Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 3, 2009
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Dag Lindland
John Hanson Roger Abraham
Dave Kelsey was 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 October 6, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Hanson, motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to approve the minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved by a 4-0 vote.
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the October 6, 2009 Public Hearing.~ Mr. Lindland, motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson, to approve the minutes as submitted. 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. Management reported on items #3 and 4; adjustments to the East Hampton Rest Home, LLC and Lakeview Court, LLC sewer use bills. Management provided additional information regarding a sewer odor complaint at the Westchester East trailer park.
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 October 20, 2009 Joint Facilties Report.
The Joint Facilties welcomed Mr. Craig Wagner of the engineering firm of Camp Dresser and McKee, LLC (CDM) who presented an overview of the requested second Channel Monster to replace the obsolete comminutor at the primary building. He explained the
present design of the headworks and the rationale for the installation of a second Channel Monster. Referring to the two proposals (distributed to the members with the mailing of the meeting package) from CDM, Mr. Wagner explained the design and bid package for the purchase, the process for soliciting bids, the timetable for the project and the installation of the unit.
After responding to questions from the members, management reported on the financing of the estimated $140,000.00 project. To pay for this work a transfer of $140,000.00 from the Joint Facilities Undesignated Fund Balance was discussed. This transfer will have no effect on the bottom line of the operating budget nor effect the contributions from either the Town of East Hampton or Colchester. The Joint Facilties authorized management to proceed with engineering services for final design, preparation of contract documents and bidding services with CDM for the purchase and installation of a second Channel Monster at a lump sum cost of $9,600.00 and instructed management to award the bid for the purchase and installation of a second Channel Monster based upon direct positive experiences on
projects of similar scope and size with a company having the lowest responsive and responsible bid at a cost not to exceed $120,000.00. Should the project proceed, management was authorized to proceed with engineering services with CDM for the general services during construction and resident project inspection on a time and material basis not to exceed $9,000.00.
Chairman Barmasse reported the plant operated within parameters during September and that replacement of the original soffits on the Administration Building had been completed in preparation for the painting of the roof.
Mr. Barmasse reported that Joint Facilities staff has been trained on the operations of the new North Main Street pump station located in Marlborough and that the most recent failure of the new Lakeside Septage Receiving Facility has been traced to a faulty flow valve and sensor. Additionally, the plant has reached its authorized headcount with the hiring of a full time operator and the layoff of one part time operator.
Mr. Barmasse reported contract negotiations continue and that management has not completed the financial analysis for the HVAC improvements for the Administration Building. The Wastewater Treatment Plant annual storm water certification has been forwarded to the State.
New business discussed by the Joint Facilties included the GIS project undertaken by the WPCA of East Hampton, changes to the East Hampton/Colchester Inter-municipal Agreement with the Town of Marlborough and the recent inquiry from the Town of Lebanon for connecting of the Amston Lake area of Lebanon to the wastewater system.
Budget Status
Chairman Barmasse called upon Mr. Susco to present the WPCA Budget Status report. He reported on variances in line item #5330 Professional\Tech Services for additional funds for the GIS project and line item #5690 Other Supplies\Materials for additional grinder pumps.
Mr. Susco reported that both water budgets; Town Center and Royal Oaks Water systems, remain within parameters.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the water system continues to perform within its design limits. At the present time the system is delivering water at less than 50% capacity. Mr. Barmasse questioned the status of the “Water Connection Policy” for those properties located on the distribution system of the system. Mr. Susco explained at the present time the Water Task Force needs to address the connection charge associated with the use of this excess water.
At this Mr. Hanson expressed his thoughts regarding the connection charge, members pointed out this is a Town decision and that the WPCA will operate the system as determined by the Town.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the system continues to have problems with the chemical treatment system. Work is proceeding on the installation of automatic blow-offs on the wells to allow the initial water produced by the well to be run to waste thereby eliminating the iron loading on the green sand filters.
Although the final language of the easement documents for the Royal Oaks Water System has been approved by all parties, Attorney D’Aquila has not received the documents for execution. Management will continue to push for a resolution.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Mr. Susco indicated there was no new information regarding proposed public water systems.
Mr. Susco informed the members of the new State Health Department changes effecting ground water supplies. On December 1, 2009, all Public Water Systems using groundwater sources of supply will be required to comply with provisions of the Ground Water Rule (GWR). The “Triggered Source Water Monitoring” component of the GWR will require systems to test all of their active groundwater sources for a fecal indicator (E.coli) whenever there is a total coliform or E.coli/fecal coliform positive sample in the distribution system. The “Triggered” source water sample must be collected within 24 hours of receiving notification of the total coliform-positive sample.
