Joint Facilities Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2010
A Regular Meeting of the Joint Facilities Committee was held at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The members in attendance included:
Robert Jones Tom Tripodi Dag Lindland (arrived 5:25pm)
David Kelsey Richard LeMay
Mark Barmasse and Mark Decker were not in attendance. Also attending were Vincent F. Susco Jr., Public Utilities Administrator, Scott Clayton, Superintendent. Pamela McCann acted as recording secretary.
Call to Order
Acting - Chairman Kelsey called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Acting - Chairman Kelsey called for the approval of minutes. Upon motion by Mr. Tripodi, seconded by Mr. LeMay, the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 18, 2010 were unanimously approved.
Acting - Chairman Kelsey called for the approval of minutes. Upon motion by Mr. LeMay, seconded by Mr. Tripodi, the minutes of the Special Meeting of June 15, 2010 were unanimously approved.
Report of Operations
Acting - Chairman Kelsey called upon Superintendent Scott Clayton, to present the May and June Report of Operations which are made part of these minutes.
Mr. Clayton reported the plant operated within parameters for the period. Staff received operating training for the E-One grinder pumps installed as part of the Marlborough System and the newly install Channel Monster. Seasonal inclement weather events continue to result in numerous power failures that require plant personnel attention.
Mr. Clayton reported several motor starters in Hebron need to be replaced. He presently is working with Ms. Cooper and believes this will help eliminate the need for service calls.
Several routine maintenance projects were completed including; repair of the of the spray line to the Bioreactor, new seats at several pump locations, valve box maintenance along the Airline Trail, repairs to the Spellman Point Lift station and the clean out of wetwells at the Hebron lift stations.
Management reported on the emergency repairs required on the plant’s Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) thickener. Mr. Susco explained this piece of equipment is critical to the plants operation and has no backup. Management is presently evaluating the cost benefit of replacing the unit with an upgraded unit or continuing to repair the exiting unit. Mr. Susco explained this project can be accomplished prior to the approval of the Facilties Plan. He expects to have an action item before the Committee in the near future.
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Regular Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2010
Mr. Susco reported the Joint Facilties is at its full employment level with the hiring of a new wastewater treatment plant operator. Mr. Bruce Gudelski of Colchester, CT will start on August 2nd as an Operator-in-Training.
Budget Status
Mr. Susco indicated there would be no report on the current fiscal years status as it is too early in the year.
Mr. Susco distributed management’s summary of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. He explained, this un-audited report, indicates the Joint Facilties will end up in the black and that several line item transfers will be necessary. He explained the transfers to be presented are the best information presently available however; they could be modified as more timely information is received from the Finance Department. These transfers are made part of the minutes.
Mr. Susco reported on the shortfall in revenues as a result of the decline in septage fee revenue (underperformed $41,000.00). He presented information for the last five (5) years and pointed out that since 2007 both the amount of septage received and the revenues associated with that septage have steadily declined. He expressed concern that this pattern would continue for this fiscal year. Further updates would be provided to the members.
The following motion moved by Mr. LeMay, seconded by Mr. Tripodi, was unanimously approved:
RESOLVED: that the Joint Facilities does hereby approve the line item transfers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 substantially in the form presented at this meeting subject to final audit by the town’s Finance Department.
Old Business
Mr. Susco reported the purchase order for the replacement of the HVAC system was completed immediately following the Special Meeting. The required deposit has been forwarded and the equipment has been ordered. Recent conversations with the contractor indicate the work is scheduled for the middle of August and would take approximately two (2) weeks to complete.
Mr. Susco reported on the Department of Environmental Protections re-issuance of nitrogen discharge limits under the General Permit. The permit limit for 2015 will remain the same as 2014; for the East Hampton/Colchester plan that limit is 54 pounds.
Mr. Susco distributed the current year’s nitrogen credit trading cost worksheet. He indicated this worksheet is remarkably similar to previous years and reminded members that optimum condition for removal of nitrogen is not during the winter months. He highlighted the start time of the working agreement (April 1, 2010) with the Water Planet and indicated the time frame for improvement has been very short. Management remains optimistic this three year program will produce the desired savings.
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Regular Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2010
Mr. Susco provided a wrap-up to the recently completed Channel Monster project. Installation began in early June and on June 29th training and acceptance of the new unit was completed. This project went very smoothly and although it took slightly longer to complete management is pleased with the result and the final cost. After shop reviews and with the incorporation of several suggestions from management the final cost of the unit including installation was $79,297.00. The smooth installation also resulted in fewer field inspections by our engineer (CDM) which translated into additional savings. The final cost of the project was $97,297.00 well under the estimated $120,000.00. This cost includes a five year warranty period which will begin
after the initial year of warranty service expires for a total of six (6) years of coverage. The unit has been placed on line and will remain our primary grinder during this period.
Members questioned the need for a similar unit to be located at the Middletown Avenue Lift Station. Mr. Susco explained in light of the failing condition of the DAF management will need to evaluate where best to place the resources of the Joint Facilties.
New Business
Mr. Susco reported that he has been elected to a three year directorship position with the Connecticut Section of Water Pollution Control Associations. He explained this position is a direct extension of former member Rob Tarlov, of Colchester. He looked forward to contributing to the Association and to the networking opportunities that the Association can provide.
Mr. Susco requested authorization to attend this year’s annual Water Environment Federation and Technology Conference (WEFTEC) on October 2-6, 2010 in New Orleans, La. He explained this technical education and training conference brings water quality professionals together from all parts of the country and will feature 112 technical sessions addressing topics including collection systems, plant operations, treatment, management training, regulations
and research. WEFTEC is also famous for world’s largest annual water quality exhibition. He has attended the New England meeting in the past but never a national conference.
Mr. Susco indicated this expenditure has been allocated in the budget and due to the conferences location is much lower than in previous years. The members encouraged his attendance and indicated professional training is a key to protecting public health and better serving the local communities.
Mr. Susco reminded the members that there was no scheduled meeting for August and that the next regular scheduled meeting was September, 21, 2010.
Adjournment
Mr. LeMay motioned, seconded by Mr. Lindland, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 P.M.
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Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Joint Facilities Committee on September, 21, 2010
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