WPCA Minutes 11/12/2020
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:03 p.m. via a virtual Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Tom Hickey, Jay Sheehan, Michael Park, Jacques Brignac, Ed Kelly and Lucian Dragulski. Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent, Thomas Roy and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore stated that Connecticut had their first snowfall in October. He gave a safety brief asking everyone to exercise caution when using snow blowers.
3. DISCUSSION: GENERAL PERMIT FOR DISCHARGES FROM MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL USERS (MIU GP)
Mr. Piazza stated that the State used to take care of the industrial permits program. All industrial users had to file with the State; they were supposed to file with the treatment plants at the same time, although this did not always happen. He stated that the State did not maintain a good database for these industrial users and has now put the onus on each treatment plant to ensure all industrial users are registered with the Town. All industrial users will need to register with the Town by 1/28/2021.
Mr. Piazza stated that each Town is responsible for any discharge notifications from these users; enforcement if an industrial user is in violation of the permit; as well as determining who is required to register. In terms of Simsbury’s best approach for this task, he has reached out to other municipalities to see how they are handling this. The WPC inspector will also require a lot of additional training.
Regarding fees, Mr. Piazza stated that they will need to determine and set a registration fee as well as to set a fee structure for possible additional fees (i.e. violations).
Mr. Roy stated that the challenge will be getting all industrial users to register with Simsbury WPC, including those users that have flow coming from Avon and Granby. He stated that the inter-municipal agreements may need to be modified.
Mr. Sheehan stated that the reason for this program is to prevent bad discharges from going to the plant, killing the biology, which would result in bad discharges to the Farmington River.
The Authority members had a short discussion regarding permit/registration fees. Mr. Gilmore stated that the fee structure needs to be equitable, transparent as well as defendable, so that they can implement a fee structure in advance of when they will be incurring the costs.
4. DISCUSSION: FY 21-22 CAPITAL PROJECTS
Mr. Piazza discussed the six year capital plan, which included the remaining sewer lining as well as the Tunxis pump station force main lining, at a cost of approximately $700,000; the replacement of the HVAC unit; as well as approximately $100,000 for roof safety railings. He stated that the grit system upgrade continues to be pushed to the next year since the State has not yet mandated this. The protective berm around the plant will also need to be budgeted for. David Pricket Consulting continues to work on the grant application. The State would pay for 75% of the berm, if the Town is awarded the grant. He stated that $600,000 has been earmarked for this work.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that there is a proposed development off the end of West Mountain Road and Bushy Hill Lane. It is a 5 acre parcel. This development will be similar to the Climax Road extension. He stated that they will be meeting with DPC regarding the Woodland Street project design hopefully within the next month.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the months of October. He stated that staff has shut down the UV disinfection system for the season. Staff has also completed and passed the annual Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Analysis (DMRQA).
Mr. Piazza stated that staff continues with the replacement of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). They are coordinating with the computer integrator from Tighe & Bond for installation. At this time Building 6 PLC still needs to be upgraded and will be completed during November. 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.
Regarding the secondary clarifier launder covers, Mr. Piazza stated that staff is working with Tighe & Bond to create a bid document for the covers. It is expected to have the covers installed in the spring of 2021
James Silva of Silva Engineering, LLC performed a structural analysis of the primary clarifiers prior to commencing the upgrade of the mechanical systems. We are still waiting for the final report of the inspection. The main issue found is on the east tank, a section of the exterior wall is leaning in. This issue was also found during the plant upgrade in 2006 and a repair was made at that time. We will be investigating the repair that was made to see if the condition has gotten worse since then. We are looking at multiple options for the potential repair including the possibility of decommissioning the tanks since they have not been used since 2012.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The WPCA members reviewed a letter from Mr. Piazza to Michael Glidden, Director of Planning regarding the plan review for 9-15 Albany Turnpike. An inter-municipal agreement will be needed with the Town of Canton to provide for future flows from the building.
8. OCTOBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Gilmore made one edit to the October 8, 2020 minutes.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the October 8, 2020 minutes as amended. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
9. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman