Water Update: Friday, 12/30, 8PM

The hard work has started to pay off. We very slightly outproduced the leaks and normal demand in the last 24 hours. Tonight’s data does not include, for the full 24 hours, any repairs for today, and we know of at least one significant one. We’re still not in good shape, but we’re attempting to run all night to generate pressure cycle data for our data logging device to compare with previous known cycles, then check tomorrow night’s readings to see how much success we’ve had.

We still may have setbacks, and we still may need to shut down the system overnight to recharge if we get too low. Water delivery to keep us running will be very hard to get due to the holiday, so we may need to do it with wells alone.

Please note: Repaired areas in homes may be fixed with regards to plumbing, but with regards to patching open areas, insulation and home skirting, there is MUCH left to be redone. Don’t let the plumbing expense go to waste by allowing it to freeze again due to exposure!

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: Friday, Dec 30, 9:30AM

We’ve fully repressurized the system. We’ll run until we’re at critical water levels in the storage tank and then we shut down until it recharges. There’s not much else we can do until all the major breaks are discovered and fixes to toilets are applied.

As of last night, we’re still using nearly twice what we normally do (normal is 12k gallons/day). The issues are, almost certainly, remaining undetected breaks (wastes up to 6k gallons a day) in home pipes from the storm freeze and power cut. We also need you to check your toilets. A leaking toilet flapper can cause the loss of up to 1k gallons a day. Worse, that water doesn’t fall on the ground, it floods our septic system.

Our usage has been creeping up in the last few months (was 9-11k, now 11k to 13k) with a few large spikes (15k-16k) that settle back down a day later. This is an anomoly for us. Leaks don’t heal themselves, so this may be defective toilets. We’re probably a couple good leaks and a few toilets away from back to normal. Fixing a flapper is quick, easy and cheap. Please have a look and listen for these as well.

We’ve had very good interactions with the state thus far, and we appreciate their assistance. They understand that this is an ‘end user’ problem, not a system failure per se.

We’re considering an update that covers all of this in the form of a handout we can deliver to homes. We are aware some people are unable to access this site or receive email.

Thanks,
SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: Thursday, 7:30PM

We’re going to shut down tonight from 10PM to 8AM.

The storage tank needs to refill and, as we knew would happen, the wells are starting to produce a bit less due to constant use. We can’t sustain spending $1,000 a day on water delivery to keep it up all night when nearly all the delivered water will be lost by breaks that nobody will find during the night.

Weather will be excellent tomorrow. We need to find another 2-3 good leaks to get us back to normal operation. PLEASE check your property, look at your neighbor(s) and even come searching with us tomorrow. After tomorrow we’re expecting a couple days of rain, strongly reducing our chances of finding leaks.

We’ve been at this for a week now, and our volunteers are exhausted. The breaks are in or under a few more homes. Let’s end this as soon as we can.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: 9PM, 12/28 Staying Up

It looks like we’ve isolated enough issues to hold through the night. Temps are in the mid 30s right now, but will fall below freezing shortly. Tomorrow will be warmer and tomorrow night will be above freezing all night. We expect more large leaks as things thaw out. We’re not out of the woods by a long shot, but we’ve turned a corner.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update, Noon, 12/28

We repressurized the system this morning about 8AM. We had a delivery from Fresh Water Haulers (great people to work with) of about 4,600 gallons. We’re trying for another this afternoon. We’re still consuming more than we produce, so we’ll likely need to shut down in the evenings for a while. We’ll need to shut down earlier (was nearly midnight last evening), perhaps 9PM. Our historical data shows the evening usage really trails off after 8:30PM. We can’t satisfy everyone’s needs. We know people get home from work late. The best we can do is cover the most valuable time we can. The best thing we can all do is to FIND THESE LEAKS. The emergency situation will not end until we’re back to our normal levels of consumption, not three times what it should be. Keep checking, even if you think you’re in good shape. We’ve had multiple new leaks appear at locations they thought were in good shape.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: 11:30PM, not yet, but progress

Based on consumption from 10PM to 11PM and the current level of the tank, we’re still losing ground. We’ve turned off the valve sending water into the system. If we did not, the pumps would be in danger of damage and there’s simply not enough for the morning rush. We were able to operate for 12 hours today. Many people were able to catch up a bit today which accounted for a good bit of the consumption.

We have a water delivery scheduled for 8AM and perhaps a second one later. This will put us ahead for a bit, but we still need to find more breaks. We need all the eyes we can get.

Good night.

