WPCA Minutes 03/09/2017

Meeting date: 
Thursday, March 9, 2017

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 9, 2017

“Subject to Vote of Approval”

1.             CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present:  Michael Park, Loren Shoemaker and Lucian Dragulski.  Also present were Anthony Piazza, Superintendent; Tom Roy, Director of Public Works; Alison Sturgeon, Clerk, as well as other interested parties.

2.         SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore gave a safety brief noting the exits in case of an emergency.  He also warned cyclists to be careful of bears, as well as sand and debris, when riding on trails. 

3.         20 DEER PARK ROAD – REQUEST FOR WAIVER

Mr. Piazza stated that Ms. Lindberg of 20 Deer Park Road has a crack in her septic tank, although it is not actively leaking.  She is currently in the process of selling her home.  He stated that the Town Code requires, and the way it has been enforced in the past, is that any repair to the septic system which would require a permit would also require connecting to the sewer, if available.  He stated that he advised Ms. Lindberg that she would need to connect to the available sewers or apply for a waiver to replace the septic tank.

Ms. Lindberg stated that the septic system is approximately 40 years old.  Mr. Piazza stated that this is a 1,000 gallon septic tank with two 1,500 gallon dry wells.  He stated that installing dry wells is no longer the standard practice today.  Mr. Roy stated that a dry well is a hole with large rocks with filter fabric around it.  The fluid flows through and disperses into the ground around it; it is a vertical dispersion.  He stated that although this is not as sophisticated as a leeching field, it was a common practice at the time the septic system was installed.

Ms. Lindberg stated that she was told, when she first requested a variance, she had the option to do nothing and allow the system to fail, and at that point could then connect to the sewer system.  She feels that this is counterintuitive in terms of protecting the water supply.  She stated that she is being proactive in wanting to replace the cracked tank.  She stated that she has talked with the FVHD.  She distributed an email from the FVHD stating that if the WPCA approves this waiver, they will grant her the necessary permit.

Mr. Gilmore reviewed the Town Code, Chapter 130, specifically Chapter 130-6(B).  He read part of the Code, which stated that it would be unlawful to construct or maintain any septic tank intended to use for the disposal of sewage if sewers are available.  He stated that Ms. Lindberg is asking for the WPCA to authorize something that, per their Town Code, is specified as being unlawful; he is unsure if they have the authority to waive this Code provision. 

Dr. Park stated that the definition of maintain is unclear in the Code.  Mr. Dragulski agreed.  Ms. Lindberg stated that when she purchased her house, during the inspection process, a crack in the septic lid was found.  At that time, the homeowners were not forced to connect to the sewer; this was seen as a repair, just as the crack to her tank should be seen as a repair.  She stated that if the Code meant repair, they would have written repair, although it states “maintain”.  She stated that she reads the Code as being mandatory for everyone to connect to the sewers, although it is not being enforced that way.  She requested that she be granted her variance in that interpretation.

Mr. Piazza stated that past practice has been that anything requiring a permit would be the requirement to connect to the sewers, if available.  He stated that, in the past, replacing the septic tank and reconstructing the septic field have both required connection to the sewer, if available. 

There was a short discussion regarding making several edits to the Code.  Mr. Roy stated that an Ordinance change would take approximately 2-3 months; a public hearing would need to be held. 

Mr. Dragulski stated his concerns regarding the wording in the Town Code, specifically where it states that, “it is unlawful to construct or maintain any septic tank”. He stated that the homeowner is not constructing a new tank, but rather installing one.  He also stated that everyone with a septic system is maintaining it by pumping it out every few years.

Mr. Gilmore stated that he would be in favor of denying this waiver request for 20 Deer Park Road because, he believes, it violates the Town Code.  He asked for a member of the Authority to make a motion to either approve or deny this request.

Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to approve the waiver request for 20 Deer Park Road based on the vagueness in the Statue and to move forward with whatever legal course necessary to get this Statue more understandable and relevant to the WPCA.  Dr. Park seconded the motion.

Mr. Gilmore stated that he feels if the Authority approves this waiver it will be in violation of the Town Code. 

Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Dragulski and Dr. Park voted in favor of the motion.  Mr. Gilmore voted in opposition.  The motion passed 3-1.

Mr. Piazza stated that he will study other Towns in terms of what triggers connections to the sewers.  Mr. Roy stated that the Authority members should read through the Ordinance so any and all changes could be made at once. 

4.      200 HOPMEADOW STREET – CAPACITY REVIEW APPLICATION

Mr. Piazza stated that he has done an original capacity review on the entire parcel.  The developer is now dividing the parcels; another capacity review will be done for the farm north of The Hartford site.  He stated that the developer is still in the planning phase.

5.      BUDGET – DISCUSSION AND VOTE

Mr. Piazza stated that the budget shows a 3 ½% increase from last year’s budget.  This is mostly due to salary and insurance increases.  Other increases include slight increases in both road and drainage supplies as well as clothing and safety supplies.  He stated that another increase in the budget is for machinery and equipment; they will be purchasing a crane to be installed on the new mechanic’s truck that the Public Works Department will be purchasing.

Mr. Piazza stated that the capital improvement projects include:  rehabilitation of Tunxis area sewers; a study regarding the protective dike at the treatment facility; a phosphorous study; and a facility plant update.

Dr. Park made a motion to approve the budget as proposed.  Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

6.      SEWER USE FEES FOR FY 2017/18 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY SET PUBLIC HEARING

Mr. Piazza created a spreadsheet and graphs for the Authority members showing 0%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% sewer fee increases.  He stated that the 5% increase and greater are based on maintaining the Reserve Fund at $5 million.  A 5% increase would calculate to be $352 per EDU for single family dwellings and $4.46 per CCF for non-residential customers; a 7% increase would calculate to be $360 per EDU for single family dwellings and $4.55 per CCF for non-residential customers.  Mr. Piazza recommended having a 5% increase for the upcoming fiscal year with another 5% increase in the next several years if necessary.  The last increase was in 2012.

Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to increase the annual use fee for FY 2017/18 by 5% for both residential and non-residential customers at an upcoming public hearing.  Dr. Park seconded the motion.

Mr. Piazza suggested that if the Authority would like to make any other changes to other fees, they do it at the same time, although he did not recommend any increases to other fees.

Mr. Dragulski amended the motion to include having this public hearing at a Special Meeting on April 6, 2017.  Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

7.      STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.

Regarding Town projects, Mr. Roy stated that residents on Andrew Drive have started connecting to the sewer system; the final pavement restoration will be done during this construction season.  The design for the 318-331 Bushy Hill Road extension is being done in-house.  He stated that the Town did receive final easement documents for Maple Court Homeowners Association, although they are still waiting for these documents from Old Mill Townhomes.  Bids will hopefully be received by June for summer construction.  Regarding Massaco Street, Mr. Roy stated that the design is being done in-house and he is hopeful that bids will go out this summer.  He stated that the Town is waiting for the asphalt plants to be open at night in order to be able to extend the sewers to 560-573B Hopmeadow Street. 

8.      TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT

Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for January.  He stated that laboratory data was misplaced for February 3, 2017 for settleable solids, mixed liquor suspended solids, return sludge % solids, and waste sludge pounds.  This data is recorded for process control only and is maintained as part of the monthly operating report. Internal procedures have been modified to prevent this from occurring in the future. 

Regarding plant process, Mr. Piazza stated that the electronic depth of blanket monitor for the secondary clarifier #2 has failed.  The unit was sent to the factory for refurbishment and was reinstalled.  Also, septage tanks level monitors are experiencing an “electrical noise” creating false readings; staff is currently running the system in manual until the cause of the noise is eliminated.  He stated that staff continues to standardize equipment to ensure items can be utilized in multiple areas throughout the plant. The yearly electrical consumption is approximately 10% less this year from consumption in 2014 prior to the electrical upgrades to the plant and process changes. This reduction is within 5% of the anticipated savings estimated by Environmental Systems Corporation for the completed energy upgrades.

Mr. Piazza stated that staff has completed a sewer installation specification manual to assist contractors and developers with current Town policies.  Additionally, staff has created a Developer’s Guidance document which establishes a checklist and time frame for developers to follow from implementation through completion of a project.  Both documents are under final review.

Mr. Piazza stated that Dave Prickett Consulting is continuing to work with Town staff to establish flow capacity availability.  Work will continue to develop an updated plan for capacity review of the entire system. He also stated that staff continues with cleaning of the system; the truck driver position remains open.

9.      CORRESPONDENCE

The Authority members reviewed letters from Mr. Piazza regarding allocation requests for 690 Hopmeadow Street as well as Building 200, 69 Woodland Street; facility connection charges/credits for Westminster School in terms of their dining hall; and a letter to homeowners of Maple Court Homeowners Association regarding sewer design.

10.       JANUARY 12, 2017 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

Mr. Gilmore made one edit to the January 12, 2017 meeting minutes.

Dr. Park made a motion to approve the January 12, 2017 as amended.  Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was approved.  Mr. Shoemaker abstained.

11.          ADJOURN

Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.  Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

______________________

Paul Gilmore, Chairman