WPCA Meeting Minutes 3/10/2022
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 10, 2022
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:05 p.m. via a virtual Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Jay Sheehan, Ed Kelly, Tom Hickey, Lucian Dragulski and Jacques Brignac. Also present were Michael LeClaire, Assistant Superintendent, Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore stated that people should be aware that the bears will be coming out of hibernation soon. Also, springtime is here and before heading out on bicycles, it is good to have routine maintenance done every few years.
3. SEWER USE FEES FOR FY 2022/23 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE
Mr. Roy stated that he and Mr. Piazza looked at the larger expenditures over a 6-year period as well as looking at the reserve and assessment funds. Based upon the current projections, their recommendation would be to not increase the Facility Connection Charge and the sewer use rates, although they do have two proposed additions to the fee structure. One would be a fats, oil and grease registration fee, which they would recommend setting at $50 biannually. The second would be for the industrial permit fee, which they would recommend an initial fee of $100 for a 5-year period. Labor rates might also have the potential to increase because of increased labor costs and because staff only goes out in emergency cases, which would be at the time and a half rate.
Mr. Kelly questioned what the State charged for the industrial permit fee when they were in charge of it. Mr. Hickey questioned if the State’s fee was for a 5-year period as well. Mr. Roy stated that he is unsure what the State charged, although it was for a 5-year period. Mr. Gilmore asked that the State’s fee amount be confirmed prior to the next meeting.
Mr. Sheehan stated that according to the State’s website under the environmental permitting fact sheet for discharge of wastewater from industrial users to a publicly owned treatment works, the registration fee was $3,125 for less than 10,000 gallons and $6250 for more than 10,000 gallons. He stated that the Town setting their fee at $100 is a huge change. Mr. Kelly questioned how much work is involved. Mr. Roy stated that towns are still trying to understand the program since the State has given them no guidance nor have they given them any of their records.
Mr. Gilmore stated his concerns regarding having a public hearing in April since they are not certain what the dollar amount should be for the industrial permit registration. The Authority members agreed to table this agenda item.
4. FARMINGTON RIVER WATERSHED – REQUEST TO USE WPCF LAB
Mr. Roy stated that a number of years back, the Town opened up the lab at the treatment plant for the Farmington River Watershed (FRW) in order for them to run some of their samples. Over time, they were using the lab more and more; sometimes they were in the lab 4 days per week. Since Covid 19, the Farmington River Watershed has not been allowed into the lab for their own use. They are now requesting permission to come back to use the lab. Mr. Roy stated that although there are no issues with that request, Town staff would recommend the following provisions: a limit of 2 persons in the lab from FRW at any one time; that they would be allowed use of the lab between the months of June and September; they would be allowed use of the lab for no more than 3-4 days per week; they would avoid impacting the daily operations of the lab by Town staff; they would need to have their own insurance and Hold Harmless Agreement in place; the Town would not be sharing any equipment, with the caveat that if the Town’s or the Farmington River Watershed’s equipment went down, they would help one another while waiting for a replacement/repair; and that the WPCA would ask the Farmington River Watershed for some level of promotion/public acknowledgement, possibly on their website, that the WPCA is doing this to help the FRW.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if the use of the lab would be free of charge for the Farmington River Watershed as well as if they would need to be vaccinated. Mr. Roy stated that there is no charge and since there is no requirement for Town staff to be vaccinated, as well as unknown vaccination status of outside vendors coming in, this would not be a requirement. Mr. Roy stated that a provision could be put in the agreement that health and safety measures would need to be abided by.
Mr. Gilmore stated his concern regarding not wanting to expose staff in the lab, although if the Town does not require employees to be vaccinated or tested to enter the building, he would be unsettled to set a policy of an invitee that is not required for an employee. He suggested the Town could state that they have the right to set rules or polies that are related to health and safety for anyone using the lab. Mr. Sheehan stated that he agrees with having an agreement with the Farmington River Watershed because of the liability.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if legal counsel would draw up the agreement. Mr. Roy stated that the Town Attorney will be drafting the agreement.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the Farmington River Watershed’s request for access and use of the WPCF lab subject to entering into an agreement that is satisfactory in all respects to legal counsel and the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority and that is signed by and binding upon the Farmington River Watershed. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that work at Dyno Nobel has been temporarily stopped because of issues associated with easements and ROW in regard to the abandoned DOT railroad. The permits are expected in the next few days. In terms of the Woodland Street part of this project, the contractor will be starting back up in about 2 weeks. The project continues to trend well with budget and schedule; the project should be completed by July 1st.
Mr. Roy stated that he and Mr. Piazza had a very productive meeting with the residents of the Pine Hill Homeowner’s Association. They will be providing them with a revised cost estimate, which they will submit to the Homeowner’s Association for a vote. They will need a 2/3 majority vote within their HOA to move forward. If they receive the vote, the Town will be requesting that they sign a Letter of Agreement with the Town so they would have the same power of authority for this board as they would for any sanitary sewer assessment. The construction for this project, if it moves forward, would most likely be in the summer of 2023.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. LeClaire stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of February. He stated that staff is continuing their work with AECOM for the update of the Water Pollution Control Plan, the Water Pollution Control Facilities Plan, analysis of the protective berm with the updated flood plain mapping, and an update on the phosphorous removal plan. The draft copy of the plan has been received and is being reviewed by staff; a meeting has been set up for March 15th to review corrections.
Regarding sewer lining, Mr. LeClaire stated that the lining of the Tunxis Pump Station is expected to be completed in the spring along with more lines in Tariffville. The secondary clarifier launder covers project has been completed with no issues noted.
Mr. LeClaire stated that the initial interviews were completed for the open operator position; both candidates declined the position. Additional applicants are being evaluated and interviews will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Mr. Roy stated that a question came in from a homeowner who is in the process of selling their home which is on a rear lot on Hopmeadow Street. The house is approximately 400FT from Route 10 and due to the grade, if they were to connect to the sewer, they would need to install both a 400FT long lateral as well as a pump. Since they have adequate room to put in a new septic system, they are requesting a variance from the WPCA to allow them to have a fully engineered septic system instead of connecting to the sewer to avoid both the hardship of the long lateral and pump. The seller is looking for this waiver in order to present both options to the buyer.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if the cost of connecting to the sewer with a pump was substantially greater than the cost of the engineered septic system. Mr. Roy stated that he believes the cost would be comparable, although the hardship would be the long-term cost and maintenance of the pump.
Mr. Kelly questioned if the WPCA Regulations would allow them to approve this type of waiver. The Authority members agreed to look at what the regulations say and discuss this next month with a written request from the homeowner.
7. CORRESPONDENCE – None.
8. NOMINATIONS FOR CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mr. Dragulski made a motion to nominate Mr. Sheehan for Vice Chairman of the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Dragulski made a motion to nominate Mr. Gilmore for Chairman of the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
9. FEBRUARY MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the February10, 2022 meeting minutes as written. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Hickey abstained.
10. ADJOURN
Mr. Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Mr. Kelly seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman