WPCA Minutes 05/10/2018
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 10, 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 7:04 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Water Pollution Control Facility, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Michael Park, Lucian Dragulski, Tom Hickey, and Ed Kelly. Also present were Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works; Anthony Piazza, Water Pollution Control Superintendent; and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore gave a safety brief noting the exits in case of an emergency.
3. ASSESSMENT FOR 560-573B HOPMEADOW STREET – ACTION NEEDED
Mr. Piazza stated that staff met with Town Attorney DeCrescenzo who advised the WPCA to set assessments as they see fit. There is an appeal process for anyone who would like to appeal their decision. Attorney DeCrescenzo provided a sample deferred assessment as well, which states that deferred assessments do not get charged until the property is connected into the sewer system. This document gets recorded on the land records.
Mr. Kelly questioned if benefited properties were recorded on the land records as well. Mr. Piazza stated that they are not on the land records; staff is currently putting together a list of downstream assignments. Mr. Roy stated that going forward these types of assessments/assignments will be straightforward and transparent. If these property owners were to sell, the next owner would be aware because it will be on the land records.
Mr. Piazza stated the assessments for Hopmeadow Street are as follows: 560 Hopmeadow Street $11,186.55; 563 Hopmeadow Street $13,081.55; 568 Hopmeadow Street, $8,986.55; 570 Hopmeadow Street, $19,901.55, and 571 Hopmeadow Street, $13,081.55. He stated that both properties listed as 573A and both properties listed as 573B are deferred assessments of $8,986.55. Mr. Piazza stated that the differences in the assessment amounts are because of additional lateral work.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the assessments for 560-573B Hopmeadow Street as listed. The deferred assessments will not become due until the time of connection. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion.
Mr. Gilmore stated his concern regarding how the deferred properties have been benefited by this extension since the pipe does not run by their property. Mr. Roy stated that these properties have a utility easement, which allows access out to Route 10. The pipe stops approximately 50 feet from that easement. These property owners will not be paying for these costs until such time that they are benefited. The Town did all of the expensive work downstream of crossing Route 10 and connecting into Ensign Bickford. If these property owners do not pay their portion of this extension, the downstream customers would unfairly be paying for the infrastructure that is providing a great benefit these assessed properties. Mr. Kelly stated that historically, when a pipe stops and a property could connect with a small extension, the Town will levy a downstream assignment.
Mr. Gilmore questioned why the pipe was not run the extra 50 feet within the existing project in order to reach this property. Mr. Piazza stated that this was a different run up Hopmeadow Street that was not required at the time. Mr. Kelly stated that in the past, they would go down a street where there was sufficient interest and stop the extension when there was little to no interest from property owners. Mr. Roy stated that these property owners had a chance to voice their opinions at the initial public hearing, which they did not attend. There is now a benefit to these property owners in the future; they could have come to the public hearing and asked to be directly benefited, but did not.
The motion was unanimously approved.
4. GIFTS OF LOVE – REQUEST TO TIE INTO WPC PUMPING STATION ELECTRICITY
Mr. Roy stated that Gifts of Love operates the Community Farms and is located on Wolcott Road; on the opposite side of the road is the Wolcott Pump Station which is adjacent to their land that is used for crops and irrigation.
They are currently looking to have a well installed for irrigation purposes and are requesting to connect power through the pump station if the well is approved by the Farmington Valley Health District. He stated that the value of electricity that will be used by Gifts of Love would be minimal. The WPCA can choose to charge them by direct or estimated charges, or possibly considering this as a charitable contribution. Mr. Gilmore questioned what the administrative costs would be to figure out what the monetary charge to Gifts of Love would be. Mr. Roy stated that it would cost more to compute the charges than the cost of the electricity usage. He recommended having the electric use by the non-profit monitored; staff will report back to the WPCA at a later time if it becomes more than nominal usage.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to approve the Gifts of Love request to tie into the Wolcott pump station electricity conduit and to further have this provision of electricity so long as the actual usage is of a nominal amount, and that it be without charge in order to avoid administrative expenses and burden of managing the billing and payment aspect, but with the requirement that the annual cost of the usage of electricity be monitored with the WPCA reserving the right to charge and/or meter Gifts of Love at any time if the consumption of electricity makes it more than de minimis. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. REQUEST – WINTERSET LANE SEWER EXTENSION
Mr. Piazza stated that Winterset Lane was surveyed at the same time as the Musket Trail/Flintlock Ridge area; this was done as a cost savings measure. There has recently been an initial request for sewers on Winterset Lane. There are approximately 20 homes in this area that could be connected to the sewer. There was a consensus among the Authority members to send out interest cards.
6. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that the Bushy Hill Road was re-bid and came back in at $85,000 less than the previous bid. WW Manchester will start the work once the State permits have been issued. Also, Bushy Hill Road will be repaired this summer by the State; Town staff is working with the State to get this extension project done in conjunction with the State’s schedule. He stated that staff continues to work with residents in terms of the final restoration for Maple Court/Old Mill Lane. Aquarion is currently working to reconstruct their water lines within this neighborhood. Once their work in completed, Aquarion will give the Town a check for the value of their final pavement work. The Town will then take over all pavement within the entire complex, which should be done in late fall of 2018.
Regarding developer projects, Mr. Roy stated that Massaco Street will go out to bid within the next few weeks. Work will start after school is out for the summer. He stated that 80% of the sewers have already been installed at Talcott Ridge. The Facility Connection Charges will be calculated and a bill will be sent out.
7. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for March. The plant had a minor excursion of Total Suspended Solids on April 17th. The rain event that day produced 3 inches of rain in 4 hours causing plant flow to peak at 7.6 MGD. State DEEP was informed of the violation. Staff is currently reviewing procedures and ways to improve process timelines to minimize the effect of these events. He stated that operators have placed the disinfection system online and have been maintaining phosphorous well under permit requirements.
Regarding the Long View pump station, Mr. Piazza stated that the force main at the station was determined to be broken on April 1. A bypass of sewage occurred which required the State DEEP to be notified and a report was issued. The force main has been repaired. Also, the development of the draft Flow Allocation Policy has been completed.
Mr. Piazza stated that there was a blockage in a private system at 461 Hopmeadow Street. Staff cleared the blockage and will create a bill for services rendered. Staff continues with video inspection and cleaning of the system.
Mr. Piazza stated that the WPC Truck Driver position is now open. He will be evaluating all job descriptions and reviewing the requirements of the department for future staffing.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mr. Piazza to 8 Plank Hill Road regarding the change of use, which resulted in a $2,865 facility connection charge as well as correspondence from the State DEEP regarding nitrogen credits.
9. MARCH MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Roy made one edit to the March 8, 2018 minutes.
Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the March 8, 2018 minutes as amended. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Piazza stated that discrepancies were found in the Inter-town Agreements with the Town of Avon. Portions of the Agreement differ in terms of if Simsbury will pay Avon or if they will credit Avon; other portions state that Avon will collect sewer use fees. He stated that the Town of Avon is fine with how they are currently being charged by Simsbury, although they will be working on amending the Agreement for the July 2019 billing.
10. ADJOURN
Mr. Hickey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman