Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2008
A regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Roger Abraham Dag Lindland
Robert Heidel David Kelsey
Mr. John Hanson and Greg Allen were not in attendance. Also in attendance was Mr. James O’Brien from Weston & Sampson Engineers. Representing the WPCA was Vincent Susco, Public Utilities Administrator, and Pam McCann, recording secretary.
Town representatives in attendance included; George Pfaffenbach, Board of Finance.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.
East High Street\Marlborough Wastewater Sewer System update
Mr. Barmasse introduced Mr. O’Brien of the Weston & Sampson Engineers (WSE) to update the members on the progress of the Marlborough wastewater system specifically the pipe work in East Hampton and easement required for the Distillery Pump Station upgrade.
Mr. O’Brien reported the extras reported at the last meeting, totaling $172,142.00, remains the same and no new additional costs have been determined. The 2” low pressure line on the south side of Route 66 will be installed off of the pavement before the project is shut down for the winter. His progress report is made part of these minutes.
Mr. Susco reported a transfer of $125,000.00 from the WPCA Capital Budget has been accomplished to cover this additional expense.
Mr. Susco reported that the property owner for the upgrade at the East High Street Pump Station in East Hampton has accepted the WPCA’s latest sewer easement proposal. Work has begun on a final easement document and associated mapping to finalize the new easement. Mr. Susco is hopeful the document can be completed and approved at the December 18, 2008 Town of Marlborough WPCA meeting.
Mr. O’Brien completed his report with an update of Contracts #3 and #4, service laterals and grinder pumps for Marlborough. Mr. Susco indicated that neither of these contracts affects the WPCA. However, the Joint Facilities has been requested to maintain the grinder pumps installed as part of this project. He reported the grinder pump contract has been awarded to include approximately 130 Environmental-One grinder pumps and that the Town of Marlborough will be responsible for providing spare units and parts.
Mr. O’Brien responded to several questions of the members before departing the meeting at 5:45P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the November 4, 2008 regular meeting. Mr. Lindland, motioned, seconded by Mr. Kelsey, to approve the minutes as presented. The minutes were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Public Remarks
There was no public comment.
Review of Correspondence
The correspondence list was reviewed by the members and is attached to these minutes. Mr. Lindland questioned item #4, Radon Remediation. Mr. Susco reported that two of the 99 grinder pumps grinder pumps maintained by the Town are located within the basements of the homes. This property at 65 Bay Road is in the process of being sold and as such has been determined to be at risk from radon. In order to seal the basement floor and prevent radon from leeching into the basement a containment system around the grinder pump had to be installed. In the event of maintenance this containment system would not be responsibility of the WPCA.
Economic Development Committee
No liaison was present.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No report was presented by Mr. George Pfaffenbach.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Chairman Barmasse reported on the minutes of the November 14, 2008 Joint Facilties Committee meeting. He stated that the plant ran within parameters, however, the plants heating system continues to require attention and a spare motor has been order at the suggestion of the technician.
The members authorized the transfer of $290,203.00 from the Joint Facilities Undesignated Fund Balance to the Joint Facilities Operating Fund to fund the replacement of the second Lakeside Screen/Basket, replacement of the Moyno Sludge Pump and Septage Receiving Facility Improvements and Prof/Tech Services for the remaining professional services for the septage receiving facility.
Work continues on the replacement of the Septage Receiving facility. Management has been able to lock in a December 29, 2008 delivery date for the Lakeside equipment. Members complemented management for the expediting of this project.
AECOMM\Earth Tech, continue to work on the NPDES permit.
No further activity has occurred regarding the Town’s request to obtain a purchasing wavier for the emergency replacement of equipment in excess of the Town’s purchasing guidelines.
Mr. Susco attended the November 19, 2008 Managers Forum held by the Department of Environmental Protection. Items of interest included the proposed Phosphorus Regulations and the requirement to develop a Sewer Service Map. The Joint Facilties will be exempt from the new regulations and is ahead of the curve regarding the mapping request.
