Documents: Minutes

 

BOSTON GROUNDWATER TRUST (BGwT)

BOARD MEETING

March 18, 2010

 

The Board of Trustees of the Boston Groundwater Trust held its meeting in the Patriot meeting room, which is located in the Lenox Hotel. The Executive Director posted a meeting notice at City Hall in accordance with provision of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law. Mr. Mitchell called the meeting to order at 4:09 pm. The following trustees were present, and the Chairman declared that there was a quorum:

Mr. Tim Mitchell, Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay

Mr. Gary Saunders, Boston Back Bay Association

Ms. Molly Sherden, Beacon Hill Civic Association

Mr. Peter Shilland, Ellis Neighborhood Association

Mr. William Moy, Chinatown Neighborhood Council

Ms. Nikko Mendoza, Mayor’s office

Also present:

Elliott Laffer, BGwT Executive Director; Christian Simonelli, BGwT Technical Coordinator; Anne M. Pistorio, North End Water Front Residents Association (NEWRA) Groundwater Working Group

 

  1. Adoption of the minutes of the January 21, 2010 Meeting

    2. Minutes were distributed to board members for review. Discussion followed.

    Ms. Sherden, Trustee, moved to adopt the minutes. Mr. Moy, Trustee, seconded the motion.

    Voted: To accept the minutes of the January 21, 2010 meeting.

     

  2. Financial Report

    3. Ms. Sherden reviewed the BGwT Financial Report and Reconciliation Detail. Discussion followed.

    Ms. Sherden noted that the BGwT has money divided into 3 CD’s at 24 months, 18 months, and 6 months as indicted under Note 1 of the report. Also, that the interest for each isposted to the financial report only when received at maturity Discussion followed.

     

  3. FY 2010 Well Installation

    4. Mr. Laffer reviewed Mr. Simonelli’s analysis of bids submitted for the Spring FY2010 17 Well Installation. Mr. Laffer noted that the major difference in the bid line items were the mobilization/demobilization of drill rigs and police detail hourly rates. Discussion followed. Mr. Laffer also noted that New Hampshire Boring, Inc. has a decided advantage in their owning of a vacuum truck, while Geo-Logic Earth-Exploration, Inc. would have incur the cost of renting one on a daily basis. Discussion followed.

    Mr. Moy, Trustee moved to approve entering into a contract with New Hampshire Boring. Ms. Sherden seconded the motion.

    Discussion followed.

    Voted: To award the 17 Well Installation contract to New Hampshire Boring, Inc.

     

  4. FY 2011 Preliminary Budget

    5. Mr. Laffer reviewed the proposed FY 2011 budget. Discussion followed. Mr. Laffer noted that the website line item for FY2010 is a little higher because it reflects 4 yrs. of invoicing.

    Mr. Mitchell, Trustee, noted the one time expenses line items regarding research project and well installation. Discussion followed. Mr. Saunders suggested the format be changed so that it is clear that the Trust’s expenditures including the one time items exceed its income, and that Mr. Laffer should consult BGwT accountant Raphael & Raphael on an appropriate format. Discussion followed.

    Mr. Laffer will send out a revised budget to the board members via email for review before the next board meeting.

     

  5. Research Project

    6. Mr. Laffer updated the board on the status of the research project with Tufts Professor Richard Vogel. Mr. Laffer noted that yesterday’s meeting at Tufts went very well and that the researches are very excited with the results so far. Discussion followed. Mr. Shilland also felt that the project was headed in the right direction and that he feels good about where it’s headed. Discussion followed.

     

  6. Executive Director’s Report

    7. BGwT Executive Director Mr. Elliott Laffer distributed his report. Discussion followed. Refer to the attached [linked here] Executive Director’s Report: March 18, 2010 for a complete list of all activities.

     

  7. Technical Coordinator’s Report

BGwT Technical Coordinator Mr. Christian Simonelli presented his activities since last meeting. Discussion followed. Refer to the attached [linked here] Technical Coordinator’s Well Monitoring Update BGwT Meeting: March 18, 2010 for a complete list of all activities.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.

NEXT MEETING: May 20, 2010 @ 4:00 pm at the Lenox Hotel.

Notes submitted by Christian Simonelli, BGwT Technical Coordinator, on 3/19/10.