WPCA Minutes 05/08/2014
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 8, 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, Paul Gilmore, Jay Sheehan and Thomas Hickey. Also present were Tony Piazza, WPC Superintendent, Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, Alison Sturgeon, Clerk, as well as other interested parties.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Richardson gave a safety brief regarding hotel safety.
3. PUBLIC HEARING – Force Main Extension from the Town Garage to the Long View Drive Pump Station
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday,
May 8, 2014, 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 a force main extension from the Town garage to the Long View Drive pump station. 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 and opened the public hearing. There were no members of the public present at the meeting.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Richardson stated that the Authority had a discussion regarding this force main extension at the last meeting. He questioned how the costs would be allocated. Regarding the finances of the project, Mr. Piazza stated that the pump size has not yet been determined. Mr. Roy stated that the costs which will be allocated to the WPCA budget will be for the controls upgrade plus the difference in the cost of the pump. Mr. Piazza stated that $65,000 has been budgeted for this project.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the force main extension from the Town garage to the Long View Drive pump station in accordance with the discussion regarding allocation of finances. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion.
Since the pump station at the Town garage has not yet been designed, Mr. Richardson stated that the approval should be based on final estimates. Mr. Gilmore stated that this is somewhat different from dividing by the number of homes, which is what they usually do.
Mr. Richardson reiterated that $65,000 has been budgeted for the costs of the controls upgrade; the difference, if any, to the size of the pump; as well as if there is a need to tie into the larger, already existing pipe.
The motion was unanimously approved.
4. Billing for Avon and Granby – Discussion
Mr. Piazza distributed a spreadsheet regarding Avon and Granby billing. He stated that this is a three year average of billing for both Towns. It also shows what the Towns have paid to Simsbury so far this year and what they still owe the Town for FY 13/14. He stated that there are also different itemizations done for each Town.
5. Policy for Cleaning of Private Sewer Systems – Discussion
Mr. Piazza stated that currently, the WPC staff cleans sewer systems for Pine Hill Homeowners Association, Pine Hill Condo Association, the Town, as well as Ensign Bickford for emergency purposes. These cleanings are scheduled yearly. He stated that if anything in these systems break while cleaning, it will be the Town’s responsibility. Also, he stated that the cleanings of these systems are being undercharged. Mr. Piazza believes that generally, the cleaning of a private sewer systems using Town equipment sets a bad precedent. He stated that the cleanings done for emergency purposes should have a liability waiver.
Mr. Sheehan stated his concern regarding the possibility that if the Town does not continue to clean these private sewer systems that they may not get cleaned at all, which could potentially create even more problems. Mr. Gilmore stated there is a certain amount of wisdom in cleaning these private systems because our Town employees have the necessary knowledge of how it needs to be cleaned and if it is left undone, it could affect other parts of the system. There is also the issue of resource allocation.
Mr. Richardson stated that a waiver is definitely necessary as well as charging the market price for this service.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if the Town has a policy that requires private sewers that connect into the system to certify that they have been cleaned annually. Mr. Richardson stated that the Developers Agreement states that homeowners associations are required to maintain these systems.
There was a consensus among the Authority members that a liability waiver should be drafted. Mr. Piazza stated that he will look into the related costs and implications as well as appropriate charging rates. He will also look at what other problematic areas may be in Town. This discussion will continue at the next meeting.
6. Engineering Phosphorous Reduction Analysis – Discussion
Mr. Piazza stated that AECOM is currently finishing the permit requirement to get a recommendation for phosphorous removal at the plant. The cost to put this study in writing will
be $20,600, which was allocated in last year’s budget as a capital item but taken out because it was thought this could be paid for by other funds. Mr. Piazza stated that the $20,600 will now need to be transferred out of the Reserve Fund.
A motion was made to approve the fund transfer of $20,600 from the Reserve Fund to pay for the costs related to the study of the phosphorous removal at the plant. The motion was unanimously approved.
7. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that he continues to work with the Engineering Department to do a survey for Russell Lane to configure two alignment options. The first option would be to go to the rear of the houses and connect to existing sewers on Firetown Road. The second option is to connect to the front of the houses.
Mr. Piazza stated that a developer would like to put new homes on a lot on Plank Hill Road. A new line will need to be run down the street to serve these two homes. The developer is requesting to be put on the agenda for a public hearing at the June meeting.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to hold a public hearing at the June meeting for the sewer extension on Plank Hill Road. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
8. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT – A. PIAZZA
Mr. Piazza stated that in the month of March, an anoxic mixer was off for an extended period due to repairs. When it was turned back on, a septic loading on the oxidation ditch occurred. Two effluent BOD analyses were out of range and deemed unusable. DEEP was informed. All other permit requirements were met for March and April.
Mr. Piazza stated that AECOM is finalizing the report describing the evaluation and description of required modifications to meet the NPDES permit. Also, the six week flow monitoring for the north interceptor flow assessment will be completed on May 9th.
Regarding the Tunxis pump station replacement, a letter was sent to the contractor stating that the project was overdue and if not completed within 30 days the Town would take legal action. The bonding company was also notified. Regarding the Wolcott pump station rehab, Mr. Piazza stated that SCADA programming is complete. Final control system testing will be completed by WPC staff once the as-built drawing has been received.
Mr. Piazza stated that employee Bill Marek has been shifted to long term disability by the Town.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority reviewed a letter from Rebecca Soto of 75 Hickory Hill Road requesting an adjustment to her sewer bill due to her house being uninhabitable. After a short discussion, Mr. Richardson stated that the Ordinance is clear that a waiver could only be granted if the
connection is permanently capped. The Authority agreed to have Mr. Richardson draft a letter to Ms. Soto to advise her of the Authority’s decision.
10. User Rates – Discussion and Motion
As discussed at a previous meeting, the Authority will keep the sewer rates unchanged for FY 2014/15.
Dr. Park made a motion to retain the sewer rates for the FY 2014/15. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion.
Mr. Sheehan stated that this motion is only for sewer rates and not fees. He stated that he would like the Authority to discuss the fee schedule as regularly as they do the sewer rates.
Dr. Park amended his motion to state that the sewer rates for FY 2014/15 will remain at $335 for residential and $4.25/CCF for non-residential customers, which does not include any other fees. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
11. MARCH 13, 2014 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the March 13, 2014 minutes as written. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
12. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
______________________
Philip Richardson, Chairman