TO:       MEMBERS OF THE MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION

 

FROM:     Edward Bowie, Chairman

 

date:     SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, 2007

 

subject:  Meeting Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

 

The next Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 9:00 A.M., at the Maine Motor Transport, Whitten Road, Augusta, ME. 

 

 

AGENDA FOR OCTOBER MEETING

 

1.  Approve the September 4, 2007 minutes

 

2.  Discuss pending matters, complaints,

Responses, application, etc.

 

3.  New Business

 

4.  Public Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAINE WATER WELL DRILLING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of September 4, 2007 Meeting

Members Present: Ed Bowie, Chairman Glenn Dyer, Driller Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Marc Loiselle, MGS Ira Goodwin, Driller

Others Present: Paul Gauvreau, AAG Carol Champagne, Board Clerk Dean Getchell, Inspector Rodney Pratt, Driller

Call to Order:

 

Meeting was called to order at 9:10 AM.

 

Approval of August 7, 2007 meeting minutes:

 

The Commission made a motion to approve the August 7, 2007 minutes with one correction reflecting two options in a Specialty Well Application approval.   Passed.

 

Up Date on Sheriffs:

 

On August 28^th the Commission received a call concerning a well drilling operation on Route 4 & Hallow Hill Rd in Turner ME.  Sheriff Blanchard drove to the area and spoke with John Rolfe of Livermore and was told he was helping his boss, Dick Dow, drill a hole for Oxford Network.  Mr. Blanchard waited for Richard Dow to return and spoke with him about the work being done for Oxford Network. The drilling was not for potable water.   

 

Sheriff Blanchard called and checked with Oxford Network and confirmed Mr. Dow and Mr. Rolfe’s position. He then called the Commission with his report within an hour.    

 

Update on Appeals:

 

Wells Unlimited - Doug Wright:  David Braley will send a letter to Mr. Wright reminding him of the corrective action included in the original order and affirmed by the Hearings Officer and the Commissioner of DHHS must be completed by 9/28/2007. Dean Getchell must be on site to inspect the corrective action as it’s completed.

 

Rachel Charette vs Kevin Levesque Well Drilling: Still on hold pending court appeal which is being handled by Paul Gauvreau, AAG.

 

Update on Complaints: 

 

Briggs & Sons Plumbing does have a licensed master plumber and may install and repair pump systems in water wells.  Paul Gauvreau spoke with Mr. Briggs and noted that driven point wells require a driller’s license.  The Commission debated having the Legislature exempting driven point wells from the Rules.

 

Ike Goodwin expressed his concern that driven point wells improperly installed represent a possible public health concern as they are terminated close to the surface.

 

Temple Well Drilling Inc is DBA Fred Perry and Daughters Well Drilling:

 

Scott Temple and Adelbert Temple III are the licensed well drillers for the company. The company has 2 rigs.

 

Don Fries vs Woodsome Well Drilling:  The water test did not include bacteria results because a chlorine residual was detected in the sample. A letter will be sent to Mr. Fries recommending a new water test to be taken as a precaution.  Closed

 

Cecil Fogg vs Bill Knowlton Well Drilling: Dean Getchell’s inspection video showed that the well casing, taken after the liner was removed, was not leaking.

 

Ike Goodwin made a motion that after the removal of the liner and seals no violation was found and the well was properly constructed. Glenn Dyer 2^nd the motion. Passed. 

 

Ike Goodwin made a motion to re-instate Mr. Knowlton’s well driller and company licenses.  Glenn Dyer 2^nd the motion. Passed

 

A letter will be sent to Mr. Fogg recommending water test be taken.

 

 

 

     Sandy Forde vs D & M Well Drilling Inc:  Hold  

    

Specialty Well Applications:

 

Joshua O Riggs – Lawrence S Lord & Sons Inc:

 

48 feet from leach field and 100 feet from septic tank.    

 

The Commission requested additional information concerning waste disposal on-site.  The only waste disposal system shown on the application was a gray water system. 

 

     Charlyn Twitchell - Delwin Philbrick Well Drilling Inc:

 

     54 feet from leach field and 30 feet from the tank.

 

     The Commission requested more information on the possibility of drilling closer to the lake.

 

Specialty Well Application approved in house:

 

     Norma J Goupil, Dexter – Merl “Sam” Dunham Well Drilling Inc: 

 

     60 feet from Septic Tank and 80 feet from the leach field.  Approved

 

     Proposed well to be located no closer then 60 feet from the septic tank and 80 feet from the leach field.

 

     Proposed well to have a minimum of 60 feet of 6 inch steel casing sealed into bedrock or as an alternative, a minimum of 20 feet of 6 inch steel casing shall be sealed into bedrock with a solid 4 inch liner installed with top and bottom Jaswell type steel core seals with bottom seal a minimum of 60 feet below grade and top seal up inside 6 inch steel well casing.  Bottom and top seals shall be water tight.

 

     Joseph R & Cora R Levasseur, Danforth – Lawrence LOord & Sons Inc:

 

     41 feet from septic tank and 60 feet from leach field.  Approved

 

     Proposed well to be located no closer then 41 feet from septic tank and 60 feet from the leach field.

Proposed well to have a minimum of 100 feet of 6 inch steel casing sealed into bedrock or as an alternative, a minimum of 20 feet of 6 inch steel casing shall be sealed into bedrock with a solid 4 inch liner installed with top and bottom Jaswell type steel core seals with bottom seal a minimum of 100 feet below grade and top seal up inside 6 inch steel well casing.  Bottom and top seals shall be water tight.

 

New Complaints:

 

Gary Lafrenlere vs Pine State Drilling Inc:  Problem is Sludge in pipes and water freezes at the well.

 

Water test show Manganese and Iron at elevated levels.  Mr. Sanford said the frost raised the casing and he pounded the casing down and disinfected the well.

 

The Commission will send Dean Getchell to inspect the well.

 

Exams requested:

 

     None

 

Examinations Passed in August:  None

 

 

New Business

 

     David Braley received a report from DEP that he will check into and report to the Commission.

 

     Glenn Dyer had a question on an emergency law passed by the Legislature.  The law is a one time approval for a Master Well Driller exam.

 

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 11, 2007

 

Subject to change.

                       

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  The next Well Drillers Meeting will be:  Tuesday October 2, 2007, at 9:00 Maine Motor Transport on the Whitten Road in Augusta.

 

 

It was also decided to move the December meeting back a week to Tuesday December 11^t, 2007, to accommodate the annual NGWA meeting.  It will be at the Maine Motor Transport on the Whitten Road in Augusta.

 

Meeting Adjourned 11:50 A.M.