WPCA Minutes 03/11/2021
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 11, 2021
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Gilmore called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:04 p.m. via a virtual Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Jay Sheehan, Michael Park, Jacques Brignac, Tom Hickey and Lucian Dragulski. Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent, Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works, and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore stated that he received his first Covid vaccine shot. While in the waiting area for shot recipients, he noticed that social distancing rules were being violated. He stated that while we are in the “home stretch” of Covid, everyone should continue to be mindful of the rules. It is time to be extra vigilant and for people to keep their guard up; this is the key to keeping yourself and everyone around you safe.
3. RECEIVING SEPTIC FROM OTHER TOWNS (TOWN CODE SEC. 130-28)
Mr. Gilmore stated that there are several septage haulers who are looking to deposit waste at the Simsbury treatment plant that are outside the State of Connecticut. He has reviewed the Town Code, which specifies the specific towns where they can receive waste from, although it does not say other towns have to be within the State. He is not aware of any State laws or regulations relating to either the transportation or the disposal of septage that originates outside of the State. Mr. Piazza stated that he does not know of any State law that would prohibit this. He has reviewed the past year of hauler tickets and approximately 48% of septage comes from other towns, 7% of which comes from out of state.
Mr. Roy stated that the Town certainly has a responsibility to know where the septage is coming from. Accepting septage is a great service to the community, but at the same time they also want to encourage people to connect to the sewer. He stated that the Authority members could consider a possible discount for residents who are having their septic systems pumped and brought to the treatment plant, if in fact this board agrees to accept septage from other towns.
Mr. Dragulski questioned what the impact of the septage waste was to the capacity of the plant. Mr. Piazza stated that the impact is minimal. They have received 2 million gallons over the last 9 months.
Mr. Gilmore stated that most septage haulers are small business owners who are trying to generate revenue while minimizing expenses. He feels that the haulers should be allowed to dump septage from any town in order to maximize their efficiencies. He does not see any downside to letting these haulers dump what they already have been dumping there for years.
Mr. Brignac questioned what the economic advantage of accepting septage would be. Mr. Piazza stated that the revenue is approximately $500,000 per year. Mr. Roy stated that financially, this supports the fact that it is beneficial; septage brings in approximately ¼ of the operating budget.
Mr. Sheehan asked that Mr. Piazza look at what the surrounding towns that accept septage are charging in order to give the Authority members a benchmark. He stated that sometimes septage can cause problems in regard to the loading since it is high in BOD and other chemicals. He agrees that this is a great revenue stream as well as a good service to its users.
There was a short discussion regarding giving residents of Simsbury, Avon and Granby discounts for dumping their septage, although it was unclear how residents would see these discounts since the discount would be given through the septage hauler. Mr. Brignac stated that he would like to see a big discount given to the residents of Simsbury, Avon and Granby.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if the Town Code would require the Authority to designate the towns that they would accept septage from. Mr. Roy stated that the Authority might want to consider a certain radius instead of naming communities. Mr. Gilmore stated that the Code requires, “such other towns that may be designated by the Authority”. Mr. Sheehan suggested accepting counties, which would include all towns within that county.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the acceptance of septage from all towns in Hartford and Litchfield counties in Connecticut and Hampden county in Massachusetts. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. SEWER LIEN DISCUSSION – POSSIBLE ACTION
Mr. Piazza stated by State Statute, any lien that is older than 15 years old is unenforceable. He stated that they currently have one unenforceable lien that was taken out in September of 1980 for $1,500, which after years of non-payment and interest, is now $13,000. He read State Statue Chapter 205, Section 12-175 to the Authority members, “…Any tax lien upon private property which has been recorded in the land records of any town for more than fifteen years from the due date of the tax shall be invalid, and such property shall be free from the encumbrance of such lien, unless an action of foreclosure has been commenced during such period of fifteen years”. Mr. Piazza stated that the sewer lien is a tax lien as far as state government is concerned. He stated that this does not affect any deferred assessments.
Mr. Piazza stated that more research will be done prior to the Authority members taking any action.
Mr. Gilmore questioned if there were any other liens that are approaching the 15-year mark. Mr. Piazza stated that there are currently 5 delinquent sewer liens, one of which will be unenforceable within 5 years.
Mr. Gilmore questioned what has been done to try to collect these delinquent accounts. Mr. Piazza stated that the Tax Office sends out delinquent notices to these residents.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that there was a design meeting today with the engineer for the Woodland Street project. Final design should be completed within the next few weeks, which will be forwarded to the State for their approval. He is hopeful that bids will go out in early May since construction rates are currently very favorable.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of February. Replacement of the SCADA Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) has been completed. With the cost savings from completing the installation with staff, they will be replacing the PLC’s for the belt filter press and the odor control system as well. These PLC’s are reaching the end of life; they were not included in the original project because they are non-critical and lower cost.
Mr. Piazza stated that staff continues to 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.
Regarding the secondary clarifier launder covers, Mr. Piazza stated that this project was advertised for bid with a closing date of March 25th. The covers are expected to be installed in the summer of 2021.
Mr. Piazza stated that staff has mailed out registration forms for the miscellaneous industrial user permit to all businesses in Simsbury. Staff is finalizing the list of all remaining industrial users in Avon and Granby. Once finalized, letters will be sent to those businesses in Avon and Granby for registration.
Mr. Piazza stated that Jim Corley, WPC Inspector recently resigned. Interviews were done for the two operator vacancies. They will be doing a candidate search for the inspector position soon, although they will first be changing the job description prior to advertising.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
There was none.
8. FEBRUARY MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the February 11, 2021 minutes as written. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was approved. Dr. Park abstained.
Mr. Piazza stated that the Town refinanced the Clean Water Fund loan and received an interest rate of .31%. This will save the Town just under $400,000 over the remaining life of the new loan.
9. ADJOURN
Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman