Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2009
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Dag Lindland Dave Kelsey John Hanson Mark Barmasse
Robert Heidel
Greg Allen and Roger Abraham 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 5:34 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the April 7, 2009 regular meeting.~ Mr. Hanson, motioned, seconded by Mr. Kelsey, to approve the minutes. Mr. Lindland abstained from the vote. The minutes were approved by a 4-0 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 questions regarding the Clark Hill P.S. fence upgrade and the Water Quality Violations at the Royal Oaks and Village Center water systems.
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 April 21, 2009.
Mr. Barmasse reported the Joint Facilities adopted the 2009-2010 Operating Budget and approved the annual disbursements/transfer as recommended by management. Management has been requested to prepare language modification for Inter-municipal Agreement regarding the closing date for annual flow data. This change will allow the preparation of the Operation Budget sooner in the year to accommodate the budget cycle of Colchester.
Mr. Susco reported on the pre-construction meeting for the upgrades to the East High Street pump station. Work is scheduled to begin by the end of the month. In response to questions from the members Mr. Susco was requested to present a payoff model for these upgrades at the next meeting.
Budget Status
Chairman Barmasse called upon Mr. Susco to present the WPCA Budget Status report. Mr. Susco provided additional information for the following line items that are anticipated to exceed budget:
- #5330 – Prof Tech Services; this is the unbudgeted expenses associated with the wastewater system as it pertains to the Town’s GIS project.
- #5430 – Bldg & Equip Maint/Repair; will remain over budget as a result of unexpected maintenance at two lift stations.
- #5622 – Electricity; this account seems to be over encumbered
- #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 paved driveway.
Management presented the 2009/2010 Operating Budget. Mr. Susco explained only one change has been made to the budget since it was reported on at the last meeting. As a result of the adoption of the Joint Facilities budget the Town of East Hampton’s share has been reduced. Management recommended that the 2009/2010 Operating Budget be established at $967,814.00. This represents an increase of $3,138.00 or .0.33% over the previous year. After a short discussion the following motion moved by Mr. Kelsey, seconded by Mr. Heidel was unanimously approved:
RESOLVED: That the Water Pollution Control Authority does hereby approve the 2009-2010 fiscal year WPCA Operating Budget, substantially in the form presented at this meeting and made part of these minutes.
Mr. Susco reminded all members that management’s recommendation for the revenue budget will be presented at the September meeting after the close of the fiscal year.
Mr. Susco indicated the financial status of the VCWS and ROWS remains within parameters. He reminded the members that a draft Operating budget for both water systems operated by the WPCA will be presented at the next meeting.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Chairman Barmasse called for the operation status of the TCWS. Mr. Susco indicated the treatment plant continues to operate within parameters and that there were no operational issues. Work has begun on the premises of several customers to repair shut off valves. This work, paid for by the customer, will facilitate shut downs in the event of an emergency.
Mr. Susco referred to the letters included in their packet which acknowledged the completion of all requirements in the Consent Order at the VCWS. The members complimented Mr. Susco on the accomplishment.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported on continuing problems with the treatment system at the ROWS. To date the water quality and quantity have not been comprised but a resolution needs to be addressed soon as labor costs increase.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
No activity on this project.
Federal Stimulus Package
Mr. Susco reported the State Department of Public Health (DPH) has released the rankings for the American Resource Recovering Act (ARRA) funding.~ Although the Town’s submission for funding of the municipal water system received the second highest total of points our project was ranked 83rd out of 163 applications and did not qualify for funding under the ARRA.
~
The DPH completed a systematic review of all ARRA eligibility applications. Projects eligible to receive financial assistance through the ARRA were ranked and prioritized using criteria established for the DPH’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program in combination with construction readiness and green project goals established under the ARRA. The key criteria used in the ranking process were:
- Construction readiness
- Meeting green project goals
- Enhancing public health protection
- Achieving compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act
- Addressing economic need and infrastructure sustainability. ~
Accordingly, the top 30 projects appearing on the Draft ARRA Project Priority List include those projects that were fully designed, had local funding resolutions in place and were purported by the water system applicants to be ready to initiate construction prior to June 17, 2009. The Town’s submission was determined not to meet this criterion. The remaining 135 projects that were not at this stage of readiness were ranked based on the estimated construction start date
reported by the water system applicants. The top 10 projects on this comprehensive project list are proposed to receive ARRA funds.~Projects that are not proposed to receive ARRA funds are eligible to receive low interest loans from the DWSRF Program.~
Water System Budget
Mr. Susco distributed management’s recommendation for the 2009/2010 water systems operating budget. He apologized for not having a narrative prepared and explained he is without a computer. As soon as it is repaired he will forward to all members the narrative. Mr. Susco went thru the line items of the budget and explained formal action is scheduled for the next meeting. Upon WPCA action the budget will be presented to the Town Council for adoption.
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates
Mr. Susco reported all Performance Bonds and the one remaining Construction Bond are now in place.
Belltown Place
There is nothing to report at this time
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported on a pre-construction meeting for the improvements at the East High Street Pump Station. Work is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks and take approximately 3 months.
Work continues on the low pressure force main along Route 66/East High Street and installation of property laterals.
Flanders Road Force Main Extension
Installation of the force main has been completed and has successfully been tested. Depending upon the weather, paving is scheduled for next week. A partial release for reaching substantial completion can be expected for the next meeting.
Old Business
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
There is nothing to report at this time
New Business
Mr. Susco reluctantly reported that Mr. Gregory Allen has indicated he will be relocating out of Town and that he will be resigning from the committee in the near future.
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 June 16, 2009.
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