WPCA Minutes 09/10/2020
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Michael Park called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:30 p.m. via a virtual Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Jay Sheehan, Tom Hickey, Ed Kelly, Jacques Brignac, and Lucian Dragulski. Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent and Tom Fitzgerald, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Park gave a safety brief regarding the new Simsbury Ordinance regarding not feeding the wildlife.
3. REQUEST WAIVER – 98 COUNTY ROAD
Mr. Piazza stated that the owners at 98 County Road are looking to hook up to the sanitary sewer; they are requesting a facility connection charge waiver, citing medical issues and things of that nature. He stated that there was never a sewer assessment for this property because the sewers were installed by a developer on that portion of County Road.
Dr. Park questioned if waivers have been granted in the past. Mr. Piazza stated that he does not have any record of any facility connection charge being waived. He stated that there is an option within the State Statutes for the WPCA to offer the homeowners a payment plan.
Mr. Hickey questioned when this line was installed. Mr. Piazza stated that it was installed in the early 1980’s. Mr. Brignac stated that, based on the letter, this is a hardship case and the owners may not be able to even afford a payment plan. He questioned if their septic system has failed. Mr. Piazza stated that this was not an emergency; their system has not failed.
Mr. Dragulski stated that if the WPCA approved this waiver, they will be setting a precedent. Mr. Sheehan stated that if they do not currently have a failing septic, it might be in their best interest to defer connecting to the sanitary sewer. Mr. Hickey stated that the letter sent in by the homeowner states that they have had their septic pumped twice in the last 6 months, which seems to point to a failing system.
The WPCA members discussed a possible payment plan. Mr. Piazza stated that this would be a lien on their property. He stated that they could charge the same interest rate the Town charges for assessments and could possibly amortize payments over the next ten years. Mr. Kelly stated that the WPCA should determine what exactly a hardship is in order to determine how to move forward.
Dr. Park stated that the homeowner ended the letter asking for a waiver or any counter proposal. He feels that a payment plan is fair and reasonable without setting a precedent. Mr. Hickey agreed. Mr. Kelly questioned if the homeowner has paid their property taxes and what the Tax office does, if anything, for homeowners who cannot afford their tax bills. Mr. Kelly suggested that further review into these questions take place and that the Authority revisit this issue at the next meeting. The WPCA members agreed. Mr. Piazza stated that he would relay this information to the homeowners.
4. DISCUSSION – SOLAR POWER VIRTUAL NET METERING
Mr. Piazza stated that they will be working with Titan Energy, which is a consultant that goes out and puts bids together for solar power for municipalities to do net metering. He stated that the Town is trying to get a net metering contract, either by themselves or together with other municipalities, to do a possible mass bid.
5. DISCUSSION – FEMA HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
Mr. Piazza stated that they are looking to put in an application for the Building Resilient and Infrastructure Communities grant. Applications for this grant are due by the end of November. They will be receiving several proposals from consultants to file this application. This is for the modifications that need to be made to the protective berm that surrounds the plant. FEMA has recently changed the flood elevation of the river to an additional two feet; the protective berm needs to be raised approximately three feet in order to get the appropriate clearance for the 100 year flood plain. He stated that this would be a 75% grant with a 25% town match. He is looking for approval from the WPCA to submit the grant application, knowing that funds will need to be set aside if the grant is received. He stated that this has been in the long-term capital improvement projects as well. The Board of Selectmen would need to approve this as another part of the process.
Mr. Sheehan cautioned that the Federal Government recently passed a ruling stating that anyone who writes the grant cannot do the work.
Mr. Dragulski made a motion to submit the grant application as presented. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
6. INITIAL DISCUSSION – FY 2021/22 BUDGET
Mr. Piazza stated that this will be a discussion of last year’s budget, not the upcoming FY 2021/22. He stated that they are 2.5% above where they were last year. This is due to the medical insurance, sludge hauling and because the department is now fully staffed. He stated that they are approximately $300,000 under the expected budget. The reserve fund is currently approximately $6.5 million. If the grant is not received, the money for the berm will need to be taken out of the reserve fund as well as some upcoming major projects.
7. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that Highcroft sewers are in place; the project will be completed once they finish the final two buildings. There are several changes to the sewer design for The Ridge at Talcott Mountain since they have taken out some of the townhomes in order to put in more apartments. This project will be completed once they finish their final four buildings.
Mr. Piazza stated that the Woodland Street project is currently in the design phase. They are hoping to put this out to bid in January for potential spring construction. The timeline will depend on what the State is doing with the bridge in front of Dyno Nobel; the State is planning on replacing this bridge. This project may be delayed because of the State’s work.
8. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
All permit requirements were met for the months of June, July and August. Mr. Piazza stated that staff has started the replacement of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). Staff is coordinating with the computer integrator from Tighe & Bond for installation. At this time two PLC’s still need to be upgraded. Staff is continuing work with AECOM for the update of the Water Pollution Control Plan, the Water Pollution Control Facilities Plan, Analysis of the protective berm with the updated flood plain mapping, and an update on the phosphorous removal plan. AECOM engineers visited the site to perform an overall assessment for potential system upgrades.
Mr. Piazza stated that staff has completed the installation of the new plant water system. It has been fully operational since July.
Regarding the nitrogen credit, Mr. Piazza stated that the adjusted credit for Simsbury is approximately $23,000 for last year.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter that was sent to Nelson Construction clarifying their FCC charges, which was discussed at the last WPCA meeting, as well as a letter to Big Y Foods regarding their FCC charges.
10. JUNE MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the June minutes as written. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Kelly abstained.
11. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Michael Park, Acting Chairman