SGCC Board and Operations Volunteers

Water update: 5PM, fingers crossed

We’ve been running since 11AM this morning. At last check we were not out of the woods, but we’re getting there. We’ll take some additional consumption numbers here in a bit. Based on what we find, we may need to shut down again, but we’re cautiously optimistic. If people keep their usage reasonable to low, we might have hot water for the morning.

We have reports of homes still frozen, and those are the breaks “yet to come”, so we could quickly fall backwards. We have word that water delivery may be possible tomorrow morning. It would be best to rely on the wells, but we may need the boost to keep going until all storm related breaks are dealt with.

PLEASE CONSERVE!

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: Noon, 12/27

We capped another leak this morning and began pressurizing the system at about 11AM. A single pump is holding pressure at 52psi into the lines running constantly. That’s better than yesterday. Our system pushes in cycles from 40-60psi. If the system never reaches 60psi, the pump never shuts off and never alternates to the second pump which extends the life of the pumps. We started pressurizing when the storage tank hit 8.0 feet (max), we shut down last night when it was nearing our danger level. Our wells can deliver us about 0.4′ per hour under maximum load (not good to sustain). All that said, the situation is still too dynamic (toilets filling, people purging lines of discoloration, etc.) to predict how long this can hold out. The real purpose of starting up this early is to give some time for additional leak detection.

We need everyone to check and keep checking. As pipes unfreeze, water can then reach the splits. Even if you haven’t seen a leak thus far, a new one can emerge. Check your home, look around at your neighbor(s) as well for signs of flowing water or ice buildup. As the temperature increases over the next week, it will be harder to find leaks.

We REALLY want to keep the system up so we can all have a shower, wash some clothes and clean up dishes. The volunteers all live here as well, and we’re very motivated to get this under control. Worst case scenario (at least for the system), we have to shut down again when the storage tank is empty, but as things are fixed or at least shut off, the length of time we can run increases. When we get to a constant running state, we’re still not out of the woods yet. The system can’t be stressed to the max constantly. We have to get all these leaks detected and dealt with or the infrastructure will buckle under the load.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: 4:30PM, Will be shutting down tonight.

After all the fixes so far and a few new ones during the day while we pressurized, the boosters still can’t gain on pressure or reach a shutoff point where the system alternates to the other pump to relieve it. There’s still too much demand due to leaks. We gained ground today, but we’ve seen some very bad damage to homes. When the system reaches our minimum, we’ll be turning off the valve for the night. We’ll keep it going until it starts to risk the pumps. It will recharge some overnight and we may try again tomorrow for detection purposes. Our efforts at having a water delivery to give us more runtime to help people catch up were unsuccessful. We’re not the only ones in trouble.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water Update: Noon, 12/26

Our storage tank is about half full and the pressure tank is primed and ready. Things turned out well with our booster pumps (the pumps that provide the pressure), so that’s good news. We’d like to start the system back up today at some point. Finding the best time is the difficult part. The longer we wait, the more reserve we have and the longer it will last. There have been more breaks identified and hopefully contained. The more we find the longer we can keep the system up, but we may not be able to sustain if the demand is greater than supply. Remember, we’re not a town or city, just a collection of homes running off of two wells. The infrastructure is running within normal(ish) parameters, it’s the damage caused by freezing and breaking pipes that’s pushing it beyond its limits.

We’ve delivered a Boil Water notice as required by the state. Once we have the system back to sustainable levels, we’ll have samples taken and checked for contamination. When we have the all clear, we’ll notify that the boil notice has been lifted.

Please remember, we’re all volunteers and neighbors.

SGCC Board and Operations

Water update, 8PM: Empty…

The system has been turned off for the evening, at least. We’re empty.

Our wells, running 24/7 and staying within our required blending ratio provided us 20,470 gallons. Unfortunately, our normal consumption plus all the breaks from frozen pipes caused the system to deliver over 36,000 gallons. We simply ran dry. Hopefully not to the detriment of our booster pumps.

We’ve found/fixed/mitigated about 4 breaks that we know of today. With a single break being able to dump 6k gallons in a day, only a handful can bring down the entire system. As pipes thaw out, this is likely to continue for some time, especially without help. Please walk around your homes and look for ice slicks or wet areas. It’s very hard to miss thousands of gallons unless you don’t look. Listen carefully as well. When the system is next pressurized, you may be able to hear spraying water.

This isn’t anyone’s fault. No power and a fast, hard freeze is a natural disaster for us. We’ll have some people out looking tomorrow, so please don’t be offended. This is an operations emergency and we need all the help we can get.

