WPCA Minutes 04/09/2015
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2015
“Subject to Vote of Approval”
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Philip Richardson called the regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Loren Shoemaker, Jay Sheehan and Paul Gilmore. Also present were Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, Anthony Piazza, Superintendent, Alison Sturgeon, Clerk, as well as other interested parties.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Richardson gave a safety brief about ticks noting that as the weather warms up, ticks will be out. He recommended that after walking in the woods or tall grass you check yourself to help avoid contracting Lyme disease. Pet owners should also check their pets frequently. As there were guests, he also noted the exits in case of an emergency.
3. MURPHY’S TURN - PRESENTATION
Paul Meehan stated that the existing house, barn and trees were taken down in order to start this development of five new homes off of Hildurcrest Drive. Approvals have already been received from other departments in Town. This cul-de-sac development will be on private wells and public sewers.
Mr. Meehan stated that the existing lateral for the original home was abandoned by Red Door Construction. He stated that boring tests were done in the middle of the proposed new road as well as cross country to the lateral. They found a sandy mix of reddish gravel, although no ledge was found. Mr. Meehan stated that they are proposing to tie into the existing manhole at the end of the original driveway, which will be by gravity. He believes the homes will be served through the basement, although he has not studied this enough to see if it could go under the footings.
Mr. Piazza stated that this development does not exceed its allocated sewer capacity.
Mr. Richardson queried the other Commissioners and confirmed that subject to approval by the Town Engineer and execution of the appropriate Developers Agreement, the Authority members were satisfied with these plans.
4. REVIEW OF 4 ANDREW DRIVE AND POSSIBLY SET PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Piazza stated that the homeowners at 4 Andrew Drive have requested to connect to the sanitary sewer. He stated that this home could tie into the sewer, although they would like the WPCA to consider extending the sewer in order to serve the whole street (11-12 houses).
Mr. Richardson stated that interest cards should be sent out; the Authority members agreed. He questioned that if this project is approved, when would construction begin. Mr. Roy stated that this project could possibly be done this year.
5. REVIEW/DISCUSSION ON INCREASING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SEWER SERVICE
The Authority members reviewed a FAQs sheet and made several edits to the document. Mr. Gilmore stated that he will re-draft this document with the edits discussed during the meeting.
6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that Russell Lane has been held up because of the need to obtain the easements. Construction should start in the fall. Regarding Seminary Road, he stated that this should be ready to go out to bid next month.
7. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for March. He stated that the operators have prepared the UV system for the seasonal startup as well as revising the lab testing schedule to comply with seasonal requirements.
Regarding the Farmington River bank stabilization, Mr. Piazza stated that WMC Consulting Engineers has received permitting for the project, although they continue to wait on the Army Corps of Engineers to approve the construction plans. Additional survey work and marking need to be completed to reestablish the wetland boundaries.
Mr. Piazza stated that ESC has started the electrical work for the VFD installation. Regarding the Tunxis Pump Station replacement, a new contractor is bench testing the SCADA controls and the upgrade should be complete by the end of April. A meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2015 to review outstanding punch list items for the Wolcott Pump Station rehabilitation.
Mr. Piazza stated that there are currently 8 establishments that are in violation for not having the required grease recovery unit installed. Three violators are past the 60 day period and 2 violators will be past due next week. A certified letter will be sent informing the businesses of the fine that will be imposed. Three of the eight locations have been in contact with the WPC and are currently working on installing the correct units.
Mr. Gilmore requested that the Town Attorney review the letter prior to it being sent out.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Piazza stated that Trinity Episcopal Church has applied for a de minimis discharge waiver. The church is requesting approval to not have to put in a grease recovery unit. He stated that the Town will need to inspect the site with a checklist from the State to determine if they could be approved for this request.
The WPCA reviewed a letter that was sent to the DEEP requesting that no process changes be approved to meet the requirements of Section 9 (A) (3), 9 (B) and 9 (C) of the NPDES permit.
Mr. Richardson made a motion to amend the agenda to add the discussion of sewer user rates. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Piazza stated that rates were last raised 3 years ago. He stated that approximately $200,000 a year is taken out of the Reserve Fund because of Capital expenditures. This year is no exception with the Farmington River bank stabilization.
In response to a question by Mr. Richardson, Mr. Piazza stated that the Town is averaging 10 connections per year, although several projects with larger connection fees have been amortized over ten years, so that money has not yet been received by the Town. Mr. Sheehan stated that their financial model is not currently working, he feels, because the assumption was that there would be approximately 70 connections per year.
Mr. Shoemaker questioned if the debt service could be refinanced. Mr. Sheehan stated that there is no early payment penalty. The current rate is 2% for 20 years.
Mr. Piazza distributed a spreadsheet regarding the past, current and projected 5 year WPC income. He stated that currently, the reserve fund is at $4.619 million, which will go down to $4.1 by the end of the year. There was a consensus by the WPCA that the user rates should not be raised for the next fiscal year. Mr. Gilmore suggested that this item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting in order to vote on it because it was not originally listed on the April agenda.
Mr. Piazza stated that there is a potential new development, Garden Homes, on the CL&P property. Their original design pumped up to Hopmeadow Street and flowed into Avon, although their revised design will go through the property and tie into the South Interceptor. The challenge the developer will bring before the WPCA, is that because they are developing the property in sections, the sewer capacity allocation is over what they are allowed on Parcel 1A. He stated that for the other parcels, it will need to be put on the land records that the allocation is being taken off of the other parcels and put onto Parcel 1A. Mr. Roy stated that this will ensure that future developers/owners of the remaining parcels know that the sewer allocation was reduced.
9. MARCH 12, 2015 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to approve the March 12, 2015 minutes as written. Mr. Gilmore seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Sheehan abstained.
10. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Philip Richardson, Chairman