of the hose and the water flows out the lower end. In this case, the groundwater recharge to the bedrock fractures [analogous to the hose] feeding the well is occurring at a higher elevation than the top of the well. During periods of significant rain, the water level in the fractures in the recharge are rises, causing the water level in the well to increase, causing it to flow over the top. In no way is a flowing artesian well indicative of a leaking casing seal. [Note that the flow is due to "artesian" pressure not "atmospheric" pressure - someone either misspoke or misunderstood the term.]

One member of the Commission- Chris Olsen of Readfield - has an identical situation with her well. In the spring, when groundwater levels are high - her well is a flowing artesian well.

Backfilling around the well will not prevent the problem. The cause of the problem is likely many thousands of feet, possibly miles, away where the recharge to the groundwater from rainfall is occurring. What Ms. Sherman should do is have a small drainage ditch dug to allow the water to flow away from the site of the well to some natural drainage point at the edge of the property.

Again, I want to emphasize that a flowing well such as the one Ms. Sherman has is not indicative of a leaky casing seal. A casing seal leaking during rain events would typically produce turbid or muddy water. If your client is concerned about the possibility of contamination, she should have a water test done [something the Commission and the State recommends for all new wells as a matter of course].

Louise Scott vs L & L Well Drilling: Problem is Ms. Scott keeps running out of water with air blasting out of the faucet. Ike Goodwin corrected the problem by changing the pump hook-up to eliminate air pressure from water with high dissolved oxygen.

The Commission will ask for statements from Ms. Scott neighbors concerning who drilled the well and the status of their license(s). The Commission will contact L & L Well Drilling and request information concerning who drilled the well.

Sarah Angelina DeLagostti vs Stone Septic Service: Andrew Stone is not licensed for pump installation. Case given to Attorney General’s office. Civil case.

Kathleen MacKenzie vs Adam Baker Well Drilling: Complaint is casing was broken during drilling. Charged $9,248 for well that was pressurized and keeps losing water. Commission ruled Dean Getchell will inspect the well. The Commission cannot be involved with the financial issues. Ms. MacKenzie should contact the Attorney General’s Office concerning the lack of a contract for this work.

Complaints Closed:

Janice Gifford vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling: - Closed

Specialty Wells

Louis D’Agostino – Cross Water Pumps Approved with a minimum of 120 feet of 6 inch casing, installed inside a 10 inch annulus grouted from bottom to top using the tremie method of placement. Start grouting when bore hole is drilled, after casing set and before drilling further into bedrock.

Examinations Requested

None

New Business:

The Commission will check into installing electrical wires – what the HP rating is?

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, March 7, 2006 at 9:00 am.

Meeting adjourned 12:55 pm