SGCC Board and Operations Volunteers

Post Storm Update (December 25th), Water Emergency

We restarted the water system yesterday (Saturday 24th, Christmas Eve) evening about 5PM. As usual, when the system is depressurized, we’re automatically under a boil water notice. This is a state regulation we need to comply with. We know it’s inconvenient, but that’s the rule. The earliest we can have samples taken for testing will be tomorrow (Monday the 26th) and results take a day or two depending on if the lab is open.

With the extended power cut, sharp drop in temperatures and high winds, we knew there would be multiple frozen pipe issues throughout the community. The ground is not yet frozen to any significant depth, so we don’t anticipate any deep breaks in service lines. Our problems will likely be from home pipes and services. Without working heating cables, even the supply to the home can be frozen.

At noon today, we checked the usage since 6PM last night. We’re on track for pushing out nearly 30,000 gallons of water into the system by 6PM tonight. For some context, under our best conditions we distribute 9k-13k a day. Lately we’ve been seeing 11k-13k with spikes of 15-16k (an anomoly we don’t understand as leaks don’t heal themselves). Our system is fed by two wells, one of which we can only take about 4k gallons a day from due to radionuclide contamination. We can reliably get about 16k gallons a day from them without stressing them too much. Beyond that, we’re depleting our storage tank (25k gallons) instead of keeping it filled.

Bottom line: If the leaks from homes are not identifed and stopped, we could be out of water in a couple days.

Even a single half inch line break can dump nearly 6k gallons of water a day. If you have a break and dump that much water on the ground, you WILL see it. We need everyone to walk the perimeter of their home looking for any outflows of water. We always ask this of you during water emergencies, and with snow on the ground, it’s very easy to tell who has and who has not completed these checks. Fortunately, we have identified two leaks so far today. We estimate 3-4 leaks are happening based on consumption. As pipes thaw out, there will be more. Be prepared for the system to shut down again. If it does (because we ran out of water), the boil notice will reset and we’ll continue until we return to something sustainable.

Ears and eyes folks. This isn’t over yet.

Thanks,
SGCC Board and Operations Volunteers

Monthly SGCC Inc Board Meeting

ST George Community Co-op Inc

Board Meeting Agenda

October 17 , 2022  Time:  6:00pm

Location:  Little Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Management
    • Finance – Treasurer Report
    • Membership 
    • Rules Enforcement
    • Operations
    • CDI –
  • Old Business
    • Septic line replacement 7937 RTE 2A – Table until spring?
    • 553 Hemlock  Exploratory Dig – Table until spring?
    • Re-bury / winterize water line running under the brook
    • Change in Board Emails-
    • Paving Project –  Completed 10/16/22?
    • ANR – Grant for 3 Acre rules – Decision now in October  2022
    • 612 Hemlock – Electrical still pending – requote 
    • Two Homes on New Mound System, septic lines at wrong elevation.  Expected work date 10/18 or 10/19/22
  • New Business
    •  Add budget line for Excavating
    •  Welcome Packet and contents for new members
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjourn Meeting

Monthly SGCC Board Meeting

ST George Community Co-op Inc

Board Meeting Agenda

September 19 , 2022  Time:  6:00pm

Location:  Little Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Management
    • Finance – Treasurer Report
      • Where to allocate $7,000 that was escrowed in error – operating budget or reserves.
    • Membership 
    • Rules Enforcement
    • Operations
    • CDI – Allow 20 Minutes

* Review the ‘big 3’ board policies (board ethics, procurement, and conflict of interest)

* Recap key relationships and obligations of the co-op

* Recap the roles of CDI and property management

* Have the board ID top goals for the coming year

  • Old Business
    • Septic line replacement 7937 RTE 2A
    • 553 Hemlock  Exploratory Dig
    • Re-bury / winterize water line running under the brook
    • Speed Bumps- Warning Signs  – Notice of Install and installation
    • Change in Board Emails- Expected time Frame to have it completed?
    • Paving Project –  Pillsbury – by next Friday
    • ANR – Grant for 3 Acre rules – Decision now in October  2022
    • 612 Hemlock – Electrical
    • Two Homes on New Mound System, septic lines at wrong elevation, will back up eventually – Quote provided
    • 287 Hemlock – Asking about ditching in the back
  • New Business
    •  Outdoor Cat Population
    • Initiate conversation about Emergency Preparedness
    • Initiate conversation about Welcome Packet and contents for new members
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjourn Meeting

