WPCA Meeting Minutes 07/26/2018 - Special Meeting

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

SPECIAL MEETING

JULY 26, 2018

“Subject to Vote of Approval”

1.             CALL TO ORDER

Paul Gilmore called the special meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present:  Michael Park, Jay Sheehan, Lucian Dragulski, Tom Hickey, and Ed Kelly.  Also present were Anthony Piazza, Water Pollution Control Superintendent; and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk, as well as other interested persons.

2.             SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore gave a safety brief noting the exits in case of an emergency.

3.             PUBLIC HEARING – 5-9 PHELPS LANE SEWER EXTENSION

Mr. Gilmore read the legal notice.

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to open the public hearing.  Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Mr. Piazza stated that the Town of Simsbury operates and maintains the treatment facility, which has a 3.8 MGD capacity; 5 pump stations; 85 miles of sewer lines; and 2,300 manholes.  The service area includes Simsbury and portions of Avon and Granby, who are co-owners of the treatment facility and participate in debt reduction and O&M funding.  The WPCA is the sole decision making authority for sewer installations; finances are solely supported by user fees.  These fees include the facility connection charge and an annual sewer use fee.

Mr. Piazza stated that sewer extensions are usually facilitated by an order from the State Health Department or DEEP; by a developer building a new development within the sewer use area; or by a neighborhood request.  Funding for projects are through a revolving sewer assessment fund.  As new projects are constructed, homeowners are assessed their portion of the cost to repay the sewer assessment fund.  These assessments can be financed over 10 years through the WPCA. 

Mr. Piazza showed a map which depicted the project location.  The closest manhole to the project is on Railroad Street, in front of Plan B.  The extension would tie into the manhole on Railroad Street up to Phelps Lane.  This would allow both buildings on the property to connect to the sanitary sewer.  He stated that 8 Phelps Lane is already connected to the sewers.  The Historical Society, 800 Hopmeadow Street, does not have any facilities in their buildings and therefore, does not need to connect.  Mr. Piazza stated that they are proposing an 8 inch line which could be constructed as an extension or as a lateral.  He stated that Welden’s Hardware has already committed to granting an easement through their property if necessary.

Regarding the cost for this project, Mr. Piazza stated that the preliminary estimate is approximately $36,500.  He stated that they have received a quote from Red Door Construction for $22,000 using on-call rates.  The Town could go out to bid, although they can bypass the bid process and get 3 quotes since the work will not exceed $25,000. 

Marlene Young, 5-9 Phelps Lane stated that her septic system has failed.  It would be very helpful to be able to finance this project through an assessment from the Town.

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to close the public hearing.  Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Dr. Park made a motion to approve the sewer extension for 5-9 Phelps Lane as proposed.  Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

4.         ADJOURN

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m.  Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

______________________

Paul Gilmore, Chairman