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TO:       MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

 

FROM:     Edward Bowie, Chairman

 

date:     october 4, 2006

 

subject:  Meeting Tuesday, october 3, 2006

 

 

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 9:00 A.M. at the Maine Motor Transport, Whitten Road, Augusta ME.  The phone number is 623-4128.

 

 

AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER MEETING

 

1.  Approve the October 3, 2006 minutes

 

2.  Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

 

3.  New Business

 

4.  Public Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of October 3, 2006 Meeting

 

Members Present:

Ed Bowie, Chairman

Glenn Dyer, Driller

Chris Olson, DOT

Donald Robbins, Public Mem.

David Braley, DWP

Ira Goodwin, Driller

Marc Loiselle, MGS

 

 

 

Others Present:

George Tzikas, Board Clerk

Dean Getchell, Inspector

Paul Gauvreau, AG’s Office

Ken & Lisa Veniot

 

 

 

 

 

Call to Order:

 

Meeting was called to order at 9:10 AM.

 

Approval of September 12, 2006 meeting minutes:

 

Glenn Dyer made a motion to accept the minutes of the September 12, 2006 meeting with changes and Don Robbins 2nd the motion.  The proposed changes excepted were as

follows:

 

Delete language concerning Specialty Well Approvals under 40 feet from the discussion under “other business”, and include the discussion of entering into a contract with the retired sheriff’s organization to investigate unlicensed drillers.

 

Accepted by the Commission.

 

New Complaints:

 

Kenneth & Lisa Veniot vs Kennebec Well Drilling:  Dean Getchell inspected the well and confirmed that the casing seal is leaking, verifying the results of a video inspection done by the Venoit’s.  The Commission found that section 401.5 of the Well Drillers Rules had been violated.  The Commission also found that repairing the well is not a possible corrective action as the well was drilled on a neighbor’s property and the neighbor will not allow any repairs to be completed.

 

A motion was offered ordering either a new well be drilled in compliance with the Rules on the Venoit property OR a full refund of $3,405.50 be given to the Venoit’s as compensation for the original well being drilled in violation of the Rules and on the wrong property.  After a new well has been drilled, either by Kennebec Well drilling, if the replacement well options is chosen, or by another driller if a refund is offered, the original well must be properly abandoned.  All of the above ordered corrective action must be completed within 60 days of the date of notice and written confirmation must be received by the Commission.  Dean Getchell must be present to inspect the drilling of a new well and the abandonment of the old well.  Neighbor will be copied on notice.  Motion passed.  Notice Required.

 

Nancy J Robicheaw vs Andrew Bowie Inc:  On hold waiting for test results from the Robicheaw’s.

 

Update on Complaints:

 

Dan Staples vs Knowlton Well Drilling:  David Braley will send a letter to clarify the timing of the ordered corrective action with 30 more days to comply.  Notice Required.

 

Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling:  Case is still in litigation.  On hold waiting for full refund to be given.

 

Kenneth Beach vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling:  Mr. Dunham has notified the Commission that seals have been installed as ordered as corrective action.  Verification by Mr. Beach is required (Carol will call) to close this complaint.

 

Other Business:  

 

Item #1:  The case of a Specialty Well that was potentially drilled without using the conditions of approval required by the Commission by Wells Unlimited was discussed.  A second letter was sent to the driller requesting additional information.  No response has been received concerning the first request.  The Commission decided to notify Wells Unlimited, Inc. that the following potential violation of the Rules will be discussed at the November meeting: 

 

1)     Was a master or journeyman well driller on site during the drilling? Section 204.5

2)     Was the Variance Deed Covenant filed with the County Registry of Deeds?  Section 400.7.1

3)     Was the well head terminated below ground level?  Section 402

4)     The Commission’s independent inspector was not notified when the well was to be drilled and was not present during the injection of grout.  Section 400.7

5)     Was a Set Back Reduction Notification form completed for this well?  Section 400.5

6)     Was the well constructed as required in the conditions of approval?  Section 400.7

7)     What materials were used in the construction of the well, were materials not approved for drinking water wells used?  Section 401.1.3

 

The driller is requested to attend the meeting to help clarify these questions.  Notice Required.

 

In addition, a letter will be drafted for the homeowner requesting a copy of the deed covenant with the book and page number and date of filing for the required deed covenant filing, and giving notice that Dean Getchell will be inspecting the abandonment of the old well.  Notice Required.

 

Item #2:  The Maine Sheriffs association has submitted a proposal for conducting investigations for the Commission.  A contract will be drafted and submitted for approval authorizing these retired sheriffs to investigate unlicensed well drillers.

 

Specialty Well Applications Approved in office:

 

Kelly R Clenchy – Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling:  Glenburn ME,  46 feet from holding tank.  Approved with 70 feet of casing or liner.

 

John Karp/Heidi Bishop – Temple Well Drilling Inc: Auburn ME. 52 feet from the septic tank and 62 feet from the leachfield.  Approved with 60 feet of casing or liner.

 

Bob Poirier – Goodwin Well & Water Inc:  Hartford ME, 51 feet from septic tank and 44 feet from leachfield.  Approved with 120 feet of casing or liner.

 

Dow Seremo – Clearwater Well Drilling Inc:  St Albans ME. 60 feet from septic tank and 60 feet from leachfield.  Approved with 100 feet of casing or liner.

 

Cathy Devoe – Hodgdon Well Drilling Inc:  Harrison ME.  47 feet from the septic tank and 80 feet from the leachfield.  Approved with 70 feet of casing or liner.

 

Specialty Well Applications Approved at meeting:

 

Royal S. Keene, John S. Gilbert Well Drilling.  Approved pending the receipt of additional information demonstrating the requirement to drill as requested with 120 feet of casing or liner with both top and bottom jazwell type seals.

 

Examinations Requested

 

          None

 

Examinations Passed:

 

Steve Mucci, passed Master Well Driller exam, from  S & D Water Service, Hollis ME,

 

Brian Gurney, passed Journeyman Well Driller exam, from Goodwin Well & Water, No Turner ME.

 

Arthur Tompson, passed Journeyman Well Driller exam, from High Pine Well Drilling, Buxton ME.

 

Charles Cleaveland, passed the Master Pump Installer exam, from Advance Pump & Filters, Lee NH.

 

Randy Marquis, passed Journeyman Well Driller and the Journeyman Pump Installer exam, from Marquis Well Drilling, Frenchville ME.

 

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, November 7, 2006 at 9:00 am.

 

Meeting Adjourned 11:30 am