WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 14, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Philip Richardson called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:35 p.m. at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Philip Burton, Warren Coe, Gary Faraci, Paul Gilmore and Ed Kelly. Also present were: James Clifton, Superintendent WPCF, Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, Kendra Dahlquist, Clerk, and other interested parties. Frank Borawski was absent.
II. PUBLIC HEARING
A. EXTENSION OF SEWER SERVICE TO PROPERTIES ON HIGH HILL CIRCLE
Mr. Richardson opened the public hearing by reading the Legal Notice, as follows:
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 14, 2008, at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT, in the conference room at 7:30 P. M. The purpose of the hearing is to review the proposal for extending sanitary sewers to serve 1, 3, 4,5,6,7 and 8 High Hill Circle, Simsbury, CT. All interested property owners should appear and be heard.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Frank Borawski, Chairman
Mr. Sawitzke noted that 1 High Hill Circle should not have been included as an address affected by the proposed sewer, as that property had been connected to public sewer under a prior project. He then outlined the design, cost estimates, funding sources and cycles, and the approval process for Authority projects, and distributed a page explaining related cost estimates to property owners.
Mr. Richardson opened the hearing to public comment. Michelle Phelan of # 5 expressed concerns about runoff and drainage. Ray Bessette of # 6 was concerned about costs for pumping which might affect his property, why properties nearby were not included in this project, and the timing of fee increases. In response to these and other questions by several homeowners, there was a general discussion of how sewer projects are funded and paid for, assessments, facility connection charges, sewer use fees, and which properties in the neighborhood were included in this project or not, and when and why. Mr. Sawitzke and various Authority members responded with details of how fees are determined, public hearing requirements, funding schedules, and project approvals.
Several references were made to a "property owner not present" generally identified as the "water company" who may be contributing to a perceived drainage or runoff problem. Mr. Stachowiak of # 7 believed the result of runoff or "breakout" of groundwater was potentially deleterious to septic systems. Mr Sawitzke noted the presence of storm drain hookups and reiterated the local condition of poor soil "Broadbrook stone and silt loam", with hardpan underneath, and will investigate the possibility of installing curtain drains to mitigate runoff conditions.
A letter from Nevere Hatsian of # 4 was read, noting that the property had never had a problem with the septic system, and that the expenses associated with the project would be financially burdensome to the homeowner. A discussion of financing choices for elderly residents followed.
Vice Chairman Richardson took a tally of property owners present and correspondence received, to see how many were interested in proceeding. #3 was undecided, #"s 5, 6, 7 & 8 were in favor, and #4 was against. Hearing no further comments,
A motion was made by Mr. Faraci to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Burton. Motion passed. Vice Chairman Richardson closed the public hearing at 8:25 p.m..
A motion was made by Mr. Gilmore to approve proceeding with the proposed extension of the sewer service to High Hill Circle. The motion was seconded by Mr.Faraci. Motion passed.
III. WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY UPGRADE - EARTH TECH, INC.
Dennis Setzko presented his February, 2008 Status Report, including tentative plans for an open house for the public on April 19 or May 3. Members will be asked to respond by email with the preferred date. The upgrade is nearly complete, with some funds being withheld to encourage completion of the few remaining items on the punch list.
IV. APPROVAL OF BILLS
A motion was made by Mr Faraci to approve a bill for payment in the amount of $3016.88 (Invoice #435331) from Earth Tech, Inc.;The motion was seconded by Mr. Burton. Motion passed.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
A. Capital Improvement Projects:
Jim Clifton reviewed two projects in a letter to the First Selectman dated January 14, 2008. FY 2008-09 will include the design phase of both the Wolcott Pump Station and the South Pump Station rebuild. The construction phase of the Wolcott Pump Station rebuild will be part of the FY 2009-10 budget.
B. DEP Nitrogen Reduction Survey
Mr. Clifton reported that the facility would be selling, rather than buying Nitrogen this year. A survey form outlined questions DEP is using to evaluate the success of the nitrogen credit trading program toward meeting the Total Maximum Daily Load for total nitrogen on Long Island Sound.
C. DEP Proposed value of an equivalent Nitrogen credit for 2007
The facility has approximately $14,060 of Nitrogen credits to sell, and will be receiving a check rather than sending a check.
D. Upper Folly Farm Conservancy Annual Report
The Upper Folly Farm Conservancy submitted a report to the WPCA indicating that they are maintaining the system properly and providing documentation annually.
E. Educational Playcare-FCC payment
This project was completed in two phases. The FCC for Phase 1 has been paid, and the owner has requested that the FCC for Phase 2 be paid in four installments, and will provide a letter of intent to the Authority in that regard.
VI. MINUTES
A. January 10, 2008
A motion was made by Mr.Faraci to approve the minutes of the January 10, 2008 meeting, as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr.Gilmore. Abstentions from members absent at that meeting were noted. Motion passed.
VII. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR EDU FEE INCREASE FOR FY 2008-09
Mr. Kelly moved to schedule a public hearing at the next scheduled WPCA meeting in March to increase the EDU fee by $10.00 for FY 2008-09. Mr. Burton seconded. Motion Passed
VIII. STATUS REPORTS ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS
Mr. Sawitzke reviewed various projects and made the following recommendations:
A. Cornfield Road has had a hearing and construction is likely in the summer of 2008
B. Wolcott Road is a complex situation and other projects are already in process. A fall hearing is likely.
C. High Hill Circle, having just been approved, will be surveyed after Cornfield, with construction expected in the fall of 2008.
IX. WATER TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr Clifton reported that January was a very good month for nitrogen removal. The facility has been lowering solids but excess rainfall has adversely affected the mix. Agreements for potential membership in two organizations of wastewater facilities statewide and regionally, offers mutual aid of equipment, data bases, and contact information in the event of a catastrophe. The Authority was asked to review and comment on the agreements at the next meeting.
X. REQUEST TO PLACE BEEHIVES ON WPCF PROPERTY
There was a general discussion of risks and liabilities associated with beekeeping and the Authority felt the risks outweighed the benefits and was not receptive to the idea.
XI. 2008-09 BUDGET DISCUSSION
There is a negative increase in the budget, mainly due to fewer kWh of electricity being used than projected. Removing the construction phase of the Wolcott and South Pump Stations from Operations and Management and moving them to Capital Improvements removed 450K.
A motion was made by Mr. Burton to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 P. M.
______________________
Philip Richardson, Vice Chairman
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