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TO:
MEMBERS OF THE
MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION
FROM:
Edward
Bowie, Chairman
date: JANUARY 9,
2007
subject: Meeting Tuesday, JANUARY 9, 2007
The next Commission
meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at
9:00 A.M. at the Maine Motor Transport,
AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY MEETING
1. Approve the January 9, 2007 minutes
2. Discuss pending matters, complaints,
Responses,
application, etc.
3. New Business
4. Public Comments
Minutes of January 9, 2007 Meeting
|
Members Present: Ed Bowie, Chairman Glenn Dyer, Driller Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Ira Goodwin, Driller Marc Loiselle, MGS Donald Robbins, Public Memb |
Others Present: Carol Champagne,
Board Clerk Dean Getchell,
Inspector Barry Sanford,
Driller Douglas Wright,
Driller |
Call to Order:
Meeting
was called to order at 9:20 AM.
Approval of December
12, 2006 meeting minutes:
Don
Robbins made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 12, 2006 meeting with
changes and Glenn Dyer 2nd the motion. The proposed changes were:
The
minutes should note that the Kenneth and Lisa Veniot case was reconsidered per
the request of Kennebec Well Drilling who thought that additional information
needed to be presented. In the
Steven Crane case the minutes needed to reflect that a letter had been sent to
Mr. Crane concerning the liner materials used. Changes Approved.
Up Date on
Sheriff:
The contract with the sheriff department could be in
effect sometime in February. The
cost per investigation is expected to be $400 - $800 and more if the sheriff
needs to go to court. The sheriff
will take care of reports, pictures, and testifying if necessary.
Case on Wells
Unlimited:
Doug Wright explained that the material he used for
a liner in the Steven Crane well was Crest Line plastic pipe. The pipe is not marked NSF Approved for
drinking water use. The pipe
however is standard schedule 20 made of the same materials as the approved
schedule 40 pipe. Doug chose to use
the lighter because it was less costly.
The Commission found that the liner used in this well was not used as
casing.
Ike Goodwin made a motion that the Commission find
that the liner is standard PVC S&D and does not have a black liner
material, furthermore, find that the purpose of the liner was to prevent
problems with sediment and is not a type of casing, therefore, 401.1.3 plastic
casing does not apply and there is no violation. Donald Robbins 2nd
the motion passed.
Corrective Action: The well was not constructed as directed
by the Commission.
Ike Goodwin made a motion that the Commission find
that it’s not feasible to order the well to be reconstructed in
compliance with the Specialty Well Application approval. Also, find that
it’s not appropriate to order the well to be abandoned and a new one
drilled which would have to be much closer to the leach field. The Commission therefore orders that the
well be modified in an attempt to further reduce the risk of contamination. By modifying
the existing liner with scheduled 40 PVC pipe with double Jaswell type seals be
placed below the current casing seal and a single at the top of liner. Dean Getchell will be on site during the
work. Glenn Dyer 2nd the
motion passed.
David Braley gave the break down of the 14 total points;
the first 9 points receive no fine.
The potential is $750 fine.
The violations found were sections 204.5, 407.1, 400.5, 400.7.
After discussion, Marc Loiselle motioned to follow
the guidelines found in the point system adopted by the Commission in July which
calls for a $750 fine. Don Robbins
2nd, the motion passed, one member abstained from voting.
High Pines Well Drilling:
It is noted that High Pines Well Drilling’s
master driller is and has been for several months, Doug Wright.
Update on
Complaints:
Kenneth & Lisa Veniot vs
Dan Staples vs Knowlton Well Drilling: On hold until new
survey is presented to the Commission.
Marc Loiselle made a motion that the Commission will not accept all the
conclusions nor do we accept all the recommendations made in the request for reconsideration,
but the Commission will accept a new survey to help determine the location of
the partially completed well. The
Commission will consider a new Specialty Well Application if the survey shows conclusively
that the well is on the
Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling:
On hold pending appeal.
Charlie Andrews
vs Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling:
Dean Getchell gave his
report to the Commission. Mr.
Dunham corrected the problem by drilling and abandoning the previous 2 wells
before Dean inspected. Ike Goodwin
made a motion to have Dean make an effort to inspect the 2 abandoned wells to
verify that they were properly abandoned.
Glenn Dyer 2nd the motion passed.
Ike Goodwin made a
motion to send Mr. Dunham a letter stating that subsequently when complaints
are filed, no modification shall be done until approved by the Commission. Don
Robbins 2nd the motion passed.
New Complaints:
Galen Fishburn vs
Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling Inc: The well was drilled in 2004 therefore,
the 2 year limitation has past and the Commission has no jurisdiction.
Scott &
Jessica Pomerleau vs Woodsome Well Drilling: The Pomerleau’s were out of
water for 5 days with 3 small children.
The Commission was able to respond to the case quickly.
The well inspection by Dean Getchell found that the
casing seal was leaking. The bedrock
immediately under the base of the casing was fractured and chunks of bedrock
are mission leaving gaps. Woodsome
Well Drilling was on site, attempted to repair the well, but decided to abandon
this well and drill a replacement well, and to reimburse the expenses incurred
by the homeowner.
The urgency to inspect
this well was due to repair work to be performed by an alternate
contractor. The Commission wanted
an inspection before any repair work was started by others.
