Water Pollution Control Authority
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 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 7:04 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Michael Park, Jay Sheehan, 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. He also stated that during the cold and snowy weather, people need to be careful when using snow blowers as well as watching out for black ice.
3. PUBLIC HEARING – 88-94 SEMINARY ROAD SEWER ASSESSMENT
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
A public hearing will be held on the proposed sewer assessments for 88, 89, 90, 92 and 94 Seminary Road, Simsbury, CT, in connection with the Seminary Road (west end) sewer extension project on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm. in the conference room at the Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. Copies of the proposed assessments are on file at the Town Clerk’s Office. All affected property owners may appear and be heard.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Paul Gilmore, Chairman
Mr. Gilmore read the legal notice.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to open the public hearing. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Gilmore stated that the total project costs for this sewer extension project was $65,203. After subtracting the future downstream costs of $5,440, the adjusted amount is $59,763. Each property owner will be assessed $9,960.50. He stated that there is a deferred assessment, for the same amount of $9,960.50, for the potential rear lot at 170 Firetown Road. Mr. Gilmore reminded the residents of Seminary Road that this assessment does not include the Facility Connection Charge (FCC) of $4,095. He explained that the Simsbury Water Pollution Control is not funded by the tax payers, but by sewer users only. Mr. Sheehan stated that if the homeowner does not finance the FCC, it will need to be paid in full at the time of hookup.
Mr. Gilmore stated that the assessment can be financed through the Town over a ten year period, although this would be a lien on the property. If and when a homeowner refinanced their mortgage, the lender may make the homeowner pay off the lien at that time.
Mr. Carabillo, 89 Seminary Road, questioned how the Town will know how each homeowner would like to pay their assessment. Mr. Piazza stated that a letter will be sent out to each homeowner asking them how they would like to pay their assessment and FCC.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to close the public hearing. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to accept the costs as proposed for the sewer assessments for 88, 89, 90, 92 and 94 Seminary Road. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. PUBLIC HEARING (CONTINUED) – 318-331 BUSHY HILL ROAD SEWER EXTENSION
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday,
February 11, 2016, at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. The purpose of the hearing is to review a proposal, and possibly take action, for extending sanitary sewers to serve 318-331 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. All interested property owners shall have the opportunity to appear and be heard.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Paul Gilmore, Chairman
Mr. Gilmore read the legal notice.
Mr. Hickey made a motion to open the public hearing. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Roy stated that at the November meeting, the project that was presented to the homeowners was to provide sewer for 6 lots. He stated that with this option, 5 out of the 6 lots would require pumps. Including the cost of the assessment and the pump system, the total cost to those homeowners needing pumps would be $15,950.
Mr. Roy stated that after looking at several other options, they are presenting tonight, what they feel is a better option. He stated that by starting the sewer extension at 320 Bushy Hill Road and going south and crossing the road, this would allow all of the properties to be served by gravity; no pumps would be necessary. He stated that the buildable lots would not be charged unless or until the lot is developed. Mr. Roy stated that this option would also allow an additional 18 homes on Woodhaven and Merrywood to connect in the future as well. He stated that this option is more equitable because it is a larger project.
Mr. Roy stated that the construction costs would be approximately $141,500. Some of the costs would be deferred to the future hookups on Woodhaven to Oakhurst and Merrywood. He stated that with this plan, there will be 8 lots that can be served; the approximate total assessment for each homeowner would be $14,750. Although the costs for this option are slightly higher than what was presented in November, there is a cost savings because pump systems will not be needed.
Mr. Imse, 326 Bushy Hill Road, stated that there are more than 18 homes on Woodhaven and Merrywood. He questioned why more costs were not being deferred. Mr. Piazza stated that only the first three houses on Woodhaven would be included in this project as well as the houses on Merrywood. Mr. Imse questioned what formula was used in determining the deferred costs for future hookups. Mr. Roy stated that the length of pipe and manholes, which is taken from the cost estimates, is divided by the 18 homes for future hookups and the 8 homes that are a part of this project.
