WPCA Minutes 01/11/2018

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 11, 2018

“Subject to Vote of Approval”

1.             CALL TO ORDER

Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present:  Lucian Dragulski and Jacques Brignac.  Also present were Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.

2.             SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore gave a safety brief noting the exits in case of an emergency.

3.             BUDGET DISCUSSIONS

Mr. Roy stated that there are no major changes in the budget, although there are increases for salary from contractual obligations.  The Town is currently waiting on final numbers for insurance premiums; the budget is currently carrying a 5% increase for this.  He stated that there is what seems to be a large increase for disability insurance, which is the result from a lapse from 2 years ago when the Town did not increase the premiums appropriately; this is a catch up year. 

Mr. Roy stated that if they follow through on this budget as proposed, there will be a 1.44% increase in the budget over last year.  He suggested that the Authority vote on this budget at their February meeting.

Mr. Roy recommended keeping the sewer user rates the same for next fiscal year since there is sufficient capacity in the Reserve Fund to absorb the 1.44% budget increase.  If a rate increase is needed in FY 19/20, he believes it would be a modest increase.  

4.             STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.

Mr. Roy stated that the Hopmeadow Street sewer extension project has been completed.  They will be finalizing the numbers and will be set for the Authority to set an assessment hearing at next month’s meeting.  He stated that Maple Court has been put on hold for the winter.  Aquarion Water Company is interested in installing new water lines in conjunction with this project.  This will take some coordination on the Town’s part to make sure the restoration waits until Aquarion has finished their part in the project as well as the Town’s coordination to make sure Aquarion pays their appropriate fees for the additional restoration.

Mr. Roy stated that the work at 200 Hopmeadow Street has started; more work will continue when the weather breaks in the spring.

5.         TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT

Mr. Roy stated that all permit requirements were met for December.   The new security/ door access system has been installed and is almost fully operational.  Also, the #1 screenings conditioner compaction auger has been repaired and hardened.  The unit was reassembled and placed back into operation.

Mr. Roy stated that staff has created a draft policy statement for the authority to review and that they continue to work on the development of the flow allocation policy.  After a short discussion, the Authority members decided to have the Flow Allocation subcommittee meeting on Friday, January 26, 2018 in order to have an initial discussion prior to bringing their findings to the full Authority.

6.         CORRESPONDENCE

The Authority members reviewed a letter from Tony Piazza to Nelson Construction regarding the facility connection charge for Highcroft Apartment Homes Phase II.

7.         DECEMBER 14, 2017 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

The December 14, 2017 minutes were tabled until the next meeting because of a lack of a quorum.

8.         ADJOURN

Mr. Dragulski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.  Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

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Paul Gilmore, Chairman