WPCA Meeting Minutes 01/12/2023
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2023
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. via a Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Tom Hickey, Michael Park, Lucian Dragulski, and Jacques Brignac. Also present were Anthony Piazza, Superintendent, Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, and Alison Sturgeon, Administrative Secretary.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore stated that everyone should be careful and exercise common sense when operating snow removal equipment.
3. 10 MASSACO STREET, APT P / ELDERLY RELIEF – UNDER REVIEW BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Gilmore stated that he spoke with the Town Attorney regarding this matter. The WPCA can establish a relief and optional method for payment of sewer use fees for the elderly in Simsbury. There is a State Statute that empowers a town to do this, although it would require that an Ordinance bring this into effect. There is an existing Town Ordinance, although it does not cover sewer use fees.
Mr. Gilmore stated that the Town Attorney could request the Board of Selectmen amend the current ordinance to provide for relief for sewer use fees. The Town Attorney can draft a resolution that the WPCA could send to the Board of Selectmen if they decide to move forward.
Mr. Piazza stated that if the Board of Selectmen approves the elderly relief, the WPCA would need to add this to their Sewer Use Billing Policy, which would require a public hearing. Mr. Roy stated that the Board of Selectmen would require a public hearing as well to amend an ordinance, which would take two meetings to accomplish.
A straw poll was taken of the Authority members regarding moving this forward to the Board of Selectmen. All members of the Authority were in favor.
4. BELDEN FOREST COURT CONDOMINIUMS – CONTINUED DISCUSSION
Mr. Piazza stated that he has an email from the Town Attorney regarding changing any sewer use billing, which read, “Given the original policy was adopted after a public hearing, any amendment that includes material revisions to the policy should also be subject to a public hearing”. Mr. Piazza stated that if the WPCA wanted to change the Sewer Use Billing Policy, it would need to go through the public hearing process.
Mr. Hickey stated that he is not sure he sees a need to change the current situation. Mr. Gilmore stated that they are condominiums that are individually owned; there is only one water meter that serves the building. They are living in small units and they claim to be resource challenged, although proof of that is not required. It seems to be devising a rule that categorizing something that is a quasi-commercial use based upon the number of meters. He stated that he is having a hard time seeing that as solid reasoning. He is unsure if it would be fundamentally appropriate to change the policy. It was stated that if this is based upon individual units, some of the units would qualify for commercial billing and some would not.
Mr. Piazza stated that the elderly relief part of the change in the ordinance should apply to 90% of people living at Belden Forest Court Condominiums. There is also a disability aspect to it as well.
Mr. Roy stated that these condominiums are truly functioning as an apartment building. If this complex was labeled an apartment, they would be billed on water usage. Other than the potential administrative burden, if they use water use as the determining factor for the fee, no money will be lost. It is just a different way of measuring the service being provided. Mr. Dragulski stated that if they are being billed by water use, which is done for non-residential customers, then the elderly relief would not apply. He believes they should be given the non-residential status.
Mr. Piazza stated that this complex is unique; there are no other complexes like this in Simsbury.
Mr. Gilmore stated that although he would like to help the people of Belden Forest since they are most likely resource challenged, they could get relief through the ordinance the Town most likely will be amending.
Mr. Hickey questioned if it would be possible for this building to exist with new construction, with the way that it is currently set up. Mr. Piazza stated that by the WPCA’s existing policy, if it was individually owned units, it will be individually billed.
Mr. Roy stated that the Belden Forest Association does have keys to all of the individual units and they take out resident’s trash, etc. There is a high level of service at this complex; it is not a traditional condominium complex. The challenge is how to define it.
After more discussion, Mr. Gilmore questioned if the Authority members wanted to move forward with a public hearing to change the policy based upon if a single meter qualifies individually owned condos that are housed within a single structure to be subject to water usage instead of being billed by EDU. The other option is to have the owners of this complex await the adoption of the elderly relief ordinance.
There was a consensus among the Authority members to table this item until the next meeting.
5. FY 23/24 BUDGET – DISCUSSION
Mr. Piazza went over the FY 23/24 budget, including what was spent in 2022, what was requested in 2023 and what will be requested for 2024. He stated that most of the changes in the budget are for things that they have no control over, such as salaries, workers compensation, insurance, HVAC contracts, etc. The biggest increases will be for electrical costs and refuse disposal. The total budget increase is 11.2%, not including capital projects. With CIP, the increase would be 24%. The capital projects include: the primary clarifier project/study; sewer lining; a grit removal system; and an update to the polymer delivery system.
Mr. Dragulski made a motion to approve the FY 23/24 budget as presented. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that the Eagle Lane sewer extension is almost complete. He stated that three of the four residents would like to connect once completed.
7. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of December. Manchester Landfill is no longer accepting special waste from any wastewater treatment plant. Simsbury grit disposal is now being brought to a waste management facility in Fitchburg, MA. Staff is creating a bid specification for a new grit washer which will allow this material to be classified as a municipal waste to allow for easier disposal.
Regarding the sewer lining, Mr. Piazza stated that Granite InLiner will be returning in January to complete the lining of several sections of pipe that were unable to be done due to access issues. Staff will be reviewing the completed sections to determine any future needs.
Mr. Piazza stated that Weston and Sampson has completed the initial analysis of the clarifiers to determine what actions need to be taken to ensure the tanks can be ready for future use.
8. CORRESPONDENCE – None.
9. DECEMBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the December 8, 2022 minutes as written. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Gilmore abstained.
10. ADJOURN
Mr. Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman