Water Pollution Control Authority
Special Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2009
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Robert Heidel Dave Kelsey John Hanson
Dag Lindland, 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 5:40 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the May 5, 2009 regular meeting.~ Mr. Kelsey, motioned, seconded by Mr. Heidel, to approve the minutes.
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 provided additional information regarding the request to reestablish manholes to grade along Route 16 and Forest Street.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
No report was given as all members at the WPCA meeting were present for the Joint Facilties meeting held prior to this meeting.
Budget Status
Chairman Barmasse called upon Mr. Susco to present the WPCA Budget Status report. Mr. Susco reported several unusual expenses that have been reported at previous meetings, have made this year’s budget much tighter than in the past.
In order to provide more timely information we have begun to receive a weekly “Open Purchase Order” and “Budget Status” for each cost center.
End of year transfers are being prepared for the next meeting scheduled for the August 4th meeting. Mr. Susco also 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 VCWS will end its fiscal year in the red due to the maintenance completed on Well#1. The ROWS will remain within the operating budget and should end the fiscal year in the black.
Mr. Susco continued the discussion begun at the last meeting regarding the development of the Marlborough Commodity Charge and how these revenues will impact the WPCA budget. He explained, by agreement with Marlborough, the “commodity charge” is determined by dividing the previous years total gallons of wastewater treated by the Joint Facilities by the next fiscal years approved Joint Facilties budget. This commodity charge fee for the 09/10 fiscal year has been determined to be $3.24 per thousand gallons.
This commodity charge is then multiplied by the amount of wastewater to be received from Marlborough in the 09/10 fiscal year. Mr. Susco presented an exhibit, made part of these minutes, which simulated this calculation. Furthermore, he explained how this funding was going to be used to offset WPCA expenses incurred as part of this project i.e. repayment of the Capital Fund followed by the Sewer Development Fund.
Mr. Susco concluded his presentation with several speculative scenarios as to what the WPCA may want to consider after East Hampton completes this payback to the above funds. He thought this would be a discussion to be taken up by the board in three to four years.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Chairman Barmasse called for the operation status of the TCWS. Mr. Susco reported the VCWS continues to perform within parameters. The new chlorine monitor recently failed and has been send back to the manufacturer. This repair cost or replacement will be covered under the warranty period of the upgrade. Until its return the operators are required to monitor daily the chlorine residual on a manual basis.
In relation to the Town’s Water Supply Plan recent legislation has been passed extending the time frame for its submission. This will postpone the need for Town funding for 3-4 years.
Mr. Susco mentioned the water main extension on Skinner Street is progressing. Several questions have arisen regarding the physical connection for the service lateral. He explained the easement documents are quite clear that the town only provides water to the boundary of the property. From there it is the owner’s responsibility to connect.
The 2008 Consumer Confidence Reports for the VCWS and the ROWS were mailed and are made a part the minutes.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported one more solenoid valve still needs to be replaced. It has been back ordered and delivery is expected shortly. The “media” for one of the green sand filters has been changed and water quality seems to be improving. Management feels that due to the poor raw water quality the solenoid valves should be changed out every three years and the media every other year.
Solving an ongoing problem, the recent addition of the corrosion control system has helped raise the pH of the finished water.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
There has been no activity on this project.
In another matter regarding the proposed municipal water system, Mr. Susco distributed copies of Mr. O’Keefe’s letter to the CTDPH requesting clarification of the Town’s ranking under the American Resource Recovering Act (ARRA) funding.~
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Water System Budget
Management presented the proposed 2009/2010 operating budget for the two (2) public water systems operated by the WPCA for action. Management anticipates presenting the WPCA recommendation to the Town Council at their June 23, 2009 meeting.
Mr. Susco explained revenues for the VCWS water systems are tracking behind what was projected due to several properties that became vacant during the year and revenues for the ROWS are lower then projected due to lower per capita consumption and fewer customers than projected. As of March 31, 2009 revenues for both systems totaled $32,605.00. On a pro forma basis revenues for this year were projected to be $42,900.00. This will be $9,500.00 under budget for the combined water systems.
Delinquent accounts have been minimized with the institution of monthly billing, however we are required to remain vigilant with our collection efforts.
As of March 31, 2009 total expenditures for both systems were $57,000.00. We are presently estimating expenditures to be in line with what was been budgeted for the fiscal
year at $93,895.00. A fund deficit of $50,915.00 ($93,895.00-$42,980.00) at 6/30/09 is projected. This of course would be subject to a final audit.
Expenditures for 2009/2010 are being projected at $94,145.00 or 0.27% higher than last year. Projected revenues have been estimated at $53,430.00 including the proposed increase in water rates - see below). On a pro-forma basis this will result in an annual fund deficit at 6/30/10 of $40,715.00.
Mr. Susco presented a current water rate comparison sheet which included a pier group of 6 water utilities (4 municipal and 2 private). Under the current water rates established last year, the typical annual cost of water (72,000 gpy) for customers served by the Town is $357.00. By comparison:
Average of pier group: $435.08
Average of 4 surrounding Towns: $396.90
Average of the 2 private CWS in EH: $511.44
Mr. Susco recommended additional increases in both EMU (8.5%) and Commodity charge (5.0%) to offset continuing increases in operating costs and the desire to reduce the Town’s Contribution requirement. The annual cost of water for customers served by the Town with these new rates would be $373.56 yielding a 4.6% increase.
A great deal of time was spent discussing rate increases higher than recommended. Mr. Barmasse felt this was the purview of the Town Council and that the WPCA had completed its charge. The following resolution moved by Mr. Heidel, seconded by Mr. Hanson was unanimously adopted:
The WPCA does hereby recommend that the Town Council approve the 2009/2010 water operating budget substantially in the form presented and that the following rate structure be adopted effective July 15, 2009.
- Equivalent Meter Units: $9.30/EMU
- Commodity Charge: $3.638/1000 gallons
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates
There is nothing to report at this time.
Belltown Place
There is nothing to report at this time.
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported the generator, transfer switch and VFD’s have been delivered to the site and that the cut-in of the by-pass at American Distilling will be scheduled shortly.
Flanders Road Force Main Extension
Mr. Susco mentioned that on June 8, 2009 our engineers determined this project has reached substantial completion. Pursuant to the October 15, 2008 Developer’s Permit Agreement the Developer shall now have the $55,000.00 Construction Bond (Platte River Insurance Company, #41159195) received for this project returned.
A new bond, a Performance Bond, in the amount of $5,500.00 will now be required from the Developer and will remain in effect for a period of one year beginning June 16, 2009.
The following resolution was made by Mr. Hanson and seconded by Mr. Kelsey:
RESOLVED: that the Water Pollution Control Authority does hereby approve the release of the Construction Bond represented by the Platte River Insurance Company, #41159195 for B&M Excavating Inc, Flanders Road Force Main Construction in the amount of $55,000.00. The Developer/Contractor shall submit a new Performance Bond in the amount of $5,500.00 effective June 16, 2009 pursuant to the executed October 15, 2008 Developer’s Permit Agreement. Such Bond shall secure the construction integrity of the work performed for a period of one year.
Mr. Hanson left the meeting at 6:40 PM.
Old Business
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Mr. Susco reported that Mr. Black, representing the Shaw’s Water Company, if the Town East Hampton would like to buy the water system from Shaw’s. Mr. Susco requested Mr. Black put the offering in writing.
New Business
There is nothing to report at this time.
Next meeting is August 4, 2009.
Adjournment
Upon agreement by the members, the meeting closed at 6:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on August 4, 2009.
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