WPCA Minutes 12/10/2020
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2020
“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. via a virtual Zoom meeting. The following members were present: Tom Hickey, Jay Sheehan, Michael Park, Jacques Brignac, and Lucian Dragulski. Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent, Thomas Roy, Director of Public Works, and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.
Mr. Sheehan chaired the start of the meeting since Mr. Gilmore was having technical issues.
2. SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Sheehan stated that people should continue to be smart and safe as we continue to get through the pandemic together.
3. SEWER USE FEE WAIVER REQUEST – 16 SEMINARY ROAD
Mr. Gilmore recused himself from this discussion.
Mr. Piazza stated that Mr. Mach has referred all correspondence to his lawyer, Adam Marks, of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy. Mr. Piazza then read Mr. Mach’s request into the record.
Mr. Sheehan stated that this request is clear combined with supporting documents that there has been no water use at this residence, which would indicate no wastewater.
Dr. Park questioned if there is any precedent set regarding this type of waiver. Mr. Roy stated that there have been instances where houses have remained unoccupied for long periods of time for several different reasons; each decision was to deny the waiver request.
Mr. Hickey questioned if the water had been turned off at 16 Seminary Road. Mr. Piazza stated that he is unsure if the water was turned off, although supporting documents show that there was no water usage from June through December. He reminded the Authority members that sewer bills are paid in advance for the upcoming fiscal year. Mr. Roy stated that the water usage is one part of the equation. If the homeowner had lost their certificate of occupancy and the house deemed uninhabitable, that might be a different threshold.
Mr. Hickey questioned what this homeowner could have done differently to avoid payment. Mr. Roy stated that this is a difficult balance. Similarly, the tax office would not be giving this homeowner a break on their taxes for the year. He stated that this case is currently under litigation; he is unsure if this will be covered under an insurance loss. Mr. Roy stated that the Authority members need to determine what a reasonable threshold would be in order to be accommodating where and when appropriate. Mr. Piazza reiterated that the sewer use fee is not based on water use; this charge is for the right to use the sewers.
Mr. Roy stated that if the Authority members wanted, research could be done to see when this was discussed in the past as well as if the homeowner did lose their certificate of occupancy and/or had their water turned off. The Authority members agreed that more information would be helpful.
Dr. Park made a motion to table the sewer use fee waiver request for 16 Seminary Road until the next scheduled meeting until further investigation has been done. Mr. Dragulski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Gilmore rejoined the meeting.
4. BOND/ESCROW RELEASE REQUEST – MICHAEL MANSOUR, HENDRICKS LANE
Mr. Piazza stated the Michael Mansour is requesting release of the construction and maintenance bonds. He agrees that the construction bond could be released, although the maintenance bond period started in April. There is another 5 months left of the one year period for release of the maintenance bond.
Mr. Gilmore recommended that the Authority not depart from their usual releases and consider releasing the construction bond and retain the maintenance bond, which is standard protocol.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the release of the construction bond but deny the release of the maintenance bond for Hendricks Lane. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
5. STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.
Mr. Piazza stated that a meeting will be held with the design engineer for the Woodland Street project. He received the developer’s agreement for the next phase of Carson’s Way, which has been sent for review to the Town Attorney. Final paving for Highcroft and The Ridge are still needed in order for the sewers to be accepted at these two developments.
6. TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT
Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of November. Staff continues with the replacement of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). They are coordinating with the computer integrator from Tighe & Bond for installation. At this time, Building 6 PLC still needs to be upgraded and are currently waiting on the delivery of a specialty cable to finish the installation. He stated that staff is continuing 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. AECOM engineers visited the site to perform an overall assessment for potential system upgrades.
Mr. Piazza stated that staff worked with DPC Engineering and completed the BRIC Grant application for the modifications to the protective berm surrounding the plant. Regarding the secondary clarifier launder covers, he stated that staff has conducted a walk through with Tighe and Bond to assist in the creation of a bid document for the covers. It is expected to have the covers installed in the summer of 2021.
Mr. Piazza stated that James Silva of Silva Engineering, LLC performed a structural analysis of the primary clarifiers prior to commencing the upgrade of the mechanical systems. Several structural issues were found on the east tank; a section of the exterior wall is leaning in. This issue was also found during the plant upgrade in 2006 and a repair was made at that time. There are multiple options for the potential repair or the possibility of decommissioning the tanks. A capital project for a more in-depth study and recommendations will be needed in future years.
Regarding the miscellaneous industrial users permit, Mr. Piazza stated that staff is compiling a list of all industrial users in the Town as well as Avon and Granby. We will be prioritizing the notifications to these businesses to allow for a smooth rollout of the program.
Regarding the MUI permit, Mr. Sheehan stated that at the Connecticut Water Pollution Abatement Association board meeting, they recently discussed getting a recommended fee schedule together for the permit, inspection, etc. This fee schedule will be benchmarks; these are not numbers that must be followed, but are to serve as a guide.
7. CORRESPONDENCE – There was none.
8. NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the November12, 2020 minutes as written. Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
9. PROPOSED WPCA 2021 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL
Simsbury WPCA meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, although since their regularly scheduled meeting for November 2021 would fall on Veteran’s Day, there was a consensus among the Authority members that this meeting should be moved to the following Thursday, November 18th.
Mr. Sheehan made a motion to approve the WPCA 2021 meeting schedule as amended. Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
10. ADJOURN
Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
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Paul Gilmore, Chairman