WPCA Minutes 12/12/2019

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 12, 2019

“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, Tom Hickey, Ed Kelly, Jacques Brignac, and Lucian Dragulski.  Also present were Tony Piazza, Superintendent and Alison Sturgeon, Clerk.

2.             SAFETY BRIEF – Mr. Gilmore gave a safety brief noting the dangers of and to use caution when operating snow blowers. 

3.            INITIAL DISCUSSION – FY 2020/21 BUDGET

Mr. Piazza reviewed the 2020/21 budget with the Authority members.  He stated that there is a $191,000 increase in the budget, $115,000 of which is increases for salaries, insurance costs and pension liabilities.  He stated that contractual services increased $1,706, which is due to the increased cost for sewer billing software and management.  Refuse disposal increased $62,500, which is the cost of having an outside vendor perform sludge hauling.  With this increase comes the removal of the new sludge hauling truck from the capital list.  This equates to a savings of $325,000 as well as associated fuel and maintenance costs for the vehicle.  Lastly, there is an increase of $1,000 for education costs, which is due to changes in State mandates for operator education and certification/recertification requirements. 

Regarding capital projects, Mr. Piazza stated that sewer lining, mostly in Tariffville, will be a multi-year project.  This will be going out to bid in January 2020.  The lining will increase the lifetime of the pipe by 50-75 years and is a cost effective way to upgrade the existing sewers without the construction disruptions.   Another capital project is the secondary clarifier weir covers.  Last summer, there was a bryozoan growth, also known as a fresh water coral, growing in the effluent channel.  The bryozoan live on algae; the only way to get rid of them is to get rid of the algae.  Putting covers over the secondary clarifier, which is where 95% of the algae grows, will eliminate the light.  The light is what the algae needs to grow.   Each clarifier weir cover is approximately $125,000.

The Public Works Department is upgrading the drainage on Hayes Road.  The WPCA, in the past, did discuss removing the Hayes Road pump station to install a gravity line.  At that time, the cost was approximately 350,000.  Mr. Piazza stated that he will have current and updated numbers for the Commission next month.  He stated that it is not a necessity that the pump station be removed since the controls were upgraded two years ago.  If the pump station is removed, those controls would be used elsewhere.

4.             STATUS REPORT ON SEWER EXTENSION PROJECTS, ETC.

Mr. Piazza stated that the sewer lines are in on Climax Road; the concrete is being poured for foundations.  An informational meeting was held on December 4th for the Woodland Street area sewer upgrade.  Information letters will be sent out soon so staff can get started on the preliminary design.  The public hearing for Woodland Street could be held as soon as February.

5.            TREATMENT FACILITY REPORT

Mr. Piazza stated that all permit requirements were met for the month of November.  Staff has received all of the replacement Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). Staff is coordinating with the computer integrator from Tighe & Bond for installation; work is scheduled to begin in January.

Mr. Piazza 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 met with WPCA staff to discuss operational issues and potential system upgrades.  He stated that they have also requested proposals for the potential installation of solar panels at the facility.  Regarding the plant water system, the system has been released for construction with an anticipated delivery date of February 2020.

6.             PROPOSED WPCA 2020 MEETING SCHEDULE – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the WPCA 2020 meeting schedule as proposed.  Mr. Brignac seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

7.         CORRESPONDENCE

The Authority members reviewed a letter from Mr. Piazza to Milone & McBroom regarding the capacity review for the McLean Independent Living Building at 85 Firetown Road and 75 Great Pond Road.

8.         NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES – POSSIBLE APPROVAL

Mr. Kelly made a motion to approve the November 14, 2019 minutes as written.  Dr. Park seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved. 

9.      ADJOURN

Dr. Park made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.  Mr. Hickey seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.

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Paul Gilmore, Chairman