TO:       MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

 

FROM:     Edward Bowie, Chairman

 

date:     January 3, 2006

 

subject:  Meeting Tuesday, January 3, 2006

 

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 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 December 3, 2005 minutes

 

2.  Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

 

3.  New Business

 

4.  Public Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of January 3, 2006 Meeting

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

Others Present: Paul Gauvreau, AG’s Office. Carol Champagne, Board Clerk Dean Getchell, Inspector Richard Dunham, Driller Rodney Pratt, Driller Barry Sandford, Driller

Call to Order:

 

Meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM.

 

Approval of December 3, 2005 meeting minutes:

 

Ike Goodwin made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 6, 2005 meeting, Don Robbins 2^nd the motion.  Accepted by the Commission.

 

Richard Dunham:  Appeared before the Commission, as requested, to discuss numerous complaints and repeated violations by his company in the last couple of years.  The Janice Gifford complaint has been settled by Ms. Gifford being repaid the cost of the well, confirmation is needed before this case can be closed.  The complaint by Mr. Rouse must be placed on hold because the new well cannot be hooked up until frost leaves the ground.  David Braley will contact Mr. Rouse in April to determine when the time will be right to abandon the first well. This well must be abandoned within 15 days of the final trench work to connect the new well.  Mr. Dunham installed extra casing in Douglas Belfour’s well completing the corrective action and closing the case. 

 

A discussion, requested by Ike Goodwin, focused on the need for guidelines for the Commission to use concerning fines and suspensions.  There is currently nothing to guide the Commission as it determines whether penalties are required as complaints are investigated and resolved.   A point system will be drafted by David Braley based on the severity of each offence similar to the drivers license point system.    

 

The Draft will be sent to Commission members for review and comment and to Rodney Pratt and Barry Sandford representing the Groundwater Association to get well drillers input. 

 

Update on Complaints: 

 

Kimball Lake Shores:  - Carol will review   the Setback reduction Notification Forms submitted by Tasker Well Drilling for wells drilled in this subdivision and report the findings to the Commission in February.  On Hold.   

 

Janice Gifford vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling: - A call needs to be made to Ms. Gifford asking for confirmation regarding a refund instead of corrective action.  On Hold. 

    

Thomas Rouse vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling Inc:  Replacement well has been drilled. Mr. Rouse is responsible for the trench work, which can’t be done until spring when the frost leaves the ground.  David will send a letter to notify Mr. Dunham that the first well must be properly abandoned within 15 days of the completion of the trench work.  On Hold.

 

Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling: All of the information available was sent to Mr. Levesque as he requested for his review.  This included Dean Getchell’s report, the down hole video of the well, and a sample of the sand that was in the water.  On Hold.

 

Linda Lee vs B & W Pump & Filter Service:  David Braley will send a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and cc a copy to the Attorney Generals Office regarding this complaint and seeking an explanation for no action by the Electricians Board.  On Hold.

 

New Complaints: 

 

Katie Bosse vs Fleming Well Drilling: The well was drilled in 2001.  Ike Goodwin made a motion to deny accepting the complaint because it exceeds the 24 month limit for complaints to be filed allowed in the Rules.  David 2^nd the motion.  Passed.  David will send a letter to Ms. Bosse informing her of her options.  

 

Complaints Closed:

 

Jennifer Sanborn (H.E./Plumbing & Wastewater) vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling Inc – Closed

 

Christopher Jordan vs Bill’s & Son”s Plumbing & Heating: Closed

 

Susan Chasse vs Ted McLeod Well Drilling: Closed

 

Specialty Wells

    

     Andrew Couture & Lisa DeCesare Couture – S & D Water Well Service  Denied  (Driven Point Well)

 

Examinations Requested

 

None               

 

New Business: 

 

Driven Point Wells The Commission has jurisdiction to regulate Driven Point Wells.  Absent intervention by the Legislature, only licensed well drillers may install or repair driven point wells, and they must meet all of the construction standards for surficial wells found in the Rules.

 

Licensed Drillers:  A letter will be sent to A & W Well Drilling asking them to identify all of their licensed drillers and pump installers.

 

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, February 7, 2006 at 9:00 am.

Meeting adjourned 12:30 pm