WPCA Minutes 11/12/2015
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 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 7:33 p.m. in the Simsbury Water Pollution Control Facility Conference Room, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury. The following members were present: Jay Sheehan, Paul Gilmore, Loren Shoemaker, Michael Park, and Tom Hickey. Also present were Anthony Piazza, Superintendent, Tom Roy, Director of Public Works, Alison Sturgeon, Clerk, as well as other interested parties.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Chairman Richardson gave a safety brief noting the exits in case of an emergency.
3. PUBLIC HEARING – EXTENSION OF SANITARY SEWER FOR 318-326 BUSHY HILL ROAD
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
The Simsbury Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Thursday,
November 12, 2015, at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room at the Simsbury Water Pollution Control, 36 Drake Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. The purpose of the hearing is to review a proposal, and possibly take action, for extending sanitary sewers to serve
318-326 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT. All interested property owners shall have the opportunity to appear and be heard.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
Philip Richardson, Chairman
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Roy stated that the Town of Simsbury operates and maintains the treatment facility, which has a 3.8 MGD capacity; 5 pump stations; 85 miles of sewer lines; and 2,300 manholes. The service area includes Simsbury and portions of Avon and Granby, who are co-owners of the treatment facility and participate in debt reduction and O&M funding. Mr. Roy stated that the WPCA is the sole decision making authority for sewer installations; finances are solely supported by user fees. These fees include the facility connection charge and an annual sewer use fee.
Mr. Roy stated that sewer extensions are facilitated by an order from the State Health Department or DEEP; by a developer for a new development within the sewer use area; or by a neighborhood request. Funding for these projects is through a revolving sewer assessment fund.
As new projects are constructed, homeowners are assessed their portion of the cost to repay the sewer assessment fund. These assessments can be finance over 10 years through the WPCA.
Mr. Roy stated that the nearby sewers for this project are located at Sidney Way, Oakhurst and Hildurcrest Drive. He stated that all options were evaluated including lot sizes, pavement, soil conditions and groundwater. Extending the sewer from Sidney Way was the most cost effective plan, although residents at 322 and 326 Bushy Hill Road may need injector pumps. This will be determined after the survey is complete. Mr. Roy stated that if this project is approved by the WPCA, the anticipated construction would be summer of 2016.
Regarding the preliminary costs estimates, Mr. Roy stated that the survey, construction and main line construction would be approximately $45,160. This cost is shared by the benefited properties at $9,032 each. The homeowners would also each need to pay a facility connection charge of $4,095; a permit fee of $100; the cost to install the line from the house to the curb, which varies and could be between $50 and $100 per linear foot depending on conditions; and the yearly user fee, which is currently $335. Mr. Roy stated that the homeowner could choose to finance the assessment charge through the Town for a 10 year period at the Town’s current bond rating. The homeowner also has the option to finance the facility connection charge at the same time as the assessment if they decide to connect immediately. Mr. Roy stated that the assessment and FCC together would be approximately $109 per month for 10 years. Mr. Shoemaker stated that if a homeowner were to amortize their assessment, this would be a lien on the property. Mr. Roy stated that each homeowner would also be assessed $1,450, which was a portion of the cost when the small segment of sewer was installed just north of this proposed project.
Mr. Imse, 326 Bushy Hill Road, stated his frustration that this project was not done when the Town constructed the original sewer extension. He stated that it would be unfair to ask the homeowners of this project to pay a deferred assessment of $1,450 when they did not have a say in that project and because they were never notified of this assessment until today.
Mrs. Imse stated that the initial scope of the project included 331 Bushy Hill Road. Mr. Piazza stated that this property owner was not interested in being a part of this project. This address is split into 3 separate building, although it is owned by one owner. Mrs. Imse questioned if the costs could be divided with these building lots as well. She stated that the property owner at 320 Bushy Hill Road also has two building lots and would be assessed for each lot. Mr. Piazza stated that it would be more cost effective for 331 Bushy Hill Road to connect to Woodhaven by gravity, so it will not be a part of this project, although the other building lots owned by 331 Bushy Hill Road could be a part.
Ms. Johnson, 320 Bushy Hill Road, questioned how many assessments would she need to pay. Mr. Piazza stated that she would need to pay for three total assessments if the project is approved, although 2 of those assessments would be deferred until the lots were developed.
Mr. Richardson took a straw poll of the residents, all of which were in favor of connecting to the sewer.
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Richardson stated that he is uncomfortable moving this public hearing forward without the owner of 329/331 Bushy Hill Road present, as well as not having enough information regarding the $1,450 deferred assessment to each of these homeowners. The Authority members agreed.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to deny this proposed sewer extension in its entirety.
