WPCA Minutes 02/14/2013

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 14, 2013
1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Richardson called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Paul Gilmore, Warren Coe, Jay Sheehan and Loren Shoemaker.  Also present were James Clifton, WPC Superintendent; Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer; Alison Sturgeon, Clerk; as well as other interested parties.

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

3. PUBLIC HEARING – REVIEW OF PROPOSAL FOR EXTENDING SANITARY SEWER ON RUSSELL LANE
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday,
February 14, 2013, at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room at the Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. The purpose of the hearing is to review a proposal, and possibly take action, for extending sanitary sewers to serve 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 Russell Lane, Simsbury, CT.  All interested property owners shall have the opportunity to appear and be heard.

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Philip Richardson, Chairman
Mr. Richardson read the legal notice.

Mr. Sawitzke, Town Engineer, stated that the Simsbury Water Pollution Control is essentially a municipal utility; they need to recover their costs for design and construction of sewer extensions.  He stated that sewer extensions are brought to the attention of the Town by developers or neighborhood requests.  If this extension is approved for the west side of Russell Lane, the funding for this sewer would come from the revolving sewer assessment fund. 

Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Town has prepared a schematic design and cost estimate for the west side of Russell Lane.  He also discussed the costs involved in this sewer extension.  The final actual cost of the survey, legal costs and construction will be assessed equally to each benefited property owner.  This cost is estimated to range from $14,000 - $14,500, which can be amortized over a ten year period.  The facility connection charge is a cost of $4,095.  This amount may be included in the cost of the assessment, or it can be paid in a single payment when connecting.  He stated that there have been instances where a homeowner amortizes the cost over ten years, although when they went to refinance their mortgage, this lien needed to be paid off or added into the mortgage.  Mr. Sawitzke stated that the homeowner is responsible to hire a contractor and plumber to construct the connection when they are ready to connect.  The contractor would be paid directly.  Lastly, there is an annual use charge once a homeowner connects to the sewer.  The current charge is $335.  This cost is to operate and maintain the treatment and collection systems.  This cost may increase based on the actual cost of utilities, maintenance, etc. 

Mr. Sawitzke discussed the options on the west side of Russell Lane.  He stated that the homeowners would also need to grant easements to the Town for the extension.  He stated that, within the options, the lengths are all about the same; the Town will pick the most economical route.  In response to a question from Mr. Sheldon, 9 Russell Lane, Mr. Sawitzke stated that there is a provision in the manhole in the back of 9 Russell Lane.  Mr. Sheldon also stated that there was a sewer lean many years ago that was paid off for his home.  He showed the Authority the documentation that he found at the Town Clerk’s office.  Mr. Sawitzke stated that he will look into this issue.

Mrs. Mason, 7 Russell Lane, stated that her family is on a fixed income; an assessment of this amount is huge for them.  She stated that they do not have any septic issues and they are not in favor of this sewer extension. 

Mr. Banaszuk, One Russell Lane, stated that he replaced his septic system when he purchased the house.  He stated that leaching fields have a limited life and would cost more than a sewer extension.  He also questioned if the extension can be made on either end of the road and not the middle, since the homeowner at 7 Russell is not in favor of the extension.  Mr. Sawitzke stated that this option can be looked into.

Chairman Richardson took a straw poll of the homeowners.  Homeowners at one, five and nine Russell Lane were in favor of the sewer extension.  Homeowners at three and seven Russell Lane were in opposition to the sewer extension.  As a non-binding indicator, when asked, the homeowner at 3 Russell Lane stated that he was unsure if he would be willing to grant an easement for this extension; the homeowners at 7 Russell Lane stated that they would not grant an easement.

Mr. Howard, 5 Russell Lane, questioned if the extension could go through the Town owned land near Russell Lane.  Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Town would look into this option.

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

Mr. Gilmore stated his concerns regarding having better written policies that the Authority can refer back to regarding the granting of easements as well as the financing of assessments.   

After a short discussion regarding easements, there was consensus among the Authority that if any homeowner was willing to provide an easement to the Town to enable interested neighbors to hook up, but does not hook up themselves, the WPCA would be willing to defer their assessment until their home sells or that homeowner hooks up, whichever occurs first. 

