Download Minutes- BRWC Meeting August 2011

Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone
Minutes of the meeting of August 17, 2011
Place: AMICA
Present: John Marsland (presiding), Bob Charpentier, Keith Hainley, Ray Pado, Kevin Burns,
Frank Geary, Joe Pailthorpe, Sandra Belliveau, Paul Roselli, Frank Matta, Arthur Plitt,
Judy Hadley, Jay McGinn, Peter Coffin, Alice Clemente
The meeting began with a presentation by Jay McGinn (RIDEM), the new coordinator of
BRWC/FOB’s fish ladder project on the four lower dams of the Blackstone. DEM has replaced
NRCS in taking the lead role in this project.
McGinn reported that since July a committee has been meeting every two weeks to reactivate
the stalled fish ladder project. The committee has identified and addressed a number of
outstanding issues and set a goal of November 1 for the bid date with the intention of having
the winning bidder in place by March 1.
One of the problems identified is the fact that although Charles Rosenfield was the owner of
the Main Street, Pawtucket, dam, National Grid was the owner of the building at that site.
National Grid had sent a letter stating its concern about potential negative impacts on the
building and its desire to have in place a 3rd party engineer to ensure that there would be none.
Another problem was the fact that EA’s contract with NRCS expired with the engineering design
at only 95% of completion. No subsurface investigation had been done. This was a problem
because the foundation design must be a part of the bidding package. Jay McGinn reviewed the
options for dealing with this problem and indicated that the best solution would be for
BRWC/FOB to use some of the CRMC funds to pay for the completion of this study by EA.
McGinn then answered questions about available funds and about procedures that would be
followed in the execution of the project. A feasibility study of the Elizabeth Webbing dam by
the Army Corps of Engineers has begun; DEM has obtained a FERC preliminary permit which
precludes the installation of hydro at that dam by other parties for the next three years. Plans
for the Valley Falls dam will begin while the Elizabeth Webbing study is in progress.
At the end of the presentation motions were made to approve McGinn’s suggestions that
BRWC/FOB approve the use of $50,000 for the subsurface investigation and $10,000 to hire a
3rd party engineer to ensure that there will be no damage to National Grid’s building at the
Main Street dam. Both motions were approved.
Minutes – The July minutes were approved as presented.
Treasurer’s report – Total funds available: $228,789.13
Project fund reserves: $222,523
Available funds: $6,266
A vote to accept the report passed and the Treasurer then presented a tentative budget for
2012 to be discussed at future meetings. He stressed the need for the Council to do some fundraising in the near future.
Capital Appropriations – John Marsland reviewed the three-year DEM grant and stressed the
need to determine how BRWC/FOB is going to use the funds.
Sycamore Landing – The money to build the multiuse facility is now in place. Funds for solar
power, bath rooms and a meeting room, totaling $101,000, have been requested from the
Champlin Foundation. They have asked for an assurance that the Council would be able to
maintain the facility and requested a budget by October. All agreed that the Council can
demonstrate a history of fiscal stability albeit based on grants. Champlin also inquired about
the Council’s education component; New Dawn is a partner in that effort.
A request for $20,000 for signage has been sent to Joe Dias.
The builders estimate that the building will take 60 days from start to finish, once it is begun.
Meeting Street (unauthorized fill along the river) – Since requests for action on that problem
have had no results, a letter will be sent to DEM director, Janet Coit. Sandra will draft the letter.
Manville Landing – DOT plans to resume work there in September.
Stewardship/Blackstone Canal – two cleanups have been scheduled at the canal. Volunteer
sign-up sheets must be completed and handed in to the National Park Service.
BRC report – Peter Coffin reported on the visit by the Secretary of the Interior and other
dignitaries to the Blackstone Valley as part of the effort to create a Blackstone Valley National
Park. Secretary Salazar and the RI Congressional delegation support this project. (Sandra read a
letter of support for the project drafted on behalf of BRWC/FOB – it was approved
unanimously.)
The BVTC is making plans for the 3rd River Users’ Conference to be held on September 16.
BRC is planning a river summit to be held in Whitinsville, November 16, 3:00-8:30 p.m. The
issues to be focused on will be water quality, river access, recreation, and wildlife.
BVTC has corresponded with John Marsland re BRWC/FOB’s presentation at the Users’
Conference. Keith will develop a power point and if he is not able to attend, Peter Coffin will to
do the presentation using Keith’s power point.
TAG – Alice reported that the web page is now in place and that a press release to that effect
will be sent to the Valley Breeze.
Newsletter – Alice stated that the projected date of publication is September and asked the
Board of Directors to review the list of topics that she distributed.
Other announcements – Arthur Plitt reported on a permanent artistic installation, a Blackstone
River weaving, that will be mounted across the river in the vicinity of the Slater Mill as part of
the Pawtucket Art Festival. The artist is Don Gerola; there will be a video made of the process of
creating the installation.
The Duck Race will take place on October 16 this year. 200 tickets are available for the Council
to sell.
The recent spill in Woonsocket was briefly discussed.
NEXT MEETING: September 21.