Ike Goodwin made a motion
to find Woodsome Well Drilling in violation of Rule 401.5 Casing extension into
bedrock: It shall be the responsibility
of the Water Well Contractor 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. Don Robbins 2nd the motion. Motion passed. Marc Loiselle made the motion that the
Commission find that Woodsome Well Drilling and Dan Woodsome the master driller
had each accumulated 5 points for the violation found. Don Robbins 2nd,
the motion passed.
Woodsome Well
Drilling Inc: A Commission
member observed that Woodsome Well Drilling employs 2 unlicensed well drillers.
Ike Goodwin made a motion
for the Commission to find that Woodsome Well Drilling, Inc. was in violation
of section 200.1 for employing 2 unlicensed well drillers, Jeremy Cook and Gary
Poole, to work on the drill rig.
Woodsome Well Drilling,
Inc. is in violation of Rule 200.1: Effective
January 1, 1994, a person may not engage in the business of constructing water
wells within the State or engage in the installation, repair or replacement of
a pump in a water well unless licensed with the Commission. All licensed well drilers and pump
installers must be in the charge of a licensed well drilling or pump
installation company.
Therefore, Woodsome
Well Drilling, Inc. will be assessed 5 points as required by the point system. Don Robbins 2nd, Ike’s
motion. The motion passed. A total of 10 points has been
accumulated to date. Don Robbins
motion to fine Woodsome Well Drilling $150 for the 10 points per the point
system. David 2nd, the motion
passed. One Refrained.
Don Fries vs Woodsome Well Drilling:
Dean Getchell presented
his report on the Don Fries well. Well
depth measured by tape with a weight to be 47 feetdeep with a soft bottom. A visual inspection of water flow at the
pump intake reveled water containing silts was coming up from the base of the
well. A very small amount of silt
was coming from above the pump intake.
No well screen was used.
Open end gravel well.
Ike Goodwin motion that
the well is open ended and silt is entering from the bottom. The violation is with Rule 403.6
Adequate quantity of water: Drilled or washed wells, constructed for
household use shall not be terminated in unconsolidated materials unless an
adequate quality of water free from fine soil particles can be withdrawn. Don Robbins 2nd, the motion
passed. Rule 403.6 is worth 5
points.
Corrective action: Ike Goodwin made a motion to order
Woodsome Well Drilling to repair or replace the well and Dean Getchell will
inspect the work on site.
Ike Goodwin moved to
access Woodwome Well Drilling, Inc. and Dan Woodsome each the 5 points required
under the point system and Woodsome Well Drilling, Inc. a fine of $800. The company has accumulated 15 points
with the first 9 having no fine, the next 4 at $150 and the 15th point at
$200. Marc Loiselle 2nd
the motion passed.
David Braley made a
motion that although points 6 through 10 were accumulated no monetary penalty would
be assessed to the individual’s license, Don Robbins 2nd, the
motion passed.
Ike Goodwin made a
motion to reconsider the Doug Wright penalties to clarify points. Ed Bowie 2nd,
the motion passed. The violations
resulted in 14 points against the company Well Unlimited, and against Doug
Wright. Don Robbins 2nd
the motion passed. Marc Loiselle
motion that there will be $750 in fines against Well Unlimited and no monetary
penalty against Doug Wright. Don Robbins 2nd the motion passed.
Barry Sanford had a
question on what can be done with back hoe operators, trailer companies all
installing pumps with no license?
The Commission needs to receive a written complaint. That is one of the reasons the
Commission is contracting with the retired sheriff’s association. We will
need a call with all information needed to notify the sheriffs.
Specialty Well Applications Approved for
December:
Paul
Jones – Stanley E Hillock Well Co:
83 feet from septic tank and 28 feet from leach
field.
Proposed well to have a minimum of 120 feet of 6
inch steel casing, installed inside a 10 inch diameter borehold, with the
annulus grouted. The grout shall be
placed with positive displacement from bottom of the annulus to the top of the
bedrock using the tremie method of placement. Dean Getchell must be on site during
grouting. Approved
Noble & Bertie Smith – Affordable Well
Drilling:
Proposed well to be located no closer then 50 feet
from the septic tank and 50 feet from the leachfield.
Proposed well to have a minimum of 100 feet of 6
inch steel casing or liner with Jaswell type seals.
Jeffrey
Beale – Yankee Water Systems Inc:
Proposed well 40 feet from the septic tank and 40 feet from the
leachfield. Approved with 120 feet
of 6 inch steel casing or liner with Jaswell type seals.
Examinations
Requested
Theodor
R McLeod III request to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller exam and the
Journeyman Pump Installer exam. Don
Robbins made a motion to accept the request and Marc Loiselle 2nd the motion. Approved.
Clifford
Doughty request to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller exam and the Journeyman
Pump Installer exam. Ike Goodwin made a motion to accept the request and
David Braley 2nd the motion. Approved.
James
Hair request to sit for the Journeyman Well Driller exam and the Journeyman
Pump Installer exam. Marc Loiselle
made a motion to accept the request and David Braley 2nd the
motion. Approved.
John
Bibber request to sit for the Master Pump Installer exam. More information needed.
Examinations
Passed:
Robert Temple, passed
the Master Well Driller exam, B & W Pump & Filter co, Bowdoin ME.
Ralph Ryder, passed
the Journeyman Well Driller exam, Goodwin Well & Water Inc., Turner ME.
Randy Pelletier, passed
the Journeyman Well Driller and the Journeyman Pump Installer Exams, Marquis Well Drilling, Frenchville ME.
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, February 6,
2007 at 9:00 am.
Meeting
Adjourned 1:10 pm