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to move forward with the sewer extension on the west side of Russell Lane with the provision that if the homeowners who do not want to hook up would be willing to provide an easement to the Town, they would be granted deferred assessments until such time as they hook up or sell their home, whichever comes first.  Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 

Mr. Sawitzke took the action to contact the five potentially affected homeowners to determine if they would be willing to proceed based on the conditions set forth above.

4. DORSET CROSSING - PRESENTATION

Mr. Kellman and Attorney Fahey were representing Keystone Companies.  Mr. Kellman stated that the construction of the sanitary sewer for Phase I has already been approved.  He stated that the site has been prepared and the first medical building has been constructed; the sanitary sewer has been tied into Hopmeadow Street. 

Mr. Kellman stated that the Town has already approved a rezoning and Master Plan for the future development of Phase II.  This would include potential office development.  The plan shows the extension of Dorsett Crossing Drive up to the circle.  He stated that a site plan has also been approved for 36 units of specialty housing, although construction has not yet started.  Mr. Kellman stated that the sanitary sewer needs to be extended down to this location of the specialty housing.  This will be approximately 1,060 feet of 8 inch PVC gravity sewer that would tie into the end manhole that was constructed as part of Phase I.  He stated that this will allow for additional apartment complex development and potential apartments and possible office space.  The flow capacity has been generated using the maximum potential development. 

Mr. Kellman stated that they are looking for the Authority to approve the public sewer extension for Phase II.  Attorney Fahey has prepared the Developer’s Agreement.  The language in the agreement is what was used in the original approved Planned Area Development (PAD).  

Mr. Shoemaker made a motion that the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority go forward in signing the permit agreement for construction of sanitary sewers for Phase II of Dorset Crossing once the two blanks are filled in on the agreement.  Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

5. SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE – REVIEW OF PROPOSAL FOR EXTENDING SANITARY SEWER ON SEMINARY ROAD

Mr. Sawitzke distributed a map to the Authority members depicting the existing and proposed sanitary sewers on Seminary Road.  He stated that this project is being considered because several homeowners have requested sewers.  A letter of interest was sent to 11 homeowners.  Five favorable responses were received; two negative responses were received; and four homeowners did not respond. 

Mr. Sawitzke stated that he will not be able to attend the March meeting.

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to set the public hearing date to review the proposal for extending sanitary sewers on Seminary Road for April 11, 2013.  Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 

6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC. – R.SAWITZKE

Mr. Sawitzke stated that the cost estimates will be available for Long View Drive in April.  The hearing could be held in May. 

7. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT – J. CLIFTON

Mr. Clifton stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of January.  He stated that the Mission Control system has been installed.  He stated that Canton WPC requested assistance with a sewer blockage on January 23, 2013.  Two Simsbury staff responded with the VacCon truck to remove the blockage.  A bill was submitted to Canton WPC for recovery from the owner of that private collection system.  Regarding the budget, Mr. Clifton stated that it was submitted essentially as presented.  There will be workshops that the Authority members are welcome to attend.  He also stated that Simsbury’s 2012 credit for nitrogen trading will be $20,408. 

Mr. Clifton stated that he and Jay Sheehan made a presentation at the NEWEA Conference titled, “Weathering the Halloween Snowstorm”.  At this conference, Mr. Clifton was also awarded the Dr. William D. Hatfield Award.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. Richardson stated that the WPCA received a letter from Mill Commons requesting their Facility Connection Charge be amortized over 10 years.  Mr. Gilmore suggested that this issue go through the Town Attorney because this is the first time this is being done by a developer.

Mr. Richardson stated that the WPCA received a letter from Mr. Nord Christensen regarding a special exception for 52 West Street.  Mr. Clifton noted that a capacity review was already on file and there is more than adequate sewer capacity for converting this into a two family residence.  There is a requirement that another FCC be paid for the additional unit.

A letter was received from Mr. McCue, 67 Laurel Lane asking for an appeal of a denial that he received from the WPCA.  Mr. Gilmore stated that no action needs to be taken by the Authority tonight.  He asked that this issue be on the March agenda.  Mr. Richardson asked that the Town Attorney be consulted as to whether or not this issue needs to be discussed in Executive Session.    

9. JANUARY 10, 2013 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the January 10, 2013 minutes as written.  Mr. Gilmore seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

10. ADJOURN

Mr. Gilmore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:33 p.m.  Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

______________________
Philip Richardson, Chairman