WPCA Minutes 11/14/2013
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2013
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, Ed Kelly and Jay Sheehan. Also present were Michael LeClaire, Acting WPC Superintendent, Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Alison Sturgeon, Clerk as well as other interested parties.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Richardson gave a safety brief noting that there are more than 19,000 appliance fires every year. A large number of those fires are from dishwashers.
Dr. Park made a motion to take the agenda items out of order. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
3. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT – M. LECLAIRE
Mr. LeClaire stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of October. He stated that there was a request from a homeowner at 581 Hopmeadow Street for services during working hours on October 5, 2013 and again on October 14, 2013. The homeowner was told that it was most likely a root problem in his lateral pipe. There was no need to file bypass reports with the State because it did not meet the threshold of five gallons for either occurrence.
Mr. LeClaire stated that the Tunxis pump station replacement project is at the punch list stage. Regarding the Wolcott pump station rehabilitation, all of the outside work has been completed except for the final grading. The contractor will be installing the fence fabric on November 14, 2013. Most interior work has been complete; they are waiting on the VFD’s. The work should be completed by January 2014.
Mr. LeClaire stated that the interview panel chose Donald Bordanaro Jr. as the new plant mechanic. He will be starting on November 18, 2013.
4. TAX RELIEF / PAYMENT OPTIONS
Mr. Richardson stated that the Authority occasionally gets requests or statements from people who will be financially burdened because of the construction of a new sewer extension. The Authority informs homeowners that there is a policy, although they would like to be able to better advise people of their options and what the qualifications would be. Although there is a standard for amortizing assessments and/or facility connection charges over a period of ten years, he does not believe there is a generic policy regarding deferral of assessments.
David Gardner, Town Assessor, and Colleen O’Connor, Tax Collector discussed tax relief and payment options with the Authority members.
Mr. Gardner distributed a handout that depicted charts of tax relief for the Town of Simsbury.
He stated that the main tax credits are for the elderly and disabled taxpayers as well as veterans. The relief for property taxes in Simsbury can be significant for some people if they qualify in terms of income, age, disability and military service. Ms. O’Connor stated that the Authority will need to come up with their own qualifications. Mr. Richardson stated that he would like their policy to be tied to something that already exists. Ms. O’Connor suggested for bookkeeping reasons, keeping the assessment fee together with the connection fee and not letting people defer one but not the other. Mr. Richardson felt it would be fine to defer an assessment but not the connection charge for people who do not want to hook up at that time, although knowing that the FCC would be due in full at the time of connection.
Ms. O’Connor stated that currently, when homeowners refinance, the assessment has to be paid off because it is a lien on the property.
Mr. Kelly stated that a trigger point is needed for deferrals. Mr. Richardson stated that discussions will need to be had regarding qualifications. Mr. Sheehan stated that there are State and local limits and qualifications. He asked the Town Assessor for Simsbury’s demographic information.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that a notice could be recorded in the land records attached to the property; this would not be a deferment so people could more easily refinance. The assessment could start when the homeowner wanted to connect. He also stated that the Authority could extend the amortization period from 10 to 15 years. Mr. Richardson stated that extending the amortization period, he feels, would not solve the problem.
The Authority will continue to discuss this issue at an upcoming meeting.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mr. Ritson regarding the FCC financing program for King’s Ridge Development, located at 144 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to accept the request for amortization of the Facility Connection Charge for King’s Ridge over a ten year period. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that test holes were done on Buttonwood Drive; no ledge rock was found. A revised preliminary construction cost estimate has been prepared. The estimated cost per home is $17,040.00 with the connection fee included and $12,945 without the connection fee included. The hearing for this sewer project could be held in January.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to hold a public hearing on January 9, 2014 for the Buttonwood
Drive sewer extension. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that homeowners on Hawks Lane, Flintlock Ridge and the easterly end of
Musket Trail have expressed interest in a sewer extension. He stated that there are 33 houses in
this area, ten of which expressed interest, are scattered around the neighborhood. The preliminary cost estimates are approximately $11,000. Mr. Sawitzke stated that this project will need a good deal of analysis. There is a possibility to get gravity flow, although there are a lot of elevation changes on this road. He suggested that if the Authority wants to proceed with this project, letters and/or interest cards be sent to homeowners to see how many people are interested in learning more. Mr. Richardson stated that the preliminary cost estimate should be stated in the letters. Mr. Sawitzke stated that prior to sending out letters, he will need to get details on the elevations of the houses.
Mr. Sheehan questioned how the soils were in this area. Mr. Sawitzke stated that he will look into this.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that both projects, Buttonwood Drive and Musket Trail, require new funding in the next budget cycle, which starts July 1, 2014.
7. OCTOBER 10, 2013 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Richardson suggested several edits to the minutes.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the October 10, 2013 minutes with changes. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Kelly abstained.
8. PROPOSED WPCA 2014 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
The Authority had a short discussion regarding changing the start time of WPCA meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They will continue this discussion when more members are present and, at that time, the schedule can be amended if needed.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the WPCA 2014 Meeting Schedule as written. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Richardson asked that the topic of the Dyno Nobel letter that was to be reviewed by the Town Attorney, be placed on the December agenda.
Mr. Sheehan stated that the first round of interviews have been done for Superintendent. He stated that the Superintendent will soon report to the Director of Public Works instead of the Town Engineer.
9. ADJOURN
Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Philip Richardson, Chairman