WPCA Minutes 03/13/2014
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 13, 2014
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richardson called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:30 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, Paul Gilmore, Jay Sheehan and Thomas Hickey. Also present were Tony Piazza, WPC Superintendent, Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Alison Sturgeon, Clerk as well as other interested parties.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Richardson gave a safety brief stating that since Daylight Savings Time it is still dark out in the morning so please beware of kids waiting for buses on local roads as well as ice on the sides of the roads and highways.
3. FY 14/15 CAPITAL BUDGET – DISCUSSION
Mr. Piazza stated that if the Long View Pump Station is left in its current location, with the additional flow once the Town garage is hooked up, the pumps will need to be increased from 2.5 HP to 5HP. The cost for leaving the pump station where it is, as well as the costs for the control and SCADA upgrades, will be approximately $47,000. Moving the pump station would cost approximately $330,000. Mr. Piazza stated that the Farmington Valley Health District informed him that the average age of the septic systems in this area are approximately 30 years old. The soils are bad in this area and the FVHD is recommending that these homes hook up to the sewer when possible.
Mr. Richardson stated that several months ago at a public hearing, the residents of Long View Drive were not interested in an extension project in conjunction with the pump station upgrade. He stated that this does not change the fact that the Town still needs to hook up the Town garage to the bottom of Long View Drive in order to pump up to the sanitary sewer. He stated that if the pump station is left in the current location, he believes, this upgrade would be at the expense of the Town. If the pump station is moved, this would create the potential for 8 homes on Long View Drive, and possibly others, to more easily connect to the sewers in the future, while accommodating the Town garage. He questioned how the costs for this option would be allocated between the Town, the WPCA and, possibly, the Long View Drive homeowners. Mr. Roy stated that this project would also coincide with the paving of Long View Drive, which is a cost savings.
Mr. Richardson stated that the WPCA is not obligated to pay for the pump station in order to lower costs for residents on Long View Drive, as this was a one-time option that the homeowners did not take advantage of.
Mr. Sheehan stated that EPA came out with their priority list; they have $30 million with a 20% grant for pump station rehab. He stated that this project would not work because of timing, although the WPCA should keep this in mind for future projects.
After a short discussion, there was a consensus among the Authority members to move forward with leaving the pump station in place at a cost of $47,000 to upgrade existing conditions. Mr. Richardson stated that a public hearing will need to be held for the new proposal for the Town garage.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to hold a public hearing at next month’s meeting for a force main extension from the Town garage to the Long View Drive pump station. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Ms. Haase stated that because the Authority will not be relocating the pump station, this project is now a Capital Improvement and no longer a Capital Non-recurring. She stated that there is a Board of Selectmen meeting on March 24th to discuss the budget, at which time the Board of Selectmen will need to know the true amount. Mr. Roy stated that currently, the $460,000 is a large placeholder on the Town’s Capital Budget. The Authority needs to decide if they want to free up that money, because they are not considering the relocation of the pump station, which would allow the Town to make potential budgetary changes. The consensus of the Authority members was for the Board of Selectmen to only consider the cost of the pump station improvement.
4. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that there has been a request for sewers in the area of Flintlock Ridge, Musket Trail and Hawks Lane. Further refinements of costs are still needed and then residents will be polled for interest. He stated that there are challenges on this project because of the pipe depth, elevations of homes, and the possible need for some homes to use grinder pumps.
Mr. Roy stated that the extension for Buttonwood Drive was not approved last month at the homeowner’s request, although they continue to collect information to determine if there is an urgency for their homes to connect to the sewer. The design survey work for the approved Seminary Road extension will be completed once the snow melts. Discussions continue regarding possible easements from residents in order for the approved Russell Lane extension to move forward.
5. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT – A. PIAZZA
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of February. He stated that WMC Consulting Engineers will complete the design and permitting for the Farmington River Bank stabilization project. The contractor for the Tunxis Pump Station will be completing the last items to close out this project.
Regarding the Wolcott Pump Station, Mr. Piazza stated that generator and pump startup tests have been completed and SCADA programming is scheduled to be completed the week of 3/17.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Richardson stated that approximately one year ago, Dyno Nobel asked the WPCA to review a letter that they wanted to send out to residents stating that they would no longer be under obligation to maintain the private sewer system. Several edits have been made to the letter since then, including edits by the Town Attorney. Mr. Gilmore volunteered to get in contact with Rich Higley at Dyno Nobel regarding this letter.
Mr. Roy stated that, at the last meeting, the WPCA discussed using citations as a way to enforce violations regarding the Fats / Oils / Grease (FOG) Program. The Town Attorney made a few small changes to the 2 citations. There was a consensus among the WPCA that these citations could be printed and used.
7. JANUARY 9, 2014 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
FEBRUARY 13, 2014 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Gilmore suggested several edits to the January 9, 2014 minutes.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to approve the January 9, 2014 minutes as amended. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Richardson abstained.
Mr. Richardson made several edits to the February 13, 2014 minutes.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the February 13, 2014 minutes as amended. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Shoemaker and Mr. Gilmore abstained.
8. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Philip Richardson, Chairman