Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2008
A special meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
John Hanson Mark Barmasse Greg Allen Dag Lindland
Dave Kelsey and Roger Abraham were not in attendance. Also in attendance were Michael, Cheri and Kristin Olzacki, 14 Flanders Road, Peter Hughes, Director of Planning, Town of Marlborough and Janet Brooks, Town Attorney. Representing the WPCA was Vincent Susco, Public Utilities Administrator, and Pam McCann, recording secretary.
Town representatives in attendance included; Jack Hesen, Economic Development Commission, Robert Heidel, Water Development Task Force and James Carey, P&Z & Building Official (arrived at 5:55pm).
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M.
Mr. Susco introduced Peter Hughes from the Town of Marlborough.
Revised Agenda:
Chairman Barmasse requested that the Flanders Road Force Main be discussed at this time to accommodate the Olzacki family. Upon motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Hanson it was unanimously approved to revise the agenda.
Flanders Road Force Main Extension
Mr. Susco indicated the Authority has received a request to extend the wastewater system to accommodate the 1.80 acre lot known as 14 Flanders Road (5A/59/31). The existing
subsurface sewage disposal system is inadequate to meet the needs of the owner as identified by the Town’s Director of Health. This single lot request consists of approximately 900 L.F. of 2” low pressure force main in Flanders Road connecting to a gravity manhole in Summit Street. CLA Engineer, Inc has reviewed the latest revisions of the plans which incorporate all comments from the WPCA and has presented the appropriate estimates for construction ($55,000.00) and inspection ($4,000.00). The owner will be required to install two additional force main laterals, at his expense, to serve the intervening properties. In addition, a Utility Easement is required over State property and we will require a non-service caveat on the plans and land records should the parcel be
subdivided in the future. The Public Hearing required by the WPCA was conducted prior to this meeting. The following resolution moved by Mr. Hanson and seconded by Mr. Lindland was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Water Pollution Control Authority hereby approves the sewer construction plans to serve the 1.80 acre lot known as 14 Flanders Road (5A/59/31) as shown on plans entitled “Robert, Mary Ann & Kristin Olzacki, 14 Flanders Road, East Hampton, CT, Prepared for Robert, Mary Ann & Kristin Olzacki; Date August 1, 2008 as revised through August 27, 2008, by Frank Magnotta, P.E., Consulting Engineer, 395 Main Street, Portland, CT 06480” and execution of the standard
Developer's Permit Agreement for the property.
The Developer is required to construct a sewer force main with up to two (2) connections for future use for the Town of East Hampton at an estimated construction cost of Fifty Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) including a contingency amount, as therein provided. Developer shall further submit a construction performance bond satisfactory to the Authority, in favor of the Town of East Hampton, in the amount of Fifty Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) to cover the work called for by the said Developer’s Permit Agreement, which sum includes the construction cost plus contingency. Developer is further required to deposit with the Authority the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) to defray the anticipated construction inspection expenses and administration costs associated with this
project.
The Developer is further required to pay a building lot outlet charge in the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for the building lot known as 14 Flanders Road (5A/59/31). Such outlet charge is payable at the time of lot transfer, or the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, whichever is earlier.
The Authority’s approval is expressly conditioned upon the Developer executing said standard form Developer's Permit Agreement, the standard form of Voluntary Sewer Lien covering such outlet charges for real property, a Utility Easement document over State property, a non-service caveat on the plans and land records should the parcel be subdivided in the future and is conditioned further upon the Developer submitting such performance bond and said deposit. The required performance bond may be satisfied by letter of credit, cash bond or surety bond.”
The Olzacki family left the meeting at 6:15P.M and the Authority returned to the agenda items.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the September 2, 2008 public hearing meeting. Mr. Lindland, motioned, seconded by Mr. Allen, to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a 4-0 vote.
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the September 2, 2008 regular meeting. Mr. Allen, motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson, to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a 4-0 vote.
Public Comments
There was no public comment.
Review of Correspondence
The correspondence list was reviewed by the members and is attached to these minutes. Mr. Susco indicated several of these items would be discussed later in the meeting. Mr. Allen questioned item #6, a correction to a sewer use bill. Mr. Susco explained October is the annual billing for sewer use fees. Historically we will receive several inquires from property owners for corrections as a result of changes at the property. After a site inspection by the WPCA we inform the property owner with a letter. He indicated we can have increases and decreases as a result of the site visit.
Economic Development Committee
Mr. Hesen reported on the following:
· The town is planning a celebration similar to “First Night in Hartford” in December.
The EDC is assisting with the preparation which will include a tree lighting ceremony.
· The toy store “Over the Rainbow” will be opening soon in the Belltown Square.
· The EDC has forwarded a draft “Blight Ordinance” to the Town Council for their approval.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Mr. Susco reported the plant participated in the August 28, 2008 demand response program exercise with CPower (fka Demand Direct). The results indicated the plant returned more electricity to the grid than expected. This will result in an increased refund for the Joint Facilities.
Several power outages resulted in a sharp increase in overtime hours for the staff.
The most recent round of DEP Certification Testing has resulted in two of our wastewater treatment plant operators receiving Class II status. This represents the highest grade level the plant has received since 2000.
The WWTP has been selected to participate in a New England Wastewater Envirionement Association program that will study the Plant’s effectiveness at nitrogen removal. We were selected as one of three plants in New England and represent the small treatment plan class. Mr. Susco explained this was quite a prestigious honor and is a direct reflection of the abilities of the Plant’s Superintendent Scott Clayton.
Mr. Susco reported AECOMM\Earth Tech has been selected to prepare the NPDES. Based upon their previous work on the permit he was confident in their selection and reported the cost was under what had been budgeted.
Budget Status
Mr. Susco reported on the budget status of the WPCA and Water Operating accounts. He indicated that it remains early in the fiscal year and that all account line items remain within parameters.
Mr. Susco reported on the results of the long term investing completed by the Finance Department. He reviewed the guidelines established by the WPCA for the investment of $750,000.00 from the East Hampton WPCA Capital Fund. Mr. Susco indicated these funds were co-mingled with $600,000.00 from Joint Facilties and laddered in Certificate of Deposits in a manner that provides the best return for the WPCA with no portion of this investment exceeding a 15 month period. He provided the following summary:
Amount Rate Maturity
$300,000.00 2.36% December 10, 2008
$325,000.00 2.70% March 10, 2009
$350,000.00 3.07% June 10, 2009
$375,000.00 3.27% September 10, 2009
Public Water System
Mr. Susco updated the members on the progress of the Consent Order. Work is finishing up at the water treatment plant on the process control system, the wiring, sample lines, recorders and chemical feed tanks.~ The hydropnuematic tank is scheduled to be cut, removed and the cellar wall sealed next week.~ The holes have been cored for the intake and exhaust piping for the air stripper.~ The exhaust piping will be mounted on the school building Monday, Columbus Day to avoid any inconvenience from the noise of the impact hammers.~
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The DPH has told us we could begin utilizing the new system with Well #1 prior to ‘final completion’ of the project.~ Once the system is ready, the engineer & this office will submit the required paperwork and sample results.~ ~We anticipate a start up the week of October 20th.
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Mr. Susco reported on the relocation of the sewer main in Bevin Boulevard. Bonding from the contractor was received and has been deemed appropriate by the Engineer.~ A pre-construction meeting was held Thursday, October 9, 2008. Working hours will be 8:00AM to 4:30 PM and local traffic patterns will be maintained by the Police Department. Depending upon the availability of the material the work is tentatively scheduled to start next Wednesday, October 15, 2008 and take approximately two weeks. The WPCA will send a first class letter to all property owners on Bevin Blvd. & Bevin Road to notify them of the work and an article will be placed in the Friday local papers and on the Town web-site.~ A payment schedule for the work will be submitted to the Finance Department and all quantities
must be verified by the engineer.
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Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported operations of the water system continue utilizing well #2 and the temporary treatment and booster pumping station. Hopefully Well #1 will be on line by next Friday.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported that the DPH has approved our corrosion control measures and that construction plans are now being prepared for submission on November 15, 2008.
Revised Agenda:
Chairman Barmasse, on behalf of Mr. Peter Hughes, requested that the East High St\Marlborough Wastewater System be taken up at this time. Upon motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Hanson it was unanimously approved to revise the agenda.
East High Street\Marlborough Wastewater Sewer System
Mr. Susco introduced Mr. Peter Hughes, Planning Director for the Town of Marlborough, and together they presented an update of the work. He explained the pipe contractor, F&J Inc, has expedited the installation of the sewer main. Work is scheduled to be finished by December 23, 2008. Mr. Hughes and Susco explained a representative of Weston & Sampson had been scheduled to attend the meeting to explain the cost overruns associated with the piping installation. Until a representative can be present, any further discussion was tabled.
Mr. Hughes and Mr. Susco expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of attention to detail demonstrated by the engineering firm. Mr. Susco explained this pattern is very disconcerting and due to the magnitude of the project and it must be addressed.
Mr. Hughes provided a history of the meetings with the owner of American Distilling Co., for an easement to bury electrical conduit. All of our attempts to mitigate the concerns of the property owner have resulted in a delay in the project; additional cost to both the Town’s and now seems to have met an impasse. Mr. Susco explained the plan to have the standby generator relocated on the Mallard Cove property is now in jeopardy if we cannot access the generator with a buried electrical conduit on the American Distilling property. The property owner’s requirement to repave the entire parking lot would result in a very costly overrun in the project cost. Mr. Susco pointed out the original plan to have all infrastructure installed within the current WPCA easement, thereby
eliminating the need for an additional easement and costly repaving, was turned down by the property owner due to aesthetic reasons.
Kovac Construction, the pump station contractor, has provided a Notification of Claim to the Engineer and the Town for a delay under the Contract.
A lengthy discussion followed. Management was instructed to resurrect the original plan whereby all infrastructure for the upgrade be installed within the current WPCA easement and to strongly insist that a representative of the Engineering firm be present at the November 4, 2008 meeting of the Authority.
Mr. Hughes left the meeting at 6:55 P.M.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco reported the developer and the Town representatives continue to work to resolve their differences. At the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC) subcommittee meeting held on October 14, 2008, the Developer agreed to fund the cost of aquifer testing at the site to determine whether sufficient water supply is available.
Hampton Woods
There is nothing to report at this time.
Revisions to PWS Guidelines
Mr. Susco, with the assistance of Attorney Janet Brooks, presented the revisions to the Public Water System guidelines. The members discussed these revisions along with other comments. After a lengthy discussion, the following resolution moved by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Lindland was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Water Pollution Control Authority hereby adopt the revised “Guidelines for Acceptance of Public Water Systems under the Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity” substantially as presented and made part of these minutes.
For the next meeting management was requested to investigate the protocols for establishing regulations for the acceptance of public water systems under the DPUC certificate process.
Adjournment
Due to the length of the meeting a prior engagement of the Chairman, Mr. Barmasse tabled the remaining items on the agenda until next meeting.
Mr. Lindland motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
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