WPCA Minutes 09/13/2018
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 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 7:03 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, Jay Sheehan, and Jacques Brignac. Also present were Anthony Piazza, Water Pollution Control Superintendent; 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. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY SET PUBLIC HEARING – WINTERSET LANE SEWER EXTENSION
Mr. Piazza stated that back in February of this year, a request was made by a homeowner for the possibility of sewers on Winterset Lane. The Town sent out interest cards in June. From his understanding after speaking to several residents who called the Town, there may be some misinformation among the homeowners regarding costs, which have not yet been established by Town staff. He stated the process is that the project design and costs are not established until after a public hearing has been set.
Mr. Gilmore stated that if a public hearing is set, this does not mean that anything, including the outcome, has been determined. This just means that there is some level of interest to invoke the investigation and planning process of a project, which is a thorough process. He stated that the Authority is concerned with doing what is right for the community. If a public hearing is set, that would be the time for public comment in terms of if people would like to see the project proceed or not, although this is not a truly democratic process. He stated that the Authority members will listen to the comments of the Engineer and Town staff, although they also take into account the wishes of the affected property owners in order to make a right and fair final decision.
Mr. Russell, 48 Winterset Lane, questioned what the count was in terms of homeowners that were and were not interested in learning more about sewers in their neighborhood. Mr. Gilmore stated that the latest count was 12 were interested and 33 were not interested in learning more about the sewer extension. He stated that the initial count was approximately 50/50 prior to the possibility of some misinformation being distributed among the homeowners. Mr. Russell stated that with the final count, he does not feel that a public hearing should go forward. Mr. Gilmore stated that he feels strongly not to let one person’s distribution of flawed and improper information stop this process in its tracks. He will suggest that the Authority members put this project up for public hearing so Town staff can do their due diligence.
Mr. Russell expressed his frustration regarding what he feels is a disregard by the Authority to the number of people who are not interested in this project as well as not giving the homeowners more information upfront regarding the costs, etc. that are associated with sewer projects. Dr. Park stated that it would be disingenuous to give a cost estimate to residents prior to designing a project.
Dr. Park made a motion to set a public hearing for Winterset Lane at the February 2019 meeting. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. FLOW ALLOCATION UPDATE
Mr. Piazza stated that the draft flow allocation policy was distributed to the Authority members at the June meeting for their review. Regarding the flow allocation sub-area summary, he stated that this chart looks at the flow; I&I; total future lots from developed, undeveloped and open space properties; as well as the potential total flows if everything is developed. He stated that the chart does not show the total flow that is currently available in each sub-area, which is currently being created. Mr. Sheehan stated that there is enough total flow, although the pipe may not be able to handle it. Mr. Piazza stated that their next step is to make sure each pipe in the area can handle that flow.
Mr. Roy stated that there are a number of undeveloped parcels including a number of neighborhoods in most of the sub-areas that are not connected to the sewer. He questioned if the Authority, thinking about the capacity of the plant over the next 20 years or so, would like to look at the possibly of allowing parcels to receive additional allocation. If so, would they want to give that capacity to developers; sell that capacity; or possibly give a certain percentage over what a parcel already has, as well as possible timeframes regarding these options. He stated that a discussion needs to be had regarding what direction the Authority would like to go. If the Authority decides to charge for extra capacity, they would need to determine if they want that charge based on a fee schedule that is set on an annual basis. They could also base it on what it would cost to take that same volume of flow out of the pipes that is currently coming in from I&I. Mr. Roy stated that this would mitigate the additional allocation somewhere in the system and allow them to control I&I. Although I&I is not a problem for the facility, every drop that comes into the system through I&I is robbing capacity, costing money to treat, and is clean water that should not be there.
Mr. Gilmore stated that he feels there should be gradations on exceeding the allocation in terms of evaluating whether a project will be feasible in light of the projected future uses. Mr. Roy stated that a policy is needed that has simple broad based rules that will give the WPCA the appropriate authority and levels of scrutiny they need.
Mr. Roy stated that at this time, Town staff is looking for a policy level direction on which way the Authority would like to go. Dr. Park asked that this request be submitted to the WPCA in writing.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Roy stated that the final bill for Bushy Hill Road was received this week; this project is substantially complete. The Maple Court project was an upgrade of an Ensign Bickford neighborhood. When this project was almost at completion, Aquarion Water Company decided that they wanted to run a new water main in that neighborhood. The Town did negotiate an agreement with Aquarion in which they paid the Town the amount that it would have cost them to do their restoration work, which the Town then applied to the final paving costs. Also, the sanitary sewer work has been completed on Massaco Street; the final restoration was coordinated with the Town’s paving schedule.
Regarding Murphy’s Turn, Mr. Roy stated that there have been several settlement issues on the roadway; no homes have been built as of yet. There are 2 lots that the developer would like to start to develop, although because of the issues with the road, the Town has not accepted the roadway. The sewers have been videoed and there are no issues. The WPCA may be asked to accept the sewer within the next several months. If this is the case, appropriate protections would need to be put in place.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that, during the month of June, the plant effluent channel developed a growth of a “moss animal”. This growth inhibited the disinfection ability of the UV system. A single day violation of E-coli occurred. All other permit limits were met for June, July and August. Regarding the plant process, plant staff worked with an outside consultant, Joe Nestico, to identify the growth within the effluent channel and to establish a method of remediation. Staff continues to minimize the food source for the moss animals by increasing the removal of algae from the secondary clarifiers.
Mr. Piazza stated that the repair of two pumps at the South Pump Station has been completed. Staff installed VFD’s at the Tunxis Pump Station. Northeast Communications has been hired to replace the SCADA system at Wolcott Pump Station.
A review of the reserve fund has found that several deposits of facility connection charges have been place into the sewer extension fund incorrectly. Mr. Piazza stated that staff is creating a list of these deposits and will have funds transferred to the proper account. Staff will be meeting with the finance department and tax office to establish a procedure for future collections.
Mr. Piazza stated that they continue to review the requirements of the department for future staffing.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed the following: a letter to W.W. Manchester regarding the Bushy Hill Road project in terms of work progress and site conditions; a letter to residents regarding the Massaco Street project; a letter to SL Simsbury, LLC regarding the facility connection charges for 200 Hopmeadow Street; and an FOIA request regarding the Massaco Street bid award.
8. JUNE AND JULY MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the June 12, 2018 minutes as written. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Sheehan abstained.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the July 26, 2018 minutes as written. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
9. ADJOURN
Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman