WPCA Minutes 12/10/15
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2015
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairman Paul Gilmore 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: Loren Shoemaker, Michael Park, Ed Kelly 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.
3. PUBLIC HEARING – UPGRADE OF SANITARY SEWER FOR MAPLE COURT AREA
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. The purpose of this hearing is to review a proposal, and possibly take action, for upgrading the sanitary sewers, which serve 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 Maple Court; 1, 5 & 9 Old Mill Lane; 82, 86, 88 & 90 West Street; and 17 Firetown Road, Simsbury, CT. All interested property owners shall have the opportunity to appear and be heard.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Paul Gilmore, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Gilmore read the legal notice.
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Roy stated that the Town of Simsbury operates and maintains the treatment facility, which has a 3.8 MGD capacity; 5 pump stations; 85 miles of sewer lines; and 2,300 manholes. The service area includes Simsbury and portions of Avon and Granby, who are co-owners of the treatment facility and participate in debt reduction and O&M funding. Mr. Roy stated that the WPCA is the sole decision making authority for sewer installations; finances are solely supported by user fees. These fees include the facility connection charge and an annual sewer use fee.
Mr. Roy stated that sewer extensions are usually facilitated by an order from the State Health Department or DEEP; by a developer for a new development within the sewer use area; or by a neighborhood request. This project is a bit different in that this would be an upgrade to an existing private sewer system. Funding for these projects is through a revolving sewer assessment fund. As new projects are constructed, or in this case upgraded, homeowners are assessed their portion of the cost to repay the sewer assessment fund. These assessments can be finance over 10 years through the WPCA.
Mr. Roy showed a map which depicted the existing and proposed sewers. He stated that upgrading this system would require digging up the entire street. The street would be restored curb to curb; this cost has already been included in the cost estimates. He stated that easements would be needed from several homeowners for the main lines. Easements are needed in order for the Town to have the legal right to maintain these lines.
Regarding the project details, Mr. Roy stated that if this project was approved, the construction would start in the summer of 2016 and should be completed that fall. The cost estimate for the project is approximately $150,000, which would be divided equally between the 14 property owners. This would equal an assessment of approximately $10,650 to each of the homeowners, although the assessment could be paid over a ten year period, which would equate to approximately $90 per month for ten years.
Mrs. Farrell, 88 West Street, questioned if the roads would be repaved with the existing footprint. Mr. Roy stated that the repaved roads would keep the same edge line. Mr. Farrell questioned what would happen with the existing sewer lines. Mr. Roy stated that the sewers that currently run behind the properties would be disconnected and filled. The existing roadway sewer lines would be removed and replaced. Mr. Roy stated that as part of this project, the Town would also be replacing the laterals up to a few feet away from the house foundations.
Mr. Hodkin, 7 Maple Court, questioned how the connection would be made. Mr. Piazza stated that a fernco would be used, which is a permanent connection that meets industry standards. Mr. Gilmore questioned if the Town would be getting a license in order to go on private property to do this work. Mr. Roy stated that there is a small amount of money in the cost estimates that could be used for this. Mr. Hodkin questioned if an easement would also be needed for the main sewer line and if insurance coverage from the Maple Court HOA was needed. Mr. Roy stated that easements would be needed. Also, the contractor, which the Town will hire, will be fully insured.
Ms. Hertel, 5 Maple Court, questioned how long the construction phase would take if this project was approved. Mr. Roy stated that it would be approximately 8 week to complete the entire project, although that is subject to the weather as well as the hired contractor. He stated that the Town will put the project out for public bid; the Town will pick the lowest responsible bidder.
Mr. Jasminski, EB Realty, questioned if the sewers could be put on an angle to possibly serve the basements. He stated that this would give the homeowners the flexibility of putting a bathroom in the basements if they desired. Mr. Piazza stated that this would depend on the main line; he has not checked the elevations yet. Historically, basements have been served when feasible.
Mr. Cook, 3 Maple Court, stated that his sewer and lateral goes out through his backyard. He questioned what his responsibility would be. Mr. Roy stated that the Town would replace the lateral to continue to serve the house through the back, although the homeowner would have the option, at the owner’s expense, to change the plumbing inside of the house in order to go out the front.
Mr. Hertel, 5 Maple Court, questioned if the contractor would need a bond. Mr. Roy stated that a performance bond would be needed.
Ms. Farrell, 88 West Street, questioned when the homeowners would be legally bound to pay the assessment. Mr. Piazza stated that the homeowners would be bound if the WPCA makes a motion to go forward with the project.
Mr. Feierabend, 9 Old Mill Lane, stated that Maple Court is a different association from Old Mill Townhomes. He asked that the WPCA consider pro-rating the assessments so they would not have to pay for the repaving of the road. Mr. Cook stated that Old Mill Lane has been flowing through the Maple Court system and has benefited from the maintenance for many years that the Maple Court HOA has paid for. Mr. Gilmore stated that the Authority may be able to look at this as two separate projects. Mr. Piazza stated that although these are two difference associations, they are all owned by Ensign Bickford.