Mr. Piazza stated that since the homeowner of 329/331 Bushy Hill Road was not part of this process, they could be removed from the discussion and not give them the option of hooking up. The scope of the project could be for just the east side of Bushy Hill Road.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to reopen the public hearing. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Richardson stated that if 329/331 Bushy Hill Road was eliminated from this project, and the estimated costs were divided by five instead of six, the assessment would be approximately $10,500. Mr. Imse stated that the Authority, in the past, has decided to go ahead with certain projects because the majority of the affected homeowners were in favor. He believes 329/331 Bushy Hill Road should not be eliminated form this project. Mr. Sheehan stated that the Town Engineer has stated that it would be more cost effective for 331 Bushy Hill Road to connect toward Woodhaven.
Mr. Gilmore stated that it needs to be determined if the connection for the building lots owned by 331 Bushy Hill Road is most logical to be done within the scope of this project or not. If it is the most logical for them to be included in this project, he would suggest that this application be denied and send a notice to this homeowner as well. The Authority members agreed that more information is needed before they can proceed.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Gilmore made a motion to deny this application and that more information is required. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
4. MAPLE COURT – REVIEW INTEREST CARDS/POSSIBLY SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE
Mr. Richardson stated that 10 out of 14 responses back from interest cards have been received. Out of those responses, 9 are interested in learning more about the sewer upgrade, and one is not in favor. Regarding 5 & 9 Old Mill Lane and 17 Firetown Road, Mr. Piazza stated that it would be more beneficial to get an easement to tie into the condominiums on Old Mill Lane and for the Town to take this system over as well. This would allow for a 50 foot extension to tie these three homes as part of this project.
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to set a public hearing for the Maple Court upgrade for the December 10, 2015 meeting. Mr. Sheehan seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Regarding the Russell Lane project, Mr. Roy stated that Rich Sawitzke did acquire one more easement, although another easement is still needed. He stated that the project could be redesigned to connect 4 out of the 5 lots. There are no failing septic systems at this time. There was a consensus on the Authority to not go forward with this project unless or until all of the easements were acquired.
Mr. Roy stated that the Seminary Road project has been completed. He stated that they have recently hired an engineering firm to assist the Town with the Andrew Drive project.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for October. The staff has begun to install the second bar screen and screenings conditioner. This work should be done by the end of December. Regarding the Farmington River bank stabilization, staff attended a public hearing for the project and the Town of Simsbury Wetland Commission will be issuing a permit.
Mr. Piazza stated that revenue for FY 2014/15 was $3,413,918 and expenditures were $3,294,627. A presentation was made last month to the Board of Finance to explain WPCA’s reserve fund and assessment fund. Regarding the Longview pump station, Mr. Piazza stated that Northeasten Communications should complete the SCADA and controls upgrade by December 2015. The existing 4 inch force main was connected to the valve chamber for potential use if needed when the Town garage starts discharging into the system. Also, last month there was a fuel smell at the Wolcott pump station. The State Spill Response Team was notified as well as the Town Fire Marshall. A final determination of where the fuel came from was not determined, although the State is still investigating. Mr. Piazza stated that he would like to begin a sump pump inspection program in Town as well.
Mr. Piazza stated that Jim Corley has been hired as the Engineering Inspector. The Town is currently advertising for the open truck driver position to replace Ed Schwentke, who transferred to the Highway Department.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mark Mitchell, Mitchell Auto Group, regarding transferring sewer allocation. Mr. Piazza stated that 562/564 Hopmeadow Street is looking to construct an addition to their building, which is on a half-acre lot in a business zone; they currently do not have enough allocation for this project. Mitchell Auto Group, 416 Hopmeadow Street, has offered to transfer 300 gallons per day allocation to 562/564 Hopmeadow Street. Mr. Piazza stated that this will be more than enough capacity for this proposed project and will also be recorded on the land records.
Mr. Gilmore stated that there should be an allocation transfer agreement, which would be more formal than a letter.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the transfer of 300 gpd of sewer allocation from 416
Hopmeadow Street to 562/564 Hopmeadow Street subject to legal review by the Town Attorney and such documentation as Council deems necessary. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
8. OCTOBER 8, 2015 MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Shoemaker made a motion to approve the October 8, 2015 minutes as written. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was approved. Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Gilmore abstained.
9. RESIGNATION OF WPCA CHAIRMAN / POSSIBLE NOMINATION
Mr. Richardson stated that this would be his last WPCA meeting as he and his wife will be moving out of State. He stated that he has enjoyed service on the WPCA for more than a decade.
Mr. Richardson stated that he designated Mr. Gilmore to sign the approved November minutes in his stead. He stated, at this point, he would turn the meeting over to Mr. Gilmore, Vice-Chairman.
10. PROPOSED WPCA 2016 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan suggested moving the start time of the WPCA 2016 meetings to 7:00 p.m. The Authority members agreed.
Dr. Park made a motion to approve the WPCA 2016 meeting schedule as written with an amendment to reflect the 7:00 p.m. meeting time. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
11. ADJOURN
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Mr. Shoemaker seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
______________________
Paul Gilmore, Vice-Chairman