August 2022 Monthly Board Agenda

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

ST George Community Co-op Inc

Board Meeting Agenda

August 15 , 2022  Time:  6:00pm

Location:  Little Red School House, Barber Road

Meeting is Open to Members

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Management
    • Finance – Treasurer Report
    • Membership 
    • Rules Enforcement
    • Operations
    • CDI
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic – Update – Expected Date of Completion?
    • Culvert 7937 / 7945 RTE 2A
    • Septic line replacement 7937 RTE 2A
    • 553 Hemlock  Exploratory Dig
    • Electric Quick Connect at 25 Birch
    • Re-bury / winterize water line running under the brook
    • Speed Bumps- Warning Signs  – Notice of Install and installation
      • Add Speed Bumps near 274 / 287 Hemlock?
    • Change in Board Emails- Expected time Frame to have it completed?
  • New Business
    • Paving Project –  Working with Todd PIllsbury -quote
    • ANR – Grant for 3 Acre rules – Update 
    •  Discuss  State of Lawns and vehicles parking on lawns unregistered vehicles
    • 123 Birch – Absentee owner, no updates on occupancy
    • 612 Hemlock – Electrical
    • Final Details – rundown for Membership Meeting
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjourn Meeting

Boil Water Notice Lifted

The notice to boil water due to depressurization of the system for installation of the new pressure pumps has been lifted. Test samples for bacterial contamination showed none.

Thank you once again for your patients and understanding as we work to improve our aging infrastructure. Over the past year, we have replaced all well and booster pumps in our system.

Thanks,
Operations

Water Shut Off Notice

Dear Residents,

The water system is scheduled to be shut off (depressurized) at approximately 9:00am on Friday 7/22 until sometime in the afternoon for the installation of new booster pumps. This involves draining the main storage tank. Depressurizing the system always involves a boil water notice being posted. Testing samples will be taken on Monday, and we should have testing results midweek.

All though this is a inconvenience, it will improve the reliability of the system going into winter when repairs like this are extremely difficult and your patience and understanding are appreciated. Our system has been running with only one of two booster pumps for some time now due to a national level lack of replacement pumps. With two new pumps installed, we will once again be able to handle a single failure.

Thank You,

Operations

Monthly Board Meeting Agenda (July)

ST George Community Cooperative Inc

July 18, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Litte Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Management
    • Finance – Treasurer Report
    • Membership 
    • Rules Enforcement
    • Operations
    • CDI
  • Old Business
    • Planning Grant -Update TCE Contract
    • Northwest Septic – Update
    • Well Booster Pumps – Update
    • Culvert 7937 / 7945 RTE 2A
    • Drainage 528 Hemlock 
    • Electric Quick Connect at 25 Birch
    • Speed Bumps- Warning Signs
      • Add Speed Bumps near 274 / 287 Hemlock?
    • Change in Board Emails
  • New Business
    • Vote on Budget
    • Add Amendment to Purchasing Policy
    • Continue work for Annual Membership meeting
    • Recommendations for document changes
    • Paving Project – Alternative Options 
    • ANR – Grant for 3 Acre rules – Application in process. 
    • Suggestions for President’s report for Membership Meeting. 
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjourn Meeting

Monthly Board Meeting (June)

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
ST George Community Co-op Inc
Board Meeting Agenda
June 20, 2022 Time: 6:00pm
Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road
● Call to Order
● Approval of the Agenda
● Approval of the minutes
● Reports
o Property Management
o Finance – Treasurer Report
o Membership – Intent to Sell
o Rules Enforcement
o Operations
o CDI
● Old Business
o Planning Grant -Update
o Northwest Septic – Update
o Well Booster Pumps
o Culvert 7937 / 7945 RTE 2A
o Drainage 528 Hemlock
o Electric Quick Connect at 25 Birch
o Speed Bumps- Warning Signs
▪ Add Speed Bumps near 274 / 287 Hemlock?
o Change in Board Emails
● New Business
o Quotes for Budget –
o Paving Project
o ANR – Grant for 3 Acre rules
o Leak Decter Survey
o Suggestions for President’s report for meeting.
● Open Forum
● Executive Session
● Adjourn Meeting

Monthly Board Meeting (April)

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING 

Board Meeting Agenda 

April 18, 2022 Time: 6 PM to 8 PM 

Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road 

● Call to Order 

● Approval of the Agenda 

● Approval of the Minutes 

● Reports 

○ Property Management 

○ Finance – Treasurer Report 

○ Membership 

  • Intent to Sell – 

○ Rules 

○ Operations 

○ CDI 

  • Yearly Compliance Calendar

● Old Business 

○ Planning Grant – Update

○ Northwest Septic – Update

○ Well Booster Pumps

○ Culvert 7937 / 7945 RTE 2A

  ○ Drainage Hemlock -528 Hemlock Plans

  • Elisa Beatty – Concerns to be presented to Board

○ Septic line/tank repair 7937 RTE 2A

○ Electric Quick Connect   25 Birch

○ Speed Bumps – Warning Signs

 ● New Business

  • Board Emails
  • CDI / ROC Survey
  • News Letter

● Open Forum  – 

● Executive Session 

● Adjourn Meeting.

Hello St. George Residents,

Please note a Property Walk will be occurring Thursday-Friday of this week.

In preparation we ask that you please be sure to address the following items from the community rules:

  • Lot is clean- free of trash, used furniture, appliances, tires, dog feces, etc. 
  • The homes- skirting, steps, decks in place in safe and good condition.   
  • No unregistered vehicles.  No vehicles parked on lawns.   No boats, campers, trailers parked on lawns.  

Please also note that only brush, tree limbs, un-painted, non-varnished, and non-pressure treated wood can go to the burn pile.  There is a section off the tree line for yard debris such as leaves and grass clippings.  Anything else is not acceptable.  No tires, building debris, appliances, mattresses,  metal or furniture etc.  Anyone caught doing so will be reported for illegal dumping. 

Thank you,


PO BOX 1201

Williston, VT 05495

Monthly Board Meeting (March)

St George Community Co-op Inc

Board Meeting Agenda

March 21, 2022 Time: 6LPM to 8 PM

Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road

● Call to Order 

● Approval of the Minutes 

● Reports 

○ Property Management 

○ Finance – Treasurer Report 

○ Membership 

○ Rules 

○ Operations 

○ CDI 

  • Roc 101 Basics of Running A Roc
  • Rules Committee Training
  • Yearly Compliance Calendar

● Old Business 

○ Northwest Septic – Update

  • Vote On Payment / Draw Down of Funds
  •  Road Repairs

○ Update / Next Steps Planning Grant 

  •  Vote on Contract with Trudell

○ Well Booster Pumps

○ Water Leak 553 Hemlock

○ Drainage Hemlock 

● New Business

○ Composting

         ○ Dumpster Days

  ○ Culvert 7937 / 7945 RTE 2A

● Open Forum 

● Adjourn Meeting.

● Executive Session 

SGCC INC MONTLY BOARD MEETING AGENDA 02/21/22

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
ST George Community Co-op Inc ,
Board Meeting Agenda
February 21, 2022 Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road
● Call to Order
● Approval of the Agenda
● Approval of the Minutes
● Reports
○ Property Management
○ Finance – Treasurer Report
○ Membership
○ Rules
○ Operations
● Old Business
○ Northwest Septic
○ Update / Next Steps Planning Grant
● New Business
○ State Recertification of Wells- Blending Ratio Change
○ Sell 992’ of 1” pex pipe?
○ Consider Storage Unit Near Mound System
○ Using Email as Method to Post Meeting Agendas
● Open Forum
● Executive Session
● Adjourn Meeting.

Wednesday Morning, Jan 26th Update

After a bit more system downtime and a leak repair, we started gaining a bit in the out vs. in war. We’ve also been reconnected to our old well line and discontinued using the temporary above ground pipe. This morning we found a good sized ice flow in the road on the southern end of Hemlock. Pillsbury Excavating is on site now repairing that leak. Once complete, we’ll check the usage tonight and have a solid number by tomorrow night. If we’re in significantly better shape, we’ll have samples tested and hopefully lift the boil water notice once cleared.

We still anticipate, based on consumption, an additional one or two leaks. We’ve found some minor leaks (typically drips due to small splits forming ice on connections and valves), but not any significant enough to affect our overall demand. Heating cable/tape is critical to protecting the last foot or two of supply line and all of your connection line to the system. These heating elements should be replaced every 5 years, though often work well for 10. We’ve found 20 year old cable/tapes out there causing issues, and that’s a big part of the system failures this year. We discussed several ideas at Monday’s board meeting regarding standardizing, certifying, maintenance requirements and demarcation issues. We certainly don’t want a repeat of this winter on a yearly basis, so expect budget proposals to help address these issues.

Sunday, Jan 23, 11PM

We’ve reached as close to bottom as we’re comfortable allowing. We’ve had to shut the system down again to recharge. A good sized leak was identified today and will be repaired tomorrow. We need all the help we can get finding the remaining issues.

— SGC Board and Operations Volunteers

Sunday, January 23rd Update

We were able to locate one leak on RTE 2A side. As the curb stop isn’t functional, we have to shut the water off to the entire community so we can make the repair. The water level is dangerously low in the storage tank. It is quite possible that the decision will be made to leave the water off for the night to allow the storage tanks to refill. We have no other option. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO FIND THE LEAKS!!!! Please look behind the skirting and walk around your home. Please listen for water sounds. Please notify Property Management 802-860-3315 or a Board Member if you discover a broken pipe under your home or water coming from the ground.

Saturday evening, Jan 22nd update

Though we’ve had some success with finding the break in the supply line from our #2 well and will be restarting it on Tuesday, our water break situation has continued to worsen. We’re currently pushing out 21.5k gallons and only generating 19.1k. Our normal operations have us using about 11.5k a day, so we’re nearly at DOUBLE what we call normal.

Without immediate help finding the leaks by checking the perimiters and curb stops of all homes, we’ll be once again out of water in less than 48 hours. Driving around we see many homes with no footprints around them at all, so no effort made to check.

Tuesday, afternoon update.

We’ve turned the system back on as of 12:30PM. We also installed a new radar based storage tank monitoring system, so we finally have good eyes on our situation.

The water quality is quite nasty at first. Let your cold water run long enough to get it mostly clear, then hold off a little bit before using more.

We’ll begin monitoring to determine our status and find out where we stand with regards to input vs. output. We’re a good way from out of the woods yet, but things are improving.

Remember:

  • We are under a boil water notice!
  • There will be quality issues for a bit, but only run enough cold water to clear things to a reasonable level.
  • Check your home’s perimeter and underside for leaks. We must stop the excess water loss.

Thanks,
SGC Board and Ops Volunteers

Tuesday morning update. We’re going back online this evening.

Thanks to heroic efforts by Rob, Jack, Paul and crew from Vermont Well and Pump company, Todd, Tyler and crew from Pillsubury Excavating and Champlin Associates, we’ll be restoring pressure this evening.

Once we restore pressure, we need to keep it running at all times. One thousand feet of temporary line has been installed from our #2 pump on the ridge line across 2A all the way into the pump house, and we’ve been refilling the storage tank all night. By this evening we’ll have capacity and measuring capability to restart the system. We restarted last night to take measurements of how much water it takes to prime the pipes and test per pressure cycle usage. We had to shut it back down due to lack of capacity in the storage tank, but at least it let the toilets fill.

Once we have restored water flow, we must continue to FIND AND FIX LEAKS as soon as possible. We need YOU to check under your homes. Get a good flashlight, pull some skirting and look for ice and or standing water. With more below zero weather on the way for the end of the week, there may be more issues. If we can’t bring our consumption back down (currently nearly double our normal usage) we’ll be empty again in no time at all. When pressure is restored, you WILL experience issues with some discolored water for a bit. This can’t be helped and it should clear relatively quickly. Only let your cold water run long enough to get decent quality and no more.

As usual, any depressurization of the system forces us to post BOIL WATER notices and follow up with bacterial testing. Until we can be reasonably sure that we won’t be starting and stopping the system, there’s no point in even trying to lift the required order, so stay tuned on that part but expect to be under that notification for a week or two. We’re (almost) all owners here, so we are the utility company. Help do your part by finding these line breaks and leaks.

Thanks,

SGC Coop Board and Ops Volunteers.

No water and it’s not good.

Here’s the shortest version I can give you:

We likely have multiple leaks due to cold weather breaks. At the same time, we lost flow from one of our two wells. One well simply can’t provide enough water under the strain of multiple breaks. In the middle of diagnosing these issues and repairing at least one break found by a resident, our storage tank ran dry, so we shut down the system. Our remaining well should have the tank refilled in 48 hours. I would not expect any water before then, and likely for only 1-1.5 days.

We’re working on a plan to restore flow from the down well (likely due to an issue in the line, not the pump) which may get us back into a sustainable pattern. Once we have pressure again, whether by time, more wells or hauling water, we’ll fire things back up.

In the mean time, we still need to find leaks. If there has been a significant leak at your home, you’ll see ice on the underside or flowing out in to the yards. PLEASE, check for signs of leaks so we can get back to normal as soon as possible. We’re not going to be able to restore normal operation without your assistance. If you find something, say something. Call property management’s line at 860-3315 and let us know.

Thanks,

Ops volunteers and SGC Board.