Additionally raw water sampling taps for each groundwater source of supply will be required and modifications to the sampling site plan made to allow the use of representative sampling locations for triggered source water monitoring,
Mr. Susco felt confident that all Town supplies operated by the WPCA will meet the new regulation. He explained this cannot be confirmed until each source is inspected by the Health Department.
Municipal Water System
Mr. Susco updated the members on the proposed municipal water system and the actions necessary in the immediate future. He reported the Town must finalize the well site sanitary radius details before it can submit the information to the Department of Public Health (DPH). He explained the two items delaying the submission which are the relocation of a private septic system located within the sanitary radius and a property line dispute between two of the property owners will be resolved.
Management went on to explain that the Town’s Water Supply Plan must be updated and submitted before September 13, 2010. Mr. Susco has had initial discussions with the Town Manager to incorporate this work into a “Request for Qualifications” for an engineering firm to act as project manager for a proposed water system. Funding for this WSP update and final design for construction could come from the remainder of the 2007 Federal Grant.
Mr. Susco continued with the action list. He explained that the recent Town Meeting approving the acquisition of a sanitary easement also included the cost to remediate the area and demolish and remove the buildings and personal property on the ST. Clements parcel. He suggested this work be authorized for 2010 as this must be done prior to the one year ground water under the influence (GUI) study that must be performed under the Town’s August 5, 2003 well site approval.
Sewer Development
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported the long awaited pumps for the East High Street (American Distillery) pump station in East Hampton have arrived. The installation of these pumps will require that the electrical service to American Distillery be temporarily discontinued, To avoid a loss of production this work has been scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2009.
Mr. Susco attended the October meeting of the Marlborough WPCA to explain the Joint Facilties labor invoices pursuant to the operating contract between the two Towns and the WPCA commodity charge pursuant to the transit and disposal agreement. Property owners along the collection system are being connected but they are highly weather dependent. He does not expect very much flow until the spring construction season. Mr. Susco explained such low flows could cause odor concerns and to avoid this occurrence the Bioxide (odor control) equipment has been running at full capacity.
Mr. Susco reported there has been some recent activity on the Hampton Woods project located off of East High Street which has been dormant since 2006. Management has received a request to verify the sewer assessment for a 253 unit town house proposal.
Mr. Susco expressed several concerns that the developer must be made aware of several items. The WPCA no longer requires a sewer assessment but rather a connection charge established pursuant to a Public Hearing held on May 20, 2008. Property owners desirous of connecting to the wastewater system will be required to pay a connection charge of $4,460.00 per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) in full at the time a wastewater permit is taken out. He also explained that at the present time the WPCA does not have a submission that can validate that 253 town house dwelling units are proposed for this property. Finally this project has not been approved by the Town’s Planning and Zoning under section 8-24.
Mr. Susco indicated he will be coordinating his response with the Town’s Building Department.
Old Business
No old business was presented.
New Business
With the recent changes made to the Town of Colchester and the Town of East Hampton Inter-municipal Agreement management has proposed similar changes to section 7.02 of the SEWERAGE TRANSIT AND DISPOSAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON, EAST HAMPTON WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY AND TOWN OF MARLBOROUGH, and MARLBOROUGH WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY. Section 7.02 is revised as follows: Payments shall be made quarterly based upon a fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending June 30th, such payments to be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of an~invoice for such fees from EHWPCA.~~The following motion made by Mr. Lindland seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: that the Authority does hereby authorize Chairman Barmasse to sign the revised SEWERAGE TRANSIT AND DISPOSAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON, EAST HAMPTON WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY AND TOWN OF MARLBOROUGH, and MARLBOROUGH WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY, substantially in the form submitted at this meetng.
Management reported on the fall conference of the Atlantic States Rural Water and Wastewater Associations. He reported recent changes at the Rural Development Agency (f/k/a the Farmers Home Administration) have eliminated the Town of East Hampton from receiving funding for water and wastewater projects. He explained that during the development of the Town’s Initial Water Supply Plan this Agency was counted upon heavily for funding of water infrastructure projects in Cobalt and Middle Haddam and that this funding stream is no longer available.
Mr. Kelsey requested information on the new medical building being constructed on East High Street. Mr. Susco indicated this will be the future home of local dentist Dr. Mantikis, D.M.D. The facility has been connected to the wastewater system and is being provided potable water by the Connecticut Water Company which owns and operates the Laurel Ridge Water System.
Adjournment
Mr. Lindland motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 6:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on December 1, 2009.
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