Mr. Imse stated his frustrations regarding the process of trying to connect to the sewers in Simsbury for over 10 years. He stated that this portion of Bushy Hill Road has become an island, with sewers all around them, but not close enough for them to connect. Also, he and his neighbors were never notified of the other sewer projects that went on around them. He feels that the Town has put a hardship on him and his neighbors. He stated that he is now looking for the best option possible in order to connect to the sewer system. He feels that this same project could have and should have been done at a lower cost years ago when the other surrounding sewers were put in.
Ms. Johnson, 320 Bushy Hill Road, questioned how the costs could increase when there are now 2 more houses added to this project in the plan that was presented tonight. Mr. Roy stated that there is an increase because it is now
a larger project going a longer distance. Mr. Piazza stated that the distance went from 200 feet of pipe to 1,300 feet.
Mr. Imse questioned, if approved, when the project would start. Mr. Piazza stated that the State DOT still needs to approve this plan. Mr. Roy stated that in order to allow for the State’s process and procedures, construction would start at the end of the construction season in 2016 or the Town may need to wait until 2017.
Mr. Piazza stated that, if approved and once the project is complete, homeowners can pay a contractor to connect their home to the sewer. This option would allow the homeowner to finance the assessment as well as the Facility Connection Charge (FCC) together over a ten year period through the Town. If the homeowner does not choose to connect at that time, the FCC cannot be financed through the Town and would need to be paid in full at the time of connection.
Mr. Gilmore took a straw poll of the residents in attendance at the meeting. The homeowners at 320 and 326 Bushy Hill were in favor of this project as presented tonight. The homeowner at 322 Bushy Hill Road stated that they did not feel they should vote because they were in the process of selling their house.
Dr. Park made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Sheehan stated his concerns regarding keeping track of deferred assessments. Mr. Piazza stated that there are 11 properties in Town with deferred assessments. He stated that they are currently putting together a list of properties that have future downstream cost assignments.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the sewer extension project to serve 318-331 Bushy Hill Road, as presented tonight. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. BUDGET FY 2016/2017 – DISCUSSION
Mr. Piazza stated that the overall budget for FY 2016/17 has an increase of approximately $50,000 because of insurance premiums and negotiated wage increases, etc. He reviewed the budget numbers for this upcoming fiscal year as well as the past several years with the Authority members.
Mr. Piazza stated that the capital, non-recurring items that are in the FY 2016/17 budget are the gate automation and a truck replacement. He stated that there are also items in the budget for a septage receiving station; a skidsteer for easement maintenance; DO controls for basins; and a storage building. Regarding the septage receiving station, Mr. Piazza stated that a cost analysis will be done.
6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that Cambridge Crossing on Hoskins Road has been approved for a development of 80 units behind the Sunrise convenience store. Also, Garden Homes, 20 Hopmeadow Street, has recently broke ground for construction.
Regarding Andrew Drive, Mr. Roy stated that the layout has been completed and is pending final review. Also, the surveyor is working on the easement documents for Maple Court.
7. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for January. Regarding plant process, the operators have started prepping for the upcoming disinfection season as well as finishing the programming of the new phosphorous analyzer.
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, he stated that the Town has hired AECOM to complete an updated review of the rate and FCC structure. This will provide analysis ensuring the WPCA funding is adequate for future needs and for maintaining the Sewer Use Fund at appropriate
levels.
Mr. Piazza stated that WPC staff continues with cleaning the system; currently one-third of the system has been flushed and one-third has been videoed. From this work, we will be able to create a rehabilitation plan for the Town.
Regarding personnel, Mr. Piazza stated that they have scheduled interviews for a replacement truck driver in the coming weeks.
8. CORRESPONDENCE – There were none.
9. JANUARY 14, 2016 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the January 14, 2016 minutes as written. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Kelly abstained.
Mr. Sheehan stated that a public hearing will be held on February 22, 2016 regarding a proposed ordinance amendment for land acquisition and preservation. He volunteered to go to this meeting to be an advocate for an exception for underground utilities.
Mr. Gilmore suggested forming a subcommittee to review and submit a position letter. Mr. Sheehan, Dr. Park and Mr. Gilmore volunteered to be on the subcommittee.
Dr. Park made a motion to appoint a subcommittee of three members to review and prepare a position statement to submit at the public hearing in order to make sure the concerns of the Water Pollution Control Authority are articulated and considered by the Town regarding this proposed ordinance amendment. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
10. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
______________________
Paul Gilmore, Chairman