Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2008
A special meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Monday, March 10, 2008 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The members in attendance included:
Dag Lindland Dennis Griswold (arrived 5:42PM)
John Hanson Roger Abraham
Mr. Barmasse joined the meeting via a conference call. Mr. Kelsey was not in attendance. Also attending were Vincent F. Susco Jr., Public Utilities Administrator and Pam McCann, Recording Secretary. Also in attendance were Lee Taylor, Taylor Plumbing and Jack Hesen, Economic Development Commission.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 5:37 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the February 12, 2008 regular meeting. Upon motion by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Mr. Griswold, the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 12, 2008 were approved by a 4-0 vote. Mr. Lindland abstained
Revised Agenda:
Due to time constraints Chairman Barmasse requested that the discussion of the proposed sewer connection charge under Old and New Business be taken up at this time. After motion by Mr. Griswold and second by Mr. Abraham, the agenda change was unanimously approved.
New Business \ Old Business
Future Sewer Connection Charges
Mr. Susco reported the Public Hearing for the setting of proposed new and supplemental sewer benefit assessments will be held at the Water Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Treatment Plant. This will be the last meeting for new and supplemental sewer benefit assessments ($700.00/lot +$1,275.00/building=$1,975.00) as the debt associated with the original 20 year financing for the construction of the wastewater system will be paid off and the timeframe for collection of such assessments will be concluded. All assessments set at the Public Hearing will become due May 1, 2008 and payable in full by June 1, 2008. This event sets the stage for the introduction of a sewer connection fee.
Wastewater improvements which will require new financing are several years away, however, it is strongly recommended by management that a sewer connection fee be in place for any request for sewer service after May 1, 2008. This charge should remain in affect until such time that financing arrangements for the new improvements are determined and new fiscal parameters are established.
Mr. Susco presented several models for determining the fee in a memo dated March 11, 2008 which is made part of these minutes.
He summarized the results of the work as follows:
HISTORICAL MODEL: mathematically & financially unacceptable
COMPARISON MODEL: $225.00 to $8,000.00 per EDU
BUSINESS MODEL: $2,500.00 and $2,700.00 per EDU.
PRESENT VALUE MODEL: $6,177.00 per EDU
HYBRID MODEL: as determined by the WPCA
After responding to questions of the members a lengthy discussion followed. The following resolutions were made by Mr. Griswold and seconded by Mr. Abraham, and unanimously adopted at the WPCA meeting of March 10, 2008.
RESOLVED: Effective May 1, 2008 The WPCA does hereby recommend a $2,500.00 sewer connection fee be charge in lieu of a new or supplemental beneficial assessment for Residential single family homes connecting to the existing wastewater system. Furthermore, multiple family homes will pay a multiple of the charge and Commercial/Industrial connections will be based upon actual building area in square feet divided by 2500 square feet times $2500.00. All charges are to be rounding to the nearest whole number.
Furthermore, the connection fee will be due and payable in full at the time a sewer permit is requested. The WPCA may adjust all connection charges upward in the future if the purpose for which the property is utilized changes. However, charges for future property changes which would result in a lower connection charge shall not be honored.
Furthermore, the WPCA reserves the right to charge a connection fee in lieu of a new or supplemental sewer benefit assessment to any property found benefiting from the municipal wastewater system. The WPCA shall, annually review and reestablish the sewer connection charge.
Such fees collected are required, by state statute (sec 7-267), to be deposited into the Town’s Sewer Beneficial Assessment Account, Fund # 64.
RESOLVED: The Public Hearing for establishing a sewer connection fee will be held at 5:00P.M. at the offices of the Water Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Treatment Plant.
Mr. Barmasse left the meeting at 6:12pm. Mr. Griswold presided as acting Chairman.
Public Comments
No comment at this time.
Review of Correspondence
Mr. Susco read thru the short list of correspondence items and explained each one to the board members.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Mr. Susco reported that the budget status remains in line with projections as there where no unanticipated expenses during this time period.
Mr. Susco informed the members that the preparation of the 08/09 operational budgets is still in process. The WPCA expense budget will be made available to members at the conclusion of the March 25, 2008 Public Hearing. Anticipated approval will be at the May 6th WPCA meeting. Water Budgets will be available at the June 3, 2008 meeting for recommendation to the Town Council.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the Town Council will act on a purchase order for the $500,000.00 upgrade\rebuild of the Town Center Water Treatment System at its next scheduled meeting March 11, 2008. The work has been scheduled to coincide with the summer break at the school. Initial scheduling has determined by modifying the treatment process for Well#2 first we may avoid costly water hauling charges.
Mr. Susco reported on the leak at 22 Watrous Street which occurred between Wednesday February 13, 2008 and Friday February 15, 2008. He read into the record a letter of apperception received from the owner, Michael Cummings, for the work of operators.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported that the water station is operating within parameters. The developer still hasn’t responded to Mr. Susco’s request on the status of the corrosion control plan for the water station.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco reported comments on the proposed PWS are nearing completion and that it should be available within a week. He highlighted several issues which remaining outstanding including a presentation which documented the need for a Department of Environmental Protection Diversion Permit.
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates Phase 1A
Mr. Susco reported that the developer has requested a partial construction bond release for the work associated with Clark Hill Road and lots #1-6 and 63-64 on Sunrise Lane a total of 8 lots out of the original 23. The developer’s new construction bond has been received.
Mr. Abraham made the following motion which was seconded by Mr. Hanson and unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: that the Water Pollution Control Authority does hereby approve the release of the Irrevocable Letter of Credit for Skyline Estates, LLC in the amount of $478,500.00, (Banknorth, N.A.-#20001927). The Developer shall submit a new Construction Bond in the amount of $178,500.000 effective March 5, 2008 pursuant to the executed March 21, 2007 Developer’s Permit Agreement. Such Bond shall secure the remainder of the work including but not limited to: approximately 500 linear feet of sewer main on Skyline Drive and the remaining service laterals.
Mr. Susco also reported the developer has not secured all necessary permits from the WPCA to construct the sanitary sewer beyond what was approved in the Developers Permit Agreement dated March 21, 2007. As a result he has shut down any further work at the site pending a meeting with the Developer.
Belltown Place
No activity occurred on this subdivision. .
East Hampton\Marlborough Sewer Connection
Mr. Susco reported that the Town of Marlborough continues to seek authorization for its funding from the Connecticut Bond Commission. The latest concern centers around the financing of the East Hampton portion of the project under the bonding limit of Marlborough. The state accounting system is projecting the EH share ($793,700.00) as part of Marlborough’s bonding total. This affectively is reducing the amount of work Marlborough can accomplish by the amount we need. After several meetings with all parties the State accounting office accepted an amendment to the “Sewerage Transit & Disposal Agreement” between East Hampton and Marlborough. Work began on the amendment by Town Attorney of Marlborough and has been forwarded to the office of Jean D’Aquila for final review.
The following motion made by Mr. Abraham, seconded by Mr. Hanson was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: That the Water Pollution Control Authority does hereby authorize the Chairman to execute amendment #1of the “Sewerage Transit & Disposal Agreement” between East Hampton and Marlborough in the form substantially presented herein and made part of these minutes. Such signature requires the final approval of the Town’s Attorney.
Mr. Susco reminded the members that the next meeting will be immediately following the close of business of the Public Hearing scheduled for 5:00 P.M. on March 25th.
Adjournment
Mr. Hanson motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:04 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
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