WPCA Minutes 09/12/2019
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Michael Park called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Jay Sheehan, Tom Hickey, Ed Kelly, Lucian Dragulski and Jacques Brignac. Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Dr. Park gave a safety brief stating that for those people who go to the eye doctor, always make sure your eyes are not still dilated before getting into a car and driving, especially at night.
3. DISCUSSION – REQUEST BY DYNO NOBEL TO UPGRADE AND FINANCE SEWERS IN WOODLAND STREET AREA
Mr. Piazza stated that the Town has been working with Dyno Nobel over the past several years. They continually spend a lot of money on maintaining their sewers. They would like the Town to design, install and take over the sewers primarily in the Woodland Street area. Preliminary estimates, which were done many years ago, were approximately $1.2 million for the entire project. Mr. Piazza stated that currently, there is clay pipe in the ground; the sewers are not currently up to Town code. Dyno Nobel would like to finance this project through the Town in what will probably be three phases so as not to deplete the sewer assessment fund.
Mr. Kelly questioned if these homeowners currently pay yearly sewer user fees to the Town. Mr. Piazza stated that they do pay user fees to the Town, although Dyno Nobel owns the sewers.
Mr. Piazza stated that if the WPCA would like to move forward with the preliminary estimate, a public hearing would not be needed at this time since Dyno Nobel owns the sewers.
Mr. Hickey questioned if there would be any financial impact to the homeowners. Mr. Piazza stated that there would not be any financial burden to the homeowner; Dyno Nobel would be paying the costs.
Mr. Kelly questioned if there were any potential projects that might be competing for sewer assessment funds. Mr. Piazza stated that there are no potential projects at this time.
Mr. Piazza stated that it would be his recommendation to move forward with the preliminary cost estimate for this project in 3 phases.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to move forward with the preliminary estimate for the Woodland Street area project. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. DISCUSSION – AVON INTER-TOWN AGREEMENT – CLIMAX ROAD AREA
Mr. Piazza stated that Town staff has been discussing the Inter-Town Agreement with the Town of Avon for the Climax Road development. Once the Agreement is complete, it will need to go to the WPCA and the Town Attorney for approval. If there is a consensus, the WPCA could motion to approve Tom Roy and himself to negotiate with the Town of Avon and then bring it to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the WPCA for final approval.
Mr. Hickey made a motion to authorize Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, and Tony Piazza, Superintendent, to negotiate the Avon Inter-Town Agreement for the Climax Road development and work with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Simsbury WPCA and the Town Attorney for final approval. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that the final inspection has been done for the sewer line at Murphy’s Turn. The Town has not accepted the road yet; the WPCA can accept the sewers one year after the road has been accepted. He stated that Highcroft has recently pulled permits for the third set of townhomes. Video inspections are still needed for the Ridge at Talcott Mountain.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the months of June, July and August. He stated that the overall operation and maintenance budget was down 4% from the prior year. Staff has inventoried all Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) in preparation for replacement. The current PLC’s are obsolete and parts are no longer available. The replacement PLC’s will allow for “plug and play” installation which will save on programming costs.
Mr. Piazza stated that staff has started working 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.
Regarding the plant water system, Mr. Piazza stated that this capital project has been bid and awarded to Carlsen Systems. The new system is being constructed at this time at the factory. Once on site, plant staff will complete the installation.
Mr. Piazza stated that they have advertised for a plant operator position; interviews will be conducted in the coming weeks. The Inspector position has been filled by an employee who is currently finalizing projects with the public works department. Once the projects are completed, Jim Corley will transfer back to the WPCF.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mr. Piazza to Carlsen Systems, LLC regarding the notice of award for the plant water system; and a letter from Mr. Piazza to the Town of Manchester Sanitation Division for the plant’s special waste permit renewal.
8. JUNE MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Hickey made a motion to approve the June 13, 2019 minutes as written. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Kelly abstained.
9. ADJOURN
Mr. Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
_________________________
Michael Park, Acting Chairman