WPCA Meeting Minutes 10/12/2023
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING
October 12, 2023
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
There being a quorum present, Chairman Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held via Zoom and was streamed live on Facebook.
Present:
☒ Mr. Paul Gilmore ☐ Mr. Jay Sheehan
☒ Dr. Michael Park ☒ Mr. Jacques Brignac
☒ Mr. Lucian Dragulski ☒ Mr. Ed Kelly
☐ Mr. Tom Hickey
Also present was Anthony Piazza, Superintendent.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Chairman Gilmore noted that the meeting was being held fully remotely and reminded everyone that the most common place for accidents is in the home.
3. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that the Eagle Lane assessments are complete and went to the Tax Collector on October 12, 2023.
Mr. Piazza shared that the Pine Hill sewer replacement bids have come in. They are currently waiting on the homeowners’ association to approve additional funding, as the bids came in higher than originally anticipated. Chairman Gilmore asked Mr. Piazza to clarify the difference, which was $200,000 more than the original thought of $975,000; the lowest bid was $1,096,000. The difference can be attributed to bid specs that were included “just in case.” The HOA’s concern, overall, is that they don’t want a lawsuit coming to them, so they are holding a meeting in November to vote for the additional funding, just to be safe.
4. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza explained that there were no issues in the last month.
Mr. Piazza had several project updates:
- They are still waiting on the submittals for a new grit washer.
- The permit application is in and paid for. They are currently waiting on State comments/updates. Once received, they will have eight weeks to review changes prior to going into effect.
- There was a pre-bid meeting held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, for the primary clarifier. There will be a few contractors bidding. It closes at the end of the month.
- One new operator started last week and the second operator will be starting the first week of November. There were 57 applicants for the open administrative position, which they are reviewing now. Mechanic interviews will be scheduled next week.
Chairman Gilmore asked about the grit washer. Mr. Piazza explained what it is and how the Manchester Landfill closed, leaving Simsbury to transport grit to Fitchburg, Massachusetts currently at a much higher cost to us. The grit washer will wash all organics out of the material, so the remaining product will be like beach sand, which can be classified as a similar material as storm drain material, which is much easier to dispose of.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence.
6. PROPOSED WPCA 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Piazza amended the Memorandum for the Simsbury WPCA 2024 meeting schedule to correct the title from saying “2023” to “2024.”
Mr. Brignac made a motion to approve the Simsbury WPCA 2024 Meeting Schedule, as amended. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
7. SEPTEMBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the September 14, 2023, minutes as written. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. Chairman Gilmore abstained.
Mr. Kelly asked Mr. Piazza about extending hours for septic pumping companies to dump their tanks at the facility.
Mr. Piazza explained that the deadline is currently 3:15 PM, as staff end their day at 3:30 PM. This ensures someone is on site to catch it if there is a problem with the inflow building. However, there is a capital project planned for next year or the following to put in a septage receiving station, which will allow them to come in at any time, utilizing a swipe card system.
8. ADJOURN
Mr. Kelly made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Paul Gilmore
Chairman