Mr. Barmasse concluded with the Joint Facilties holiday scheduled for 2008 and meeting schedule for 2009.
Budget Status
Mr. Susco reported on the budget status for the WPCA and Water Operating accounts. He indicated all budgets remain within parameters. The authorized transfer from the last meeting from the Capital Budget has been accomplished.
Mr. Susco reported on the November 21, 2008 meeting with Utility Business Solutions the company providing water meter reading and billing services. At the request of management a formalized termination procedure has been developed to assure compliance with the appropriate Department of Public Utilities termination regulations. Management outlines the responsibility of both parties and responded to several questions of the members.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the new water treatment system is working within parameters. He discussed the November 24, 2008 letter of the Town Manager to the DPH for the lifting of the Consent Order against the Town.
The chemical cleaning of Well #1 has been temporarily postponed until the next meeting of the Water Development Task Force where Mr. Barmasse anticipates expenditure guidelines for recommended maintenance can be established.
Mr. Lindland requested that a tour of the newly modified treatment plant be scheduled. Mr. Susco indicated due to limited available space, groups of two to three individuals is best and requested and discussed the availability of the operators to act as tour guides.
Mr. Susco concluded indicating that installation of the water main in Skinner Street has been postponed until the spring of 2009.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported continued water quality issues have resulted in several days of flushing and modification of the treatment process. He believes the water quality issues stem from seasonal variations as a similar occurrence resulted in November of 2007.
Work continues on the installation of corrosion control equipment.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco reported that the aquifer stress test has been completed and a report is due shortly. Management conducted three site visits during the test and was pleased with the condition of the site and professionalism of the contractor.
Hampton Woods
Management reported the State DPH conducted a Phase 1A site visit during the past week. Although management was made aware of the visit no representative from the WPCA attended. Issues regarding the Town’s P&Z 8-24 requirement continue to be a concern.
Public Water System Guidelines
Mr. Susco presented the draft Regulations which had been distributed with the member’s package. A lengthy discussion followed with action on the proposal being tabled to allow the members additional time to review the information.
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates
Work has begun on the Clark Hill Pump Station improvements.
Belltown Place
There is nothing to report at this time
East High Street/Marlborough
This topic was covered earlier in the meeting
Hampton Woods II
There is nothing to report at this time
Flanders Road Force Main Extension
Mr. Susco reported work continues on the securing of a utility easement across the State property.
Old Business
No old business was discussed.
New Business
Development of a Sewer Service Area Map
Mr. Susco indicated the WPCA has complied with this requirement as part of the Facilties Plan submitted in 2005. This information along with the November 4, 2008 letter from DEP will be shared by Mr. Susco at a December 3, 2008 Planning and Zoning workshop.
Meeting schedule for 2009
Management presented the proposed meeting schedule for 2009. The following resolution moved by Mr. Kelsey seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED, that the regularly scheduled meetings of the Water Pollution Control Authority are held on the first Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted, at the Treatment Plant at 5:30 P.M. The dates for 2009 are as follows:
January 6 February (no meeting) March 3
April 7 May 5 June 2
July (no meeting) August 4 September 1
October 6 November 3 December 1
Mr. Susco presented a recommendation to operate under the normal weekend/holiday hours (7:30AM to 9:00AM) on Friday, December 26, 2008 which was approved by the Joint Facilties Committee. The members agreed.
Election of Officers
Mr. Barmasse presented the next agenda item, the Election of Officers in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Regulations Creating a Water and Sewer Commission effective August 18, 1987. After a short discussion it was the consensus of the members to reappoint the existing members. The following resolution moved by Mr. Lindland by Mr. Abraham was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED, Mr. Mark Barmasse is hereby elected Chairman and Mr. David Kelsey Vice-Chairman. Such appointments shall expire on June 30, 2009.
WPCA representation on the Joint Facilties Committee
Mr. Barmasse indicated that the Joint Facilties continues to have a vacancy for one East Hampton Representative. Mr. Lindland indicated he would like to fill the position and with the consensus of the members he was appointed to the committee.
Adjournment
Mr. Kelsey motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
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