Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
October 6, 2009
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held immediately following the close of the Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman David Kelsey
John Hanson Roger Abraham
Dag Lindland
Members of the public present included Mr. James Marino, 41 Smith Street, East Hampton, CT and Nat Abraham son of WPCA member Roger Abraham. Also in attendance was Jeffery O’Keefe, Town Manager and Vincent F. Susco, Jr., Public Utilities Administrator. Pam McCann served as recording secretary.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 5:41 P.M. and requested that the agenda be modified to discuss several recent events; Lakeview Court LLC unit assessment, well permit for 41 Smith Street and release of Royal Oaks Phase One. The following motion by Mr. Lindland seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: That the agenda for the regular schedule meeting of the WPCA to be held on Tuesday October 6, 2009 be amended to incorporate discussion and or action on the following topics: Lakeview Court LLC unit assessment, well permit for 41 Smith Street and release of Royal Oaks Phase One.
Chairman Barmasse requested that discussion regarding the well permit for 41 Smith Street be taken up at this time to accommodate Mr. Marino. The members agreed.
Mr. Susco explained the Town Building Department has issued a residential building permit for 41 Smith Street. This building permit included a connection to the wastewater system and a private residential well. This building lot is located within 200’ of the Royal Oaks Water System and pursuant to state regulation 19-13-B51m (Well Permits) the local Director of Health cannot issue a well permit. He explained the rational behind the 1988 regulation and in this case believes an exception should be granted. He explained the development of a private residential well at the above referenced property is not expected to adversely affect the purity and adequacy of the public water wells or service at the Royal Oaks Water System. Mr. Susco has discussed the matter with the owner, the
Director of Health, the Building Department and the State Department of Health and all parties agree that an exception is in the best interests of all parties. After a lengthy discussion the following resolution moved by Mr. Abraham, seconded by Mr. Hanson was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: that the Public Utilities Administrator inform all parties that the development of a private residential well at 41 Smith Street East Hampton, CT is not expected to adversely affect the purity and adequacy of the public water wells or service at the Royal Oaks Water System.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the September 1, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Lindland, motioned, seconded by Mr. Kelsey, to approve the minutes as submitted.
The minutes were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Mr. Marino left the meeting at 5:55 P.M.
Public Remarks
There was no public comment. The members welcomed Nat Abraham who was attending the meeting as part of a school assignment.
Review of Correspondence
The correspondence list was reviewed by the members and management responded to questions regarding the access road at the Royal Oaks Subdivision and indicated questions regarding unit charges would be discussed later in the meeting.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Report of Operations
Chairman Barmasse presented the September 15, 2009 Joint Facilties Report.
The Joint Facilties welcomed new Colchester WPCA member Robert Jones who was appointed to replace former member Kenneth Fargnoli. He reported the plant operated within parameters during the reporting period and the majority of the time was spent performing routine operations and maintenance. During the period the plant was required to go “off-grid” in response to a CPower demand test. This test will provide the data for future load reductions and determine the payment amount for the upcoming year.
Problems with the new Lakeside septage unit persist and although the manufacturer has provided the necessary repairs, management remains disappointed with the performance. The warranty period has been extended to accommodate these latest repairs.
Management presented the semi-annual nitrogen credits update which indicated the credits are in line with the budget.
Mr. Barmasse indicated the Joint Facilties budget remains within parameters and discussed several projects that are being worked on. Improvements to the HVAC system for the Administrative Building will require replacing the present 30 year old air handler with a new high efficiency heat pump utilizing the effluent from the plant. It is believed this new technology will be more efficient for both air conditioning and heating. In addition, this technology will qualify for “green” CL&P rebate and possible geothermal Stimulus funds. The system will also serve a dual purpose as it will also lessen the oil heating load for the building. Final cost numbers are expected at the next meeting.
Action was taken on adding a second Channel Monster for the primary building. The cost of the project (not to exceed $140,000.00) will require that the project go out to bid and presently management is having design and bid contract documents drawn up.
The final project was the awarding of the long over due Administrative roof painting contract. This work at a cost of $45,500.00 is expected to be completed by the end of October.
Mr. Barmasse noted that all three projects are being paid for by Joint Facilities internally generated funds.
Amendments requested by the Town of Colchester to the Intermunicipal Agreement have been completed and both WPCA’s have signed the new Agreement.
Budget Status
Chairman Barmasse called upon Mr. Susco to present the WPCA Budget Status report. He indicated all three budgets remain within parameters and that no new variances have occurred during the period.
Mr. Susco opened the discussion on unit charges for sewer use accounts billed on October 1, 2009 with a recap of the budget process. He explained the final step is the actual billing and collection of the fees. Sewer use fees for residential customers are billed by Equivalent Dwelling Units (1EDU=91,250 gals/yr) commercial customers are billed by a Sewer Use Exhibit developed in the 1980’s or by actual water consumption if available. Mr. Susco explained the problem comes when a commercial property being billed by water consumption fails to have an operating water meter. This event requires the bill to be calculated based upon the exhibit which in this case resulted in two properties East Hampton Rest Homes, LLC (owner Brian and Neeta, LLC) and Lakeview Court, LLC receiving charges that
were considerably higher then previous bills. A lengthy discussion of both properties and possible scenarios to remedy the situation followed. The members agreed each case should be considered on its own merits and that any adjustment in the charges should be considered a one time event. Mr. Susco indicated both property owners have replaced the faulty meters in order to prevent a similar occurrence. After further discussion the members directed management to provide a one time wavier and recalculate the October 1, 2009 bills for East Hampton Rest Homes, LLC and Lakeview Court, LLC based upon the historical highest units charge on record, times the current sewer use fee ($280.00). The following adjustments will be made to:
East Hampton Rest Homes, LLC current bill $5,712.00 (20.4 EDU’s) has been recalculated based upon historical data to $2,800.00 (10 EDU’s in 2001 and 2003).
Lakeview Court, LLC current bill $13,944.00 (49.8 EDU’s) has been recalculated based upon historical data to $6,440.00 (23 EDU’s in 2000).
Mr. Susco provided feed back to the members on three phone calls received regarding the new sewer use charges.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the system continues to run within parameters. Maintenance on the chemical feed system required outside assistance, however, in the future this maintenance will be provided by staff. Mr. O’Keefe requested connection letters be sent to property owners with property adjacent to the distribution system. Members pointed out this might be premature as there has been no formal action by the WPCA or approval by the Town Council on a “Water Connection Policy” being worked on by the Water Development Task Force. Mr. Susco indicated a connection charge has yet to be established. Mr. O’Keefe indicated he will schedule the appropriate action.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported staff has responded to several callouts at the ROWS as a result of continued problems with the chemical treatment system. Management is presently investigating the possibility of installing an automatic blow-off on the wells. This technology will allow the initial water produced by the well to be run to waste thereby eliminating the iron loading on the green sand filters.
Attorney D’Aquila has finalized the closing documents for the road easement with the Developer. Management expects a date for the property closing to be established shortly.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
There continues to be no activity on this project and due to the length of inactivity Mr. Lindland requested that this item be removed from the agenda and the members agreed.
Municipal Water System
The closing on the Greer property has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2009.
Mapping for the three properties on Oakum Dock has been completed and submitted to the property owners for comment. Once all parties agree with the final mapping we can schedule a meeting with the DOHS for their input and final acquisition of the easements.
On September 21, 2009 the WPCA received notification that the Town’s Water Supply Plan is to be revised by September 23, 2010. Mr. Susco has scheduled a meeting with the Health Department (Steve Messer) to take place on October 8, 2009 at the offices of the WPCA. Scheduled to attend are Town Chairman Melissa Engel, Town Council member John Tuttle, Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, and finance Board member Ted Hintz.
Sewer Development
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported F & J’s work on the pipe lines, gravity and pressure, has been completed in both Towns. There have been no more change orders that will affect East Hampton and Mr. Susco expects final cost figures shortly.
Kovac Construction has completed work on Marlborough’s pump station and East Hampton’s Town Line pump station and both have been in service since August 12, 2009. Pumps for the East High Street (American Distillery) pump station in East Hampton are scheduled to be shipped October 26, 2009 and installation is planned shortly after arrival. Additional landscaping by the property owner around the lift station is delaying final landscaping by the contractor until mid –October.
