WPCA Meeting Minutes 11/10/2022

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

“Subject to Vote of Approval”

1.            CALL TO ORDER

Michael Park called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:11 p.m. via a Zoom meeting. The following members were present:   Tom Hickey, Ed Kelly, Lucian Dragulski, and Jacques Brignac.  Also present were Anthony Piazza, Superintendent and Alison Sturgeon, Administrative Secretary.

2.            SAFETY BRIEF – Dr. Park stated that as the colder weather comes, the bears are hungry and bulking up for the winter.  Please keep your trash secure.

3.             PUBLIC HEARING – HOPMEADOW STREET/WOODLAND STREET SEWER UPGRADE ASSESSMENT                 

Dr. Park read the legal notice.

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT.  The purpose of the hearing is to review and possibly vote on the proposed sewer assessments for 660 Hopmeadow St, for the Woodland St / Hopmeadow St sewer upgrade.  This will be the one and only hearing of the Authority on this assessment.  Any affected property owner may appear and be heard.

                                                                                WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

                                                                                Paul Gilmore, Chairman

Mr. Dragulski made a motion to open the public hearing.  Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

Mr. Piazza stated that the Woodland Street / Hopmeadow Street upgrade included the replacement of the main lines from 570-643 Hopmeadow Street as well as all of Woodland Street.  They also installed a new line inside the Dyno Nobel property to eliminate flow through the private system.  The disturbed roadways were also repaved.  The construction for this project finished in April 2022.  Also, as part of this project, the Town installed storm drainage on Woodland Street prior to final restoration. 

Mr. Piazza stated that the unexpected issues with this project included:  the protection of a Sycamore tree on Hopmeadow Street, which required pipe jacking under the tree; unmarked drainage, conflicts and repairs because of the inaccurate plans for Woodland Street; lateral installations; and the installation of storm drainage by the Town, which included substantial coordination.

Mr. Piazza stated that the bid for this project was awarded to Tobacco Construction.  The project bid came in at $1,542,000, which included the work at Dyno Nobel.  The total construction costs, including the construction, survey and engineering, and paving were $1,656,549.39.  He stated that there were 37 properties within this project.  The assessment for this project will be paid solely by Dyno Nobel; the first assessment bill will go out in November of 2023.

Mr. Kelly questioned if it was normal to wait a full year to bill the assessment.  Mr. Piazza stated that assessments go out in November of each year.  It is too late to send it out this year.

Dr. Park questioned if there were any comments from the public.

Mr. John Walsh, of Dyno Nobel, thanked Mr. Piazza, as well as the Town of Simsbury, for all of their hard work on this project.  This has been a huge burden lifted off Dyno Nobel. 

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

Mr. Brignac made a motion to approve the sewer assessment for 660 Hopmeadow Street as well as the Woodland Street / Hopmeadow Street sewer upgrade, in the amount of $1,656,549.39.  Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

4. / 5.      10 MASSACO STREET, APT P / ELDERLY RELIEF – UNDER REVIEW BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY

BELDEN FOREST COURT CONDOMINIUMS – CONTINUED DISCUSSION

Mr. Piazza stated that there is a request for an opinion from the Town Attorney for both the elderly relief as well as the Belden Forest Court Condominiums.  They are awaiting a response.

6.             STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.

Regarding the Pine Hill Homeowner’s Association, Mr. Piazza stated that the survey has been complete and quotes have been received for the design.  He continues to work with the residents to personally locate the laterals inside their homes.  He stated that interest letters were sent out to Sand Hill Road.  Five responses were received out of 16 letters.

Mr. Piazza stated that the main line is installed on Eagle Lane.  The contractor continues to work on bringing the laterals to the properties.  This project should be completed by next week.

Regarding developer projects, Mr. Piazza stated that Cambridge Court off of Hoskins Road continues to be built, although at a slower pace.  There are still three more homes to be built on Griswold Place.  The Ridge at Talcott Mountain just connected the sewers for the last of the apartments; one more building remains.

7.            TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT

Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of October.  The UV System has been taken off line for the winter season and annual maintenance. Staff has been looking at potential issues that may come up and have been ordering parts as needed to overcome the delays in receiving products.

Regarding the sewer lining, Mr. Piazza stated that Granite InLiner will be returning in January to complete the lining of several sections of pipe that were unable to be done due to access issues. Staff will be reviewing the completed sections to determine any future needs.

Mr. Piazza stated that Weston and Sampson was awarded the contract for the structural analysis of the clarifiers to determine what actions need to be taken to ensure the tanks can be ready for future use.

Regarding staffing, Mr. Piazza stated that the construction inspector position interviews did not produce a fully qualified candidate; the job will be advertised again in January.

8.            CORRESPONDENCE – None.

9.             OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

Mr. Brignac made a motion to approve the October meeting minutes as written.  Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved.  Mr. Hickey abstained.

10.          ADJOURN

Mr. Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.  Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 

_________________________

Michael Park, Acting Chairman