WPCA Minutes 10/13/2016
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 2016
“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 7:03 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Loren Shoemaker, Lucian Dragulski, Jay Sheehan, and Tom Hickey. 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 reminded everyone to wear ear protection and safety gear when using leaf blowers during the fall season.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to take the agenda items out of order to discuss Correspondence next on the agenda. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
3. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Gilmore stated that Attorney Wise corresponded with the Town with a letter dated September 28, 2016; this letter has been referred to Simsbury’s Town Attorney who is in the process of evaluating this letter. The WPCA will be obtaining legal advice and council from the Town Attorney so they can best be informed as to how they should proceed. Mr. Gilmore stated that it appears Attorney Wise is seeking the following: a determination of allocation; to construct a sewer extension; and an amendment to the Avon/Simsbury agreement.
Attorney Wise stated that he was in attendance at the last WPCA meeting, thinking a request for allocation had been filed, although this was not the case. A formal request has recently been submitted. He stated that he was led to believe that once this was filed, they would be on the next agenda, although they are not on tonight’s agenda. He questioned if he has filed the correct information. Mr. Piazza stated that a response letter was sent, dated September 19, 2016 to Mansour Developers explaining there is a deficit in terms of allocation.
Attorney Wise questioned if a public hearing would be needed. Mr. Roy stated that the Town Attorney is looking into this. He stated that this is a unique situation in which the developer is providing an extension along Climax Road, although no other property owners are affected because all properties that could connect to the Climax extension are already being served by Evans Drive. Attorney Wise disagreed that the developer is providing a sewer extension.
Attorney Wise stated that his client has a letter from the Town of Avon agreeing to their proposal. He questioned what exactly the Avon/Simsbury Agreement stated. Mr. Gilmore stated that this Agreement is public record and available for review.
Attorney Wise questioned if the WPCA has discretion to grant waivers with respect to deficiencies in allocation. Mr. Gilmore stated that there is not a precedent regarding this issue. In the past when people have had deficient allocation for their property within the same section of the sewer collection system, they have acquired allocation from another landowner, although every case can be somewhat different. Mr. Sheehan stated that the Simsbury WPCA has been very consistent; they value equity and precedent.
Attorney Wise stated that he and his client have been requesting a copy of the Simsbury WPCA’s regulations in order to see what rules apply and how. He has been referred to the 1985 Flaherty Giavara Study, “Evaluation of the Sewage Collection System”. He stated that this is not a regulation. He questioned what zoning map the WPCA’s calculations are based on. He would assume it is prior to 1985.
The Authority members reviewed the rest of the correspondence, including a letter to People’s Choice regarding their restaurant expansion and FCC increase of $4,750; and a letter to the homeowner at 51 Long View Drive regarding the unusual amount of clean water coming from their lateral through the pump station.
4. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that an air and video test have been done and the laterals are in for the Andrew Drive sewer extension. He stated that the contractor, Red Door Homes, did hit more rock than was originally expected; the contracted price may go over by approximately 5%, although this would still be under the engineer’s estimate. Mr. Roy stated that 326 Bushy Hill Road is currently under design and will go out to bid in about 4-6 weeks, as should 560 – 573B Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Roy stated that they also continue to work with Maple Court and Old Mill Lane to establish easements; both condo associations needed to go to legal council to determine who has to sign off on the easements. Construction for this project should begin in the spring.
Mr. Roy stated that Massaco Street is currently under in-house design. Regarding Garden Homes, he stated that there have been some challenges for the developer getting past AT&T’s fiber optic line.
5. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for September. He stated that the UV will soon be shut down for the winter. One tank was drained last month and maintenance was done on the secondary clarifier. A full maintenance check was also done on the primary clarifiers.
Regarding the Farmington River bank stabilization, Mr. Piazza stated that the bid was awarded to Black and Warner Construction of Unionville. Construction is anticipated to start October 13, 2016; silt fence has already been installed. Mr. Roy stated that they are working with the Hazel Meadow Homeowner’s Association throughout this process; the contractor will only be coming in and out through the right-of-way to the south of the project, through the State DOT commuter lot.
Mr. Piazza stated that flow monitoring has been completed on the south drainage basins. Dave Prickett Consulting has started interpreting the data to establish the flow capacity available in the basin. Staff is obtaining water data from Avon Water and Aquarion Water to assist in the project. He stated that staff is also working with the Town highway division for street paving operations. Staff continues with cleaning of the system.
Mr. Piazza stated that operator, Joe Boruff, continues to be out on sick leave due to surgery; his potential return could possibly be the middle of October.
6. PROPOSED WPCA 2017 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
The Authority members reviewed the proposed 2017 meeting schedule. Mr. Sheehan stated that the proposed April meeting is during school vacation and they may not be able to get a quorum for the meeting.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the proposed WPCA 2017 meeting schedule with a change for the April meeting to take place on the first or third week in April, depending on if there were conflicts on these dates. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
7. SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to table the September 8, 2016 until the next meeting. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
8. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
______________________
Paul Gilmore, Chairman