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TO:
MEMBERS OF THE
MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION
FROM:
Edward
Bowie, Chairman
date: May 1, 2007
subject: Meeting Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The next Commission
meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at
9:00 A.M. at the Maine Motor Transport,
AGENDA FOR APRIL MEETING
1. Approve the May 1, 2007 minutes
2. Discuss pending matters, complaints,
Responses, application, etc.
3. New Business
4. Public Comments
Minutes of May 1, 2007 Meeting
|
Members Present: Ed Bowie, Chairman Glenn Dyer, Driller Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Marc Loiselle, MGS Ira Goodwin, Driller Donald Robbins, Public Memb |
Others
Present: Paul Gauvreau, AAG Carol Champagne,
Board Clerk Dean Getchell,
Inspector Rodney Pratt,
Driller Cheryl Oldfield,
Public |
Call to Order:
Meeting
was called to order at 9:10 AM.
Approval of April
3, 2007 meeting minutes:
Glenn
Dyer made a motion to approve the April 3, 2007 minutes. Donald Robbins seconded the motion. Passed.
Up Date on
Sheriff:
Contract has been approved by DHHS, now waiting for the
final signatures from the MSA.
Update on Appeals:
Wells Unlimited - Doug Wright: appeal took place
in
Kenneth Venoit vs
Update on
Complaints:
Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling: The Hearings
Officer’s recommendation to the Commissioner that the Commission actions
were appropriate was accepted by the Commissioner; therefore the Commission is
waiting for confirmation of remaining $990.00 refund to the homeowner.
Douglas & Brenda Adams vs Bill Knowlton Well Drilling: On Hold pending confirmation that
the old well has been properly abandoned.
Don Fries vs Woodsome Well Drilling: On Hold pending scheduled
completion of corrective action in May.
Cheryl Oldfield vs Gary Adams Well Drilling: Dean Getchell
presented his report and showed the down-hole video taken of the “second”
well.
The first well drilled has been abandon below grade,
the method used is unknown, and the second well has a leaking casing seal. The
second well is the well now connected to the Oldfield home.
Marc Loiselle made a
motion to send copies of the video inspection to Mr. Galen Hopkins, Adams Well
Drilling and Cheryl Oldfield.
Donald Robbins 2nd the motion. Passed
Findings: Ike Goodwin made a motion
that the Commission find violations of Rule 401.5 (5 points) –
“It shall be the responsibility of
the driller to install a sufficient length of well casing into bedrock, and to
affect a proper seal in order to prevent surface water and shallow ground water
from transmitting gravel, sand, silt, clay and coliform bacteria into the
wellbore at the bottom of the casing or anywhere along the length of the casing.”;
and Rule 600.1 (3 points) – “Electric code - Pump installers shall comply with National Electrical
Code requirements.” (the pump ground wire
was not properly grounded); and Rule 603.8 (3 points) – “Casing cover: Drilled well casing shall have
a manufactured cover to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the well.”
(the well cap was oversized and didn’t fit
properly); and Rule 408.2 (1 point) – “Approved Methods for Information Recording.” (there was no
information on the cap or pressure tank as required by statute). Marc Loiselle
2nd the motion. Passed.
A total of twelve (12) points have been accumulated under the
Commission’s violation point system.
Under the point system, the first nine (9) points carry no penalty; the
next three include a fine of $150.00 per point, for a total fine of
$450.00. The points accumulated
shall remain active for three (3) years from the date of these findings and be
added to any subsequent violations.
Well
# 1: Dean Getchell shall
inspect the first well that has been abandoned to verify the methods used.
Glenn Dyer made a
motion that the second well cannot be repaired and to order Mr. Adams replace
the second well with a new properly installed well. He may choose to replace it himself or
hire someone to drill it in accordance with the “Well Drillers & Pump
Installers Rules”. The new
well shall also have a pump system installed appropriate for the type and depth
of the well completed. After the
new well is drilled well #2 shall be properly abandoned as required in the
Rules. Dean Getchell must be present for abandonment of well #2. Dean will inspect the new well (#3)
after completion.
If all corrective
action is completed within 30 days of written notice the fine of $450 shall be
waived. Don Robbins 2nd
the motion. Passed
Cecil Fogg vs Bill Knowlton Well Drilling:
Dean Getchell’s report showed no top seal of
any type was observed. A shale
packer was observed inside the well at the 7 foot level and a clamp was further
down and inside the seal sleeve.
Bottom seal is leaking. The
well is located adjacent to a horse paddock and barn.
Finding: Glenn Dyer made a motion that the Commission find
violations of Rule 401.5 (5 points) – “Casing Extension into bedrock: It shall be
the responsibility of the driller to install a sufficient length of well casing
into bedrock, and to affect a proper seal in order to prevent surface water and
shallow ground water from transmitting gravel, sand, silt, clay and coliform
bacteria into the wellbore at the bottom of the casing or anywhere along the
length of the casing.”
Ike Goodwin 2nd the motion. Passed. A total of five (5) points have been
accumulated under the Commission’s violation point system. Under the point system, the first nine
(9) points carry no additional penalties.
Corrective action: Marc
Loiselle made a motion to recommend the installation of a bottom seal at 62 to
65 feet and top seal inside casing, both attached to an appropriate sleeve. The existing seals and sleeve must be
removed prior to the installation of new seals. The driller also has the option of
drilling a new well and abandoning the old well, if he chooses this option Dean
will inspect the new well after completion and inspect the abandonment of the
old well. David Braley 2nd the motion. Passed
Douglas Belfour – Merl
“Sam” Dunham Well Drilling:
An After the Fact Specialty Well Application was approved by the
Commission on December 19, 2005.
The approval included a requirement that top and bottom seals and a
liner sleeve be installed to compensate for inadequate casing length.
Mr. Belfour hired a
contractor to inspect the well. The
inspection showed the seal had slipped down below the well case.
Marc Loiselle made a
motion to send Dean Getchell to confirm the corrective action the Commission
ordered was completed as required.
Glenn Dyer 2nd the motion. Passed
New Complaints:
Judith (Scotty)
Folger vs Carmel Well Drilling Inc: Problem is sediment in the well. The Commission request new water test
taken and a response from the driller.
On hold until the June meeting.
Sandy Forde vs D
& M Well Drilling Inc:
Problem is sediment in the well.
The Commission request new water test taken and a response for the
driller. On hold
until the June meeting.
John Doe vs
Woodsome Well Drilling Inc: Problem is running out of water. All parties will be notified and the Commission
will request a copy of contracts and agreements to help determine
responsibility. On
hold until the June meeting.
Specialty Well Applications:
None
Exams requested:
Justin Lanphier, Hatch Well Drillers, Nobleboro ME
request to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller and Journeyman Pump Installer exams.
Accepted by the Commission.
Asa
P Jones,P L Jones & Son Inc, Ellsworth ME
request to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller and Journeyman Pump Installer exams. Accepted by the
Commission.
Examinations
Passed:
None taken in April
New
Bussiness
The
new exam applications have been accepted by the Commission. They will replace the old applications.
Meeting Dates for 2007
January 9, 2007 July 10, 2007
February 6, 2007 August 7, 2007
March 6, 2007 September 4, 2007
April 3, 2007 October 2, 2007
May 1, 2007 November 6, 2007
June 5, 2007 December
4, 2007
Subject to change.
Please Notice
change:
The next Well Drillers Meeting will be:
Tuesday,
June 5, 2007 at 9:00 am.
Meeting
Adjourned 1:50 P.M.