Water, water everywhere…

After a successful repair on Tuesday, the physics gremlins are at it again, this time just to the left of the top of Chestnut along Hemlock. This one will be worked on this afternoon at about 1PM, and may require shutting down the system again for a bit. We’re already under a boil notice, so no extra to be done there.

Due to the holiday, the state labs won’t be accepting samples, so the next one will be taken on Monday with results expected Tuesday.

Special thanks to Todd, Tyler and the crew from Pillsbury Excavating for taking such good care of us. We really appreciate it!

December 20, 2021 Board Meeting Agenda

ST George Community Co-op Inc.
Board Meeting Agenda
December 20,  2021 Time:   6 PM to 8 PM
Location:  Little Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership 
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
  • New Business
    • Street LIght Upgrades
    • Install New Street LIght
    • Remove unused meter 287 Hemlock
  • Open Forum
    • Libraries Without Borders
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

The meeting will be held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town office.

Thank you, 
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (November 2021)

ST George Community Co-op Inc.
Board Meeting Agenda
November 15, 2021 Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • Drainage at 544 Hemlock
      • Champlin Associates – Booster Pump Repair
      • Kirk – New Water Operator walk through
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
  • New Business
    • Electrical work Update
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

The meeting will be held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town office.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (October)

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

ST George Community Co-op Inc
Board Meeting Agenda

October 18, 2021 Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Location: Little Red School House, Barber Road

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • VCIL – 94 Birch Road, Ramp Installation
      • Booster Pump
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
  • New Business
    • Electrical work Update
    • Potable system compliance items, flushing Update
    • RTE 2A Leach Field Control Quote J & A Pump
  • Open Forum
    • Resident Concern – Stop sign – Kat Guyette
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

The meeting will be held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town
office.
Thank you,

SGCC Board of Directors

Special Board Meeting

St. George Community Co-op
Board Meeting Agenda
August 30th, 2021 at 6PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Budget
  • Adjournment

This meeting will be held online due to illness. Please see the community bulletin board for access information.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (August)

Monthly Board Meeting
St. George Community Co-op
Board Meeting Agenda
August 9th, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • Water Storage Work
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
    • Budget and Membership Meeting
    • Coop Reclassification
  • New Business
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

The meeting will be once again held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town office.
Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (July)

St. George Community Co-op Board Meeting Agenda
June 19th, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • Water Storage Work
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
    • Budget and Membership Meeting
  • New Business
    • Coop Reclassification
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

The meeting will be held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town office.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Water System Update

It has been a long day, so I’ll keep this update brief:

Our main storage tank has been cleaned and our well side plumbing has been rebuilt. We activated the wells at 9PM and then began pressurizing the system.  By about 9:45PM we had reached our normal maximum pressure and the booster pumps successfully shut down.  Our 24 hour cut officially lasted a bit over 12 hours, and we kept pressure up as long as we could this morning.

  • As noted in the mailing, we’re under a boil water notice until cleared by the state labs. 
  • The testing sample will not be taken until Monday.  It will take about 2 days for results, so we  expect the order to be lifted on or after Wednesday.
  • We refilled the storage tank partially (9k out of 25k) using water trucked in from Burlington’s water system.  That system has quite high chlorination compared to ours.  We usually run about 0.8ppm which is 4 times the minimum.  This batch from Burlington was tested at 2.8ppm which is a bit more than 3x what we normally run at.  Most people will smell the odor of chlorine at about 2.0ppm, so expect a bit of odor while this tank mixes with our well water.
  • We intend on doing a water system flush some time after the sample is taken on Monday.

Thanks for your patience,

-Ops

Monthly Board Meeting (June)

Monthly Board Meeting
St. George Community Co-op
Board Meeting Agenda
June 21st, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • Water Storage Work
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
    • Grant Approved
    • Project Manager Vote
  • New Business
    • Multipart mailing
    • Expanding roles
    • Budget and Membership Meeting
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

With the end of the state of emergency as of midnight 6/15, the meeting will be once again held at the little red schoolhouse across from the town office.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (May)

Monthly Board Meeting
St. George Community Co-op
Board Meeting Agenda
May 17th, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
      • Annual Inspection
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
      • Mid/Late June Water Storage Work
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
      • Grant Approved
  • New Business
  • Project Manager
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

To join via phone, please see the community bulletin board near the mailboxes for contact information.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Monthly Board Meeting (April)

Monthly Board Meeting

St. George Community Co-op
Board Meeting Agenda
April 19th, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM

  • Call to Order
  • Approval of the Agenda
  • Approval of the Minutes
  • Reports
    • Property Manager
    • Finance
    • Membership
    • Rules
    • CDI
    • Operations
  • Old Business
    • Northwest Septic Project
  • New Business
  • Open Forum
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

To join via phone:
Please see the community bulletin board for details.

