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TO:
MEMBERS OF THE
MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION
FROM:
Edward
Bowie, Chairman
date: FEBRUARY 12,
2008
subject: Meeting Tuesday, FEBRUARY 12, 2008
The next Commission
meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at
9:00 A.M., at the Maine Motor Transport,
AGENDA FOR DECEMBER MEETING
1. Approve the February 12, 2008 minutes
2. Discuss pending matters, complaints,
Responses,
application, etc.
3. New Business
4. Public Comments
Minutes of February 12, 2008 Meeting
|
Members Present: Glenn Dyer, Driller Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Marc Loiselle, MGS Ira Goodwin, Driller |
Others
Present: Paul Gauvreau, AAG Carol Champagne,
Board Clerk Ted Rolfe, Driller Barry Sandford,
Driller Mike Bickford,
Driller Douglas Wright,
Driller |
Call to Order:
Meeting
was called to order at 9:10 AM.
Approval of January 8, 2008 meeting minutes:
The Commission made
a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2007 meeting. One correction regarding the complaint from
Kate Tufts was required. A sentence
in the findings of fact section had been omitted. Motion passed. The January
minutes have been properly modified.
Financial Report:
David is working on a report to update the Commission on its financial
position.
Up Date on Complaints:
Anonymous
Complaint – Knowlton Well Drilling:
The Commission found no
violation of the Rules as this well existed prior to the septic system being
installed. Glenn made the motion
which was seconded by Marc. Complaint
closed.
David Perkins vs. Merl “Sam”
Dunham Inc:
Corrective action on
hold until 6/30/2008
Wells Unlimited – Crane Well:
Corrective action on
hold until 3/31/2008
Update on Complaints
Kate Tufts, DWP vs. Wells Unlimited:
Doug Wright expressed
his concerns regarding a finding by the Commission that he had violated the
section of the rules requiring prior approval from the DWP before drilling a
well for a public water supply. He
told the Commission that the owner never told him it was a PWS and he felt
mislead by the owner.
Ike Goodwin listed the businesses located there,
including a
The Commission took no further action.
Doug Wright gave the Commission his Appeal letter.
New Complaints:
Ellen Paoletti
vs Bickford Well Drilling:
Problem is Bacteria and
odor after disinfecting the well.
Mr. Bickford showed the
Commission pictures of the well site.
The well is 40 feet from a holding tank with approximately (actual
casing length unknown) 20 feet of casing and is at least 100 feet from the
leach field. The well is 47 feet
deep. The contractor told Mr.
Bickford where he wanted the well to go.
The driller explained the better spot for the well would be in front of the
camp and the contractor said the owner made it clear where he wanted the well
to be drilled.
Mr. Bickford has only drilled a 5 inch diameter well
so seals are not possible. Mr.
Bickford offered to check the well in the spring.
Finding of Facts:
1) The driller inquired about the location of
septic system components and was told that it was a holding tank, he made a good faith effort to be accurate
and in compliance with the rules.
2) The well is
approximately 40 feet from the holding tank. This was the result of misinterpreting
the differences between the Subsurface Disposal rules and the
Commission’s rules.
3) Casing length is
between 12 and 20 feet.
4) No Specialty Well
Application was submitted for approval from the Commission.
5) The contractor
insisted the well be drilled in that spot.
Driller recommended the well be drilled down by lake.
6) The well as
constructed cannot be altered or repaired to bring it into compliance.
The Findings of Fact were moved, seconded and
approved by the Commission.
Marc Loiselle made the motion that a violation of
the Well Drillers and Pump Installer Rules, section 400.7, Specialty Well
Applications, was found. Glenn Dyer
2nd the motion. Approved
The driller shall properly abandon the well at his
expense and will work with the owner and offer to drill a new well at
appropriate distances from septic system components at the home owner’s
expense. This motion was moved,
seconded and approved by the Commission.
Points – 5 for Rule 400.7
Specialty Well Applications:
None
Exams requested:
James C Innis request to sit for the Journeyman Pump Installer exam. He
has fulfilled his apprentice requirements.
Marc Loiselle made motion to allow Mr. Innis to sit for the exam and
David Braley 2nd the motion.
Approved by the Commission.
Examinations
Passed in January 2008:
Bert
Deschane, from Sunco Pump and Well Drilling, passed his Journeyman Well Driller
Exam.
New
Business:
The Commission discussed the issue of general
contractors allowing their workers to install pumps in Public Water Supplies
wells without being licensed with the Commission or being a licensed Master
plumber.
Well casings have been damaged and wells are not
always disinfected properly. A
letter will be drafted for contractors and manufactured housing companies explaining
the problem and informing them of the regulations regarding license requirements.
After
adjourning the regular business meeting, the Commission conducted a workshop on
proposed Rule changes as recommended by the Maine Ground Water
Association. At the end of the workshop, there was a motion to reconsider
our previous motion to adjourn and the meeting was reopened. The
Commission then moved, seconded and approved a motion to authorize Commission
member David Braley to finalize language for Rule changes that were agreed upon
during the work session and to forward the draft to the Attorney General’s
office for their revue. The meeting
was then officially adjourned.
Meeting Dates for 2008
January 8, 2008 July 8, 2008
February 12, 2008 August 5, 2008
March 4, 2008 September
9, 2008
April 1, 2008 October 7, 2008
May 6, 2008 November 4, 2008
June 3, 2008 December
2, 2008
Subject to change.
The next Well Drillers
Meeting will be: Tuesday March 4, 2008, at 9:00
Meeting
Adjourned 11:45 A.M.