City Council Work Session
February 23, 2009
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Lafleur, Remillard, Poulin, Goudreau, Evans and Cayer. Councilors Donovan and McCue were absent. Others present were Pamela Laflamme, Michael Perreault, Patrick MacQueen, media and public
Following a meeting with the City Attorney, Mayor Bertrand called the work session to order at 8:20 p.m.
Memo re: Needed Centrifuge Repair at Waste Water Treatment Plant
Mike Perreault explained that the centrifuge is an essential piece of equipment and is in need of repair due to vibration. He recommended that the Council waive the bid process in favor of using O.E.M's authorized repair service Andritz Separation, Inc. as the standard service supplier. The treatment plant has two units that have over 9,000 hours of service. If both centrifuges were to be out of commission, the treatment plant would have to rely on portable equipment. Repairs are estimated at $38,000; a new unit would cost $350,000. Councilor Cayer asked how long the bid process would take and Mr. Perreault commented that it is important to have the most qualified company doing the work.
Councilor Goudreau moved to get the unit repaired; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ongoing District Leachate Discussion
Mr. MacQueen explained that considerations are being made to insure that if the City takes the leachate from the landfill, we don't absorb more cost than revenue. AVRRDD wants control over what happens however with the Council setting the sewer rate, they are apprehensive over the outcome. There is also discomfort on the part of the AVRRDD over capital costs of the engineering estimates for building a new plant. The District has to make a decision by this Thursday.
Mayor Bertrand asked for a better explanation of the timeline and Councilor Lafleur noted that the EPA wants a plan for a path forward for treating the leachate by June 1 and the engineering firm feels it will take time to develop such a plan. The temporary permit expires October 30.
Wright Pierce submitted a memo describing the City's alternatives. With regard to low shaving vs. construction of a third secondary clarifier, the city will continue to study the possibilities but did not want to make a commitment at this time.
With regard to estimated cost to treat landfill leachate, operation and maintenance, it depends on what is calculated in that number. In order for the City to be an attractive option we would have to be under $375,000 however that would not allocate capital cost for capital that was done prior to their coming on. A sewer rate would have to be developed to encompass flow, BOD and TSS but not charge for collection. It was suggested that a fixed rate be for only the first year and subsequent rates would be based on actual cost. These actual costs would be retroactive to both the District and the City.
Councilor Goudreau cautioned that this is risk to the city. If this were any other user, they would have to pay for past capital debt. Councilor Poulin rationalized that when the District charges for waste, they include capital costs in the charge and we should be doing the same. Councilor Evans confirmed that the objective was to have a zero impact on the sewer rate and whether we charge for past capital costs or not, at some point there will be a benefit to having more customers to share the cost. Mayor Bertrand agreed that the District has to pay their fair share of the cost.
Mr. MacQueen noted that if past capital costs are to be considered, the estimated sewer bill would be $424,000. Discussion resulted in a consensus to:
1. Develop a rate based on actual cost to treat flow, BID and TSS which yields $424,000 and to make that rate retroactive to both the District and City;
2. Don't charge collection system capital to District if it direct connects to WWTF;
3. Do charge for existing or past capital or debt in rate;
4. Do charge for future non-collection capital and debt;
5. Continue to study flow equalization with Burgess treatment plant.
Councilor Goudreau moved to offer to treat the District leachate at a first year cost of $424,000. and to develop a rate based on actual costs for treatment of flow, BOD and TSS determined from actual use, retro-active to District and City for first year; Councilor Poulin seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Other
OHRV Bill. Councilor Evans stated that Representative Ingersoll came to the meeting earlier and wanted the City to send a letter of support for the OHRV bill that would allow use of State highways by OHRV's. The bill is being heard March 3 at 11:00 a.m.
Councilor Cayer reported that the Trails Committee met this week and decided to take another approach to discuss how vehicles would be allowed on the city streets and how best to present a plan to the Council's Safety Committee. Councilor Cayer moved to send a letter of support to the delegation in support of HB272; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
Clean Power. Councilor Evans questioned whether it was too late to recommend a takedown bond for Clean Power and for all new biomass as a way to ensure that when plants are no longer viable that the money is in place to take them down. Councilor Goudreau expressed concern that it would inhibit financing if the lender knows the asset will be destroyed.
Councilor Evans moved that the Planning Board consider a takedown bond specific to biomass plants as one of the considerations of their site plan review; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Goudreau and Mayor Bertrand voting against.
Councilor Goudreau moved to adjourn; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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