Thank you,
SGCC Board of Directors

Spring Inspection List

With spring inspection coming on or after May 1st (depending on weather), we’ve noted the rules that we will be focusing on:

III. BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

1) All homes need to be maintained in good condition, skirted, clean, neat, and properly painted in a manner in keeping with the general appearance of the community.

2) Accessory buildings, porches, decks and skirting are to be kept painted and in good repair so the appearance of the home and lot are attractive overall.

3) Concrete blocks are not acceptable as stairs. All outside doors must have stairs with hand railing on the opening side in accordance with the town’s building code.

4) Only one utility building is allowed. Metal buildings are permitted. Any new structure is to comply to the following standards: a) may not exceed 12’ X 12’ or 144 square feet b) roof is pitched c) doors and windows stay in good repair and are able to be closed.

5) All buildings, additions, porches, sheds, towers, children’s play facilities, and decks are to have prior written approval by the Board of Directors, who must sign the Permit Request, and are to comply with the town building codes, and federal and state regulations. Homeowners are required to present a plan for any of the above structures, showing details of the structure and the location on the lot. A copy of the Town’s building permit is to be given to the Board of Directors before work begins, which will be placed in the homeowner’s file. 

6) Pools and trampolines are strictly prohibited.

7) Commercial signs are not allowed.

IV. SITES

 1) Freestanding clotheslines are permitted in side and back yards. Stringing lines between trees and/or the home is not permitted (except for lines in existence prior to cooperative ownership). 

2) Rubbish removal is included in the lot rent. Said service shall be provided weekly, the exact date subject to change. All rubbish shall be placed in heavy-duty plastic bags inside the tote bin provide and should only be placed outside for collection the night before the day of rubbish pick-up. The amount of rubbish to be picked up is limited to the size of the container and only trash in the bin will be collected. All other trash and rubbish shall be removed at the Tenants’ expense. No burning or dumping of any rubbish is allowed on park property. Rubbish is to be kept in closed containers designed for that purpose and out of sight if possible. Tote bins are not to be left at the bottom of driveways. Residents are encouraged to recycle. 

3) Yards are to be kept neat and free of debris. Lawns are to be kept trimmed and mowed. If a lot is neglected, the cooperative reserves the right to have the lot cleaned and paid for at the owner’s expense.

4) Appliances, large containers, motors, auto body parts, tools, building supplies, chemicals, drums, tires, and other discarded items may not be left on lawns or around homes. No furniture of any kind except for lawn furniture may be kept outside the home.

5) Outside burning of leaves, rubbish, etc. is not permitted. Gas and charcoal grills are permitted but permanent fireplaces and barbecue pits are not permitted. This rule does not supersede any and all applicable fire codes. 

6) Fences may be used for decorative purposes only and no higher than four (4) feet. No lot perimeter fences are allowed. The Board of Directors has final approval on fences.

V. VEHICLES

1) Unregistered and/or un-inspected motor vehicles are not allowed in the community. No major automotive repairs may be performed in the community. Basic maintenance, such as oil changes, may be performed provided the resident uses appropriate ramps and catch basins, and disposes of the oil and filters appropriately. Any spills will be dealt with at the homeowner’s expense. 

2) Parking spaces will be allocated to each home. There is no parking of any motorized vehicles on lawns. This includes campers, boats, trailers, or other motorized vehicles. Seasonal storage of recreational vehicles or boats is allowed provided you have room in your driveway. Parking is allowed on the streets during the day (8 am- 10pm) as long as it does not block snow plowing or emergency vehicles.

VI. ANIMALS

1) Domestic pets are allowed in this community with restrictions. Proper vaccinations/immunization and licensing with the town is an important responsibility of the homeowner. Placement of farm and wild animals on any cooperative property is not allowed. 

4) Outdoor animals must be collared and tagged. Permitted animals will either be restricted to their lot or walked on a leash at all times. No animals should be left outside unattended. A barking dog may not be outside for longer than five minutes.

5) No free roaming cats. If a free roaming pet causes damages to any property, the homeowner will remove the pet and confine it to the inside of the home, and the pet owner will be liable for damages. 

6) All solid wastes from pets are to be picked up by the owner immediately and disposed of in the proper manner.