Mr. Piazza stated that there is a section of Old Mill Lane, approximately 300 feet that will be torn up to extend the sewers. Mr. Miller, Old Mill Court, questioned if this part of the road would be repaved as well. Mr. Piazza stated that most likely, it will be repaved. Mr. Miller also stated that there will be, approximately, a 10 percent greater load put on the system. Mr. Roy stated that the proposed 8 inch pipe has a significant amount of capacity and will be able to handle this flow.
Mr. Hodkin questioned if 17 Firetown Road could opt out of this project because they could hook up to Firetown Road. Mr. Piazza stated that the owners of 17 Firetown Road recently replaced their line and chose not to run it out to Firetown Road, but to keep it connected to the Maple Court area.
Mrs. Farrell questioned if there were any contingencies in place in case there were any issues with the project. Mr. Roy stated that there is a small amount for contingencies factored into the preliminary cost estimates; the final cost is what will be assessed equally to each homeowner. If they run into an extraordinary issue, the WPCA would come back to the homeowners.
Mr. Gilmore took a straw poll of the residents in attendance for the project as proposed. There were six homeowners in favor of the project and 1 homeowner against the project.
Mr. Hickey made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Shoemaker stated that this project is to upgrade and replace a failing sewer system. He stated that this is one of the most economical projects he has seen, which also includes repaving the road. He feels that this project will increase the value of the homes, although this will be a lien on the property.
The Authority had a short discussion regarding making this two separate projects. Mr. Roy stated that if these were separate projects, there would need to be two bids and two separate contractors, which would increase the administrative costs as well as legal costs.
Mr. Gilmore stated that he would be in favor of deferring action until the costs are known for separate projects.
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to defer a decision regarding the upgrade of the Maple Court area until next month, once they have more information on a dual approach, feasibility and debt load. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion.
Mr. Gilmore stated that if they will be bringing new information to the next meeting, there will be no public comment because the hearing has been closed. He suggested re-opening the public hearing and continuing it until January 2016.
Mr. Shoemaker withdrew his motion.
Mr. Kelly made a motion to re-open the public hearing and continue it until the January 2016 meeting in order to receive more information as well as possible public comment. Also, the continuation of this public hearing should be posted in a legal notice in the newspaper for proper notice. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. EXTENSION OF SANITARY SEWER FOR 318-331 BUSHY HILL ROAD - DISCUSSION
Regarding 318-331 Bushy Hill Road, Mr. Piazza stated that at last month’s public hearing, the Authority needed more information regarding the deferred assessment of $1,450. He stated that this was not a deferred assessment but a future cost assignment. He stated when the septic at 316 Bushy Hill Road failed, the FVHD ordered the homeowner to tie into the sewer system. The closest sewer was at Sydney Way; the sewer line was extended to allow that hookup. At the time of this extension, several other homeowners decided to connect as well. He stated that there was approximately 200 feet of non-frontage space; this cost was a future cost assignment to other potential homes that were able to connect if and when the sewer was extended. In summary, Mr. Piazza stated that the 200 foot extension cost was assigned back then to these four homes at 318-331 Bushy Hill Road. Mr. Roy stated that this is something that was historically done by Mr. Sawitzke when there was 200 feet, give or take, or more of sewer being installed that was not in front of the property.
Mr. Hickey made a motion to hold a public hearing on 318-331 Bushy Hill Road at the February 2016 meeting. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that there is no change on the status of Russell Lane. He stated that Andrew Drive is currently in the design phase and will hopefully go out to bid in March of 2016.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for November. He stated that the second bar screen and rag conditioner have been delivered and are in the process of being installed.
Regarding the Farmington River bank stabilization, Mr. Piazza stated that WPC staff continues to work with WMC Engineering to finalize all permit requirements and design for summer 2016 construction. Also, ESC has completed the upgrade of the HVAC controls for the operations building.
Regarding the Longview pump station, Mr. Piazza stated that Northeastern Communications completed the SCADA and controls installation for the station, although some minor programming remains. Included in the installation was a repeater station at the Bushy Hill fire station, which will allow for communications for future expansion in the West Mountain Road area.
Mr. Piazza stated that Town staff has finished the video inspection of the collection system in the center area sewers on Hopmeadow Street. Retreatment is needed for the roots that are still actively growing; this is still under warranty.
Regarding personnel, Mr. Piazza stated that the Town is actively looking for a replacement truck driver.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mr. Piazza to BMG Properties regarding the transfer of sewer allocation as well as a letter to T.J. Donohue regarding 34 Hopmeadow Street.
8. NOVEMBER 12, 2015 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to approve the November 12, 2015 minutes as written. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Kelly abstained.
9. POSSIBLE NOMINATION FOR CHAIRMAN
Dr. Park made a motion to nominate Mr. Gilmore for Chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Gilmore abstained.
The Authority members decided to wait to make nominations for Vice-Chairman until there is a full board present.
10. ADJOURN
Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
______________________
Paul Gilmore, Chairman