Mr. Susco indicated the first commodity charge invoice has been forwarded to Marlborough. Pursuant to the second amendment of the Sewage Transit and Disposal Agreement, section 7.03, this Commodity Charge amount will be credited against East Hampton's costs for the upgrade to the existing American Distillery Pumping Facility located at 31 East High Street, East Hampton, CT.
Belltown Place
There continues to be no activity on this project and due to the length of inactivity Mr. Lindland requested that this item be removed from the agenda and the members agreed.
Town Manager O’Keefe left the meeting at 6:35 P.M.
Royal Oaks Phase I
Mr. Susco reported that final paving of this phase was completed on September 25, 2009 and that it was now time for the WPCA to accept that portion of the wastewater system completed in Phase One, release the maintenance bond and release a portion of the Voluntary Sewer Lien. He reported at a duly called meeting of the East Hampton Water Pollution Control Authority held on November 1, 2005 that it was unanimously agreed to release the Construction Bond in the amount of $777,000.00 and accept a Maintenance Bond in the amount of $77,000.00 (Platte River Insurance Company #41011389). Pursuant to the to paragraph 16 of the executed March 2, 2005 Developer’s Permit Agreement this bond remains in effect until the project receives final approval.
WPCA Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6
October 6, 2009
There being no questions or discussion the following resolutions moved by Mr. Kelsey, seconded by Mr. Hanson were unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: that the Authority hereby accepts as part of the Town’s public sewer system the sewer system for 36 residential lots on Smith Street, Joseph Court, Nicholas Court and Royal Oaks Avenue collectively known as Phase 1 of the Royal Oaks Residential Community in the Town of East Hampton and depicted on plans or maps entitled “Royal Oaks Residential Community prepared for Pelletier Development Company, LLC, dated September 2, 2003 as revised through November 11, 2004 prepared by Dutton & Johnson, LLC Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers of Glastonbury, CT”. Said plans or maps are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office of the Town of East Hampton, to which reference may be had for a more particular description thereof said acceptance being contingent upon
receipt by the East Hampton Water Pollution Control Authority of a duly executed conveyance instrument, in the form prescribed by the Authority’s attorney.
RESOLVED: that the Authority does hereby release and discharge a portion of the Voluntary Sewer Lien from ROYAL OAKS LLC, a Connecticut Partnership, having its principal place of business in the Town of Glastonbury, County of Hartford in favor of the Authority for real property on which this lien is created in said Town of East Hampton. Such release and discharge consists of Lots: No. 1 and 2 on Smith Street; 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 on Joseph Court; 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 on Nicholas Court; and 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 64 and 65 on Royal Oaks Ave on maps entitled “Royal Oaks Residential Community prepared for Pelletier Development Company, LLC, dated September 2, 2003 as revised through November 11, 2004
prepared by Dutton & Johnson, LLC Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers of Glastonbury, Connecticut” which plans or maps are on file in the Town Clerk’s Office of the Town of East Hampton, and recorded in the East Hampton Land Records on March 2, 2005 in Volume 419, at Page 636-638.
Old Business
No old business was presented.
New Business
Chairman Barmasse reported that a public hearing was conducted prior to this meeting to accept comments on new sewer connection and sewer connection permit fees. There being no public comment the following resolution moved by Mr. Lindland seconded by Mr. Kelsey was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED: that the Authority does hereby adopt the following sewer connection and sewer connection permit fees effective October 6, 2009:
Gravity Sewer Permit: $125.00
Grinder Pump Permit: $175.00
Fats, Oil Grease Permit: $300.00
DEP Discharge Permit: $250.00
Developer’s Outlet Charge $2,500.00*
Residential Sewer Connection Charge $2,500.00
Comm/Ind Sewer Connection Charge $2,500/2500/sq ft.
Sewer Connection Charge (Marl) $4,460.00
* charge is assigned at the time a Developer’s Permit Agreement is signed
Mr. Susco reported that Elections of Officers should have taken place at the end of the fiscal year and apologized for the oversight. After a short discussion by the members the following resolution moved by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Mr. Lindland was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED: in accordance with Section 4.02 of the Regulations creating a Water and Sewer Commission effective August 18, 1987 Mr. Mark Barmasse is hereby elected Chairman and Mr. David Kelsey Vice-Chairman. Such appointments shall expire on June 30, 2010.
Adjournment
Mr. Kelsey motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 6.55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on November 3, 2009.
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