TO:       MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

 

FROM:     Edward Bowie, Chairman

 

date:     January 8, 2008

 

subject:  Meeting Tuesday, January 8, 2008

 

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 9:00 A.M., at the Maine Motor Transport, Whitten Road, Augusta, ME. 

 

 

AGENDA FOR DECEMBER MEETING

 

1.  Approve the January 8, 2008 minutes

 

2.  Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

 

3.  New Business

 

4.  Public Comments

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of January 8, 2008 Meeting

Members Present: Ed Bowie, Chairman Glenn Dyer, Driller Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Dan Locke, MGS Ira Goodwin, Driller Donald Robbins, Public Member

Others Present: Paul Gauvreau, AAG Carol Champagne, Board Clerk Dean Getchell, Inspector Barry Sandford, 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 December 11, 2007 minutes with corrections.  Passed

 

Financial Report: 

 

David is working on a report to update the Commission.

 

Renewals:

 

     So far 310 drillers and pump installers have renewed their licenses and 130 Companies have registered.

 

Up Date on Complaints:

 

 

Anonymous Complaint – Knowlton Well Drilling:

 

     Additional information is required concerning a well setback that was determined as part of another investigation.  A copy of the HHE 200 will be requested from the Subsurface Disposal Program. 

 

David Perkins vs. Merl “Sam” Dunham Inc:   

 

     On hold until 6/30/2008

Wells Unlimited – Crane Well:

 

     Corrective action on hold until 3/31/2008

 

New Complaints

 

Kate Tufts, DWP vs. Wells Unlimited: 

 

The Commission had delayed discussion of this complaint as requested by Doug Wright, until the January meeting. 

    

     Kate Tufts (Field Investigator for DWP) sent a follow up letter to David Braley on the well drilled for a Public Water Supply by Wells Unlimited without prior approval from the DWP.

 

     The Commission discussed the issue and the responsibilities of the owner and the driller.  The owner is responsible for contacting the DWP and securing approval for a PWS well.  The driller has a responsibility to ask if an establishment is a PWS and to review the letter of approval prior to drilling a well.  The water system in question regarding this complaint is a large existing retail facility regulated by the DWP and has a licensed designated water operator.

 

     Don Robbins made a motion that based on the information provided to date, a violation of sections 300.3.5 and 400.2.1 of the “Well Drillers and Pump Installers Rules”, 144A CMR 232, had occurred.  The motion was amended.

 

     Ike Goodwin made the motion: The Commission finds that Wells Unlimited, Inc. drilled a well for a public water supply prior to written approval from the DWP. Furthermore, the Commission finds that Wells Unlimited, Inc. should have inquired further regarding this establishment’s status as a public water supply.  Wells Unlimited has not provided the Commission with any information that they inquired of the owner if this was going to be a PWS well before drilling the well.  To date Wells Unlimited, Inc. has not responded to the Commission’s request for specific information regarding this complaint, instead requesting that the complaint be put on hold.  A violation of 400.2.1 (3 points) was found.  Glenn Dyer 2^nd the amended motion.  Passed

 

     Ike Goodwin made a motion to levy a fine against the license of Mr. Wright using the Commission’s adopted point system.  Three points will be assessed to both Doug Wright (individual license) and Wells Unlimited, Inc. (company license).  There are currently 9 points assessed to these licenses.  These 3 new points result in a total of 12 points and a $450 fine against the Master Well Drillers license of Mr. Wright. Dwight Doughty 2^nd the motion.  Passed

 

Specialty Well Applications:

 

     David Smith – Pine State Drilling:  After the Fact SWA

 

     This well ended up being gravel well which requires a SWA.

    

     The well is 90 feet from the leach field and 71 feet from the tank.  Approved with 125 feet of casing.  The Commission requested a copy of the well log.

         

Exams requested:

 

     None

 

Examinations Passed in December:  

 

     Tom Mason, from Moosehead Water Well LLC, passed his Journeyman Well Driller Exam.

 

New Business:

 

     Ed Bowie requested that someone consider running for chairman of the Commission.

 

 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 February 12, 2008, at 9:00 Maine Motor Transport on the Whitten Road in Augusta.

 

Meeting Adjourned 10:50 A.M.