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TO:
MEMBERS OF THE
MAINE WATER WELL COMMISSION
FROM:
Edward
Bowie, Chairman
date: APRIL 7, 2008
subject: Meeting Tuesday, APRIL 7, 2008
The next Commission
meeting will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2008 at
9:00 A.M., at the Maine Motor Transport,
AGENDA FOR APRIL MEETING
1. Approve the April 7, 2008 minutes
2. Discuss pending matters, complaints,
Responses,
application, etc.
3. New Business
4. Public Comments
Minutes of April 7, 2008 Meeting
|
Members Present: Ed Bowie, Chairman Dwight Doughty, DOT David Braley, DWP Ira Goodwin, Driller Donald Robbins, Public Memb Thomas Weddle, MGS Glenn Dyer, Driller |
Others
Present: Paul Gauvreau, AAG Carol Champagne,
Board Clerk Rodney Pratt,
Driller Patricia Pratt,
Driller |
Call to Order:
The
Meeting was called to order at 9:10 AM.
Approval of March 4, 2008 meeting minutes:
Don Robbins motioned
to accept the March 4, 2008 minutes and Glenn Dyer 2nd - the motion
passed.
Financial Report:
David is working on a report to update the Commission on its financial
position.
Update on Complaints:
David Perkins vs. Merl “Sam”
Dunham Inc:
Corrective action on
hold until 6/30/2008
Wells Unlimited – Crane Well:
Douglas Wright requested
an extension until April 30, 2008, to do the corrective action because of the
late spring weather conditions.
Accepted by the Commission.
Kate Tufts, DWP vs. Wells Unlimited:
Doug Wright appeal is scheduled for April 29, 2008,
at the DHHS building,
Ike Goodwin commented that he feels an important
consideration is the lack of response from Mr. Wright to the Commission’s
request for specific information from him when they were considering the
complaint. The Commission had
accepted Mr. Wright’s request for delay in considering the original
complaint several times. The Commission must make decisions based
largely on information provided by involved parties and made reasonable
attempts to get complete information regarding this investigation.
Ellen Paoletti vs Bickford Well Drilling:
The Commission had received a letter from Ms. Paoletti in response to the previous decision on her
complaint.
New Complaints:
Josh Worth vs Affordable Well Drilling Inc:
The problem is no water after multiple attempts of hydrofracing and the driller wanted to hydrofrac
again. Mr. Worth included, with his written complaint, a copy of the Proposal
from Affordable Well Drilling which indicated the work would be done for a
fixed price for a complete well and pump system with the well being drilled to
a maximum depth of 500 feet. The
proposal clearly stated that Affordable Well Drilling was not guaranteeing
water would be found. A request
will be sent to Affordable Well Drilling for additional information and their
response.
David Braley informed the Commission that in a
telephone conversation he had with Mr. Worth, that he was told Affordable Well
Drilling had installed a ½ hp pump down 400 feet deep in the well.
Ike Goodwin commented that the proposal Affordable
presented to Mr. Worth indicated that the well would be drilled to “any
necessary depth up to 500 feet, or state recommended single family residential
recovery rate”. He pointed
out that the only “state recommended single family residential recovery
rate” is that described in Rule 407.0, which is actually the
“Recommended Minimum Flow Rate”. He felt that if a driller was going to
reference that standard in their proposals or literature, that it should be
stated correctly, including the word “minimum”.
Mr. Gauvreau pointed out that under Chapter 3, Code
of Ethics, Rule 300.3.3 states “A well driller or pump installer shall
not engage in false or deceptive advertising, or make false misleading, or deceptive
representations claims in regard to the profession, or in regard to others in
the practice of the profession, which concerns his or her own professional
qualifications or abilities.”
It was decided that David Braley would write a
letter to Affordable Well Drilling, pointing out the omission of the word
“minimum” when they referenced the standard and to inform them to
include the complete phrase “recommended minimum flow rates” when
referencing the standard in the future.
Several Commissioners noted that if it is true that
a ½ hp pump was set down 400 feet deep, that it likely exceeded the
manufacturer’s recommendations for that pump. The Commissioners felt that a complete
inspection of the well and pump system was warranted to confirm that the pump
system was installed in accordance with the Rules.
Don Robbins made a motion to send Dean Getchell to
inspect the pump system inside the house and outside. Glenn Dyer 2nd the
motion. Passed
Anonymous complaint on Roger Hillock:
The Commission has received an anonymous written
complaint that Roger Hillock is purchasing pumps from Redlon
& Johnson and installing pump systems without a license. Roger Hillock is not licensed with the Maine Water
Well Commission to install pumps.
The Commission has a signed agreement from Mr.
Hillock not to install or repair pumps as of August 3, 2004, until a pump installer’s
exam has been taken and passed.
David Braley will send Mr. Hillock a letter
requesting information on pump installations by his company. A letter will also go to Redlon and
Johnson Company requesting confirmation if Mr. Hillock is purchasing pumps and
water system components from them, or not.
Specialty Well Applications:
None
Exams requested:
Richard N Lessard, F X Lyons Inc Intervale NH. Request to sit
for the Journeyman Pump Installer exam. Approved by the Commission.
Robert Dumoulin, F X Lyons Inc, Intervale NH. Request to sit for the Journeyman Pump Installer exam. Approved
by the Commission.
Daniel Gendron, F X Lyons Inc, Intervale NH. Request to
sit for the Journeyman Pump Installer exam. Approved by the Commission.
David McKinnon, F X Lyons Inc, Intervale NH. Request to sit
for the Journeyman Pump Installer exam.
Approved by the commission.
Gerald Ford, F X Lyons Inc, Intervale NH. Pre approved in 2006 to sit for the
Master Pump Installer exam.
Approved by the Commission.
Examinations
Passed in February 2008:
Tim
Williams, from Skillings & Sons, passed his Master
Well Driller Exam.
Scott Wilkins, from Skillings & Sons,
Passed his Master Well Driller and Master Pump Installer exams.
Larry
LeRoy,
passed his Master Pump Installers exam.
New
Business:
None
Meeting Dates for 2008
January 8, 2008 July 8, 2008
February 12, 2008 August 5, 2008
March 4, 2008 September
9, 2008
April 7, 2008 October 7, 2008
May 6, 2008 November 4, 2008
June 3, 2008 December
2, 2008
Subject to change.
Please note change in April Meeting
The next Well Drillers
Meeting will be: Tuesday May 6, 2008, at 9:00
Meeting
Adjourned 12:00 P.M.