Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2009
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Roger Abraham Dave Kelsey John Hanson Mark Barmasse
Robert Heidel
Greg Allen and Dag Lindland were not present. Also in attendance was Vincent F. Susco, Jr., Public Utilities Administrator. Pam McCann served as recording secretary.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the March 3, 2009 regular meeting and the minutes of the March 3, 2009 Public Hearing.~Mr. Hanson, motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to approve both sets of minutes. 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. Susco responded to several questions from the members.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Chairman Barmasse reported on the Joint Facilities Committee meeting of March 17, 2009. He indicated the agenda called for two presentations:
- Mr. Craig Wagner, Camp Dresser and McKee Engineers, presented a summary of the recently installed Septage Handling Improvements at the plant. The project which has reached the substantial completion stage will be on line in the next few days. The remaining items include paving and final landscaping. He indicated the project has been completed well in advance of the projected 270 day completion date and within budget.
- Mr. John Tuttle, Council member for the Town of East Hampton, reported on the efforts of the Town of East Hampton to reduce energy consumption. He explained that the infrastructure associated with the operations of the Joint Facilities has been identified as a possible point of savings. He requested the cooperation of the Joint Facilties Committee in reaching the goal of a 10% savings in energy.
Mr. Barmasse, with the assistance of management, presented an overview of the 2009- 2010 Joint Facilties budget. In addition to the financial ramifications this year’s budget included a request for restructuring as a result of the addition of the Marlborough Wastewater System and an aging workforce. Formal adoption will take place at the April 21, 2009 meeting.
Budget Status
Chairman Barmasse called upon Mr. Susco to present the Budget Status report. Mr. Susco provided additional background information to two line items:
- #5430 – Bldg & Equip Maint/Repair; will remain over budget as a result of major maintenance at the East High Street lift station.
- #5730 – Improvements other than Bldgs; this new account was necessary to reflect the WPCA’s contribution to the upgrade of the fence for the Clark Hill pump station and a driveway.
Mr. Susco began a discussion of the proposed 2009/2010 fiscal year operating budget which is attached and made part of these minutes. A review of the expense portion of the budget followed with discussion and additional detail being provided where appropriate. At this point in time no Joint Facilities Budget has been adopted therefore no action may be taken at this meeting. Adoption is anticipated at the May 5, 2009 meeting. As in the past, management will be recommending a revenue budget at the September meeting after the close of this fiscal year.
Mr. Susco indicated that as in the past the budget has been prepared under a philosophy of zero-based budgeting, i.e. to provide for all 2009-2010 expenses at the same expenditure rate as 2008-2009. Management’s proposed budget reflects an increase in expenses of $6,813.00 or .71% over last year. A lengthy discussion followed regarding all increases/decreases.
Mr. Susco concluded his presentation by reminding all members of the symbiotic relationship between the Joint Facilities budget and the WPCA budget.
Management estimates an increase in user fees will be 1.5% - 2.5%.
In response to a question from the Chairman Mr. Susco indicated the Town Water Budgets will be available in late May.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Chairman Barmasse called for the operation status of the TCWS. Mr. Susco indicated the treatment plant has exceeded his expectations and that the water system continues to operate within designed parameters. He also indicated that all line items remain within budget except for the work authorized by the Water Development Task Force on Well #1 over the Christmas holiday.
He reported the final work associated with the Town’s Consent Order at the Village Center has been scheduled for next week. Per an agreement with the Town’s Board of Education and Mr. Kevin Reich payment for the work will be through the BOE. Mr. Susco anticipated the work to cost less then $3,000.00
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported on continuing operational problems associated with the chemical feed systems at the station. No State water quality parameters have been violated, however, these esthetic episodes continue to require additional manpower to resolve.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco reported there has been little activity on this project since the approval of Phase 1B of the “certificate process”. Recent discussions with the developer have not specified any timetable for the work.
Mr. Susco concluded the public water system of the agenda with a report on the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) which was signed into law by President Obama. He explained the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has applied to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for a capitalization grant under ARRA Title VII entitled State and Tribal Assistance Grants. The funding will be used to provide low interest loans and subsidies to finance public drinking water infrastructure projects. He then presented the Town’s “Public Water System General Application for Approval or Permit.” This document developed in conjunction with GeoInsight Engineering of Middletown, Connecticut was submitted just prior to the April 9, 2009 deadline and sets the
stage for possible funding of the town proposed water system.
Members complimented management on the effort especially under such short time constraints.
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates
Mr. Susco distributed several pictures of the work associated with the upgrades at the Clark Hill Road pump station taken by WPCA member Mr. Hanson. Mr. Susco reported the developer has requested a partial release of the Construction Bond as a result of reaching the substantial completion point of the Clark Hill Pump Station and six (6) additional lots on Highland Terrace. This work has been reviewed by our Engineer and the following resolution made by Mr. Hanson seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: that the Water Pollution Control Authority does hereby authorize a $245,000.00 reduction to the Banknorth, N.A. Letter of Credit # 20002788. The Developer shall submit a new Construction Bond (or amendment to the existing LOC) in the amount of $221,000.00 effective April 7, 2009. Such Bond shall secure the remaining work, represented by the 19 unaccepted lots, authorized in the September 8, 2008 Developers Permit Agreement.
FURTHERMORE, the Developer shall post a separate Performance Bond in the amount of $24,500.00. Said Performance Bond shall represent the one year warranty period for the Clark Hill Pump Station and lots #22, 23, 25, 26, 27 & 28 on Highland Terrace beginning April 7, 2009.
Belltown Place
There is nothing to report at this time
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported the East High Street Pump Station easement documents have been signed by both parties. He explained payment has been requested and upon Mr. Jackowitz’s return from a vacation will be delivered. The Town of Marlborough has issued the required notification as to the start of work and a pre-construction meeting is scheduled for later in the month.
Mr. Susco reported work has begun on the remaining items for the Marlborough wastewater system. Sections of the pipe are being hydrostatically tested along Route 66 and electrical work is being finished at the new town line pump station. The anticipated completion date remains July 1st.
Flanders Road Force Main Extension
Mr. Susco reported the anticipated opening of asphalt plants should facilitate the completion of this project.
Old Business
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
There is nothing to report at this time
Public Water System Regulations
Mr. Susco reported codification of the recently adopted regulations is being handled by the Town Clerk, Ms. Sandra Wieleba. This item is on the Town Council agenda for Tuesday, April 14, 2009
New Business
There was no new business presented at this meeting.
Adjournment
Mr. Heidel motioned, seconded by Mr. Kelsey to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on May 5, 2009.
| 
