Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2010
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman
Dag Lindland (arrived 6:04)
John Hanson
Roger Abraham
Dave Kelsey
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 December 1, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Kelsey, motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, 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
Mr. Susco presented the November 23, 2009 letter from Mr. Wayne Rand that proposed an alternative method of determining the 2009/10 sewer use bill for Lakeview Court, this alternative method would have resulted in an additional reduction than what had been previously granted by the WPCA. After a lengthy discussion, the members determined this alternative method to be unacceptable as it would not comply with the WPCA regulations governing sewer use charges. In particular the members questioned whether or not it would be fair and reasonable to develop a special method of billing for one property owner in light of the fact that there were multiple property owners that demonstrated similar circumstances.
The WPCA decision to reduce the original sewer use bill was determined to be reasonable and fair and that no further change was warranted to the 09/10 sewer use bill.
Mr. Susco was requested to prepare a letter to Mr. Rand explaining the decision.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Report of Operations
Chairman Barmasse reported there was no Joint Facilities meeting in December.
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 GIS funding and line item #5730 Improvements Other Than Buildings for improvements at the East High Street lift Station. He indicated both of these variances are to be considered permanent and that a transfer will be needed prior to the close of the year.
Mr. Susco reported the permanent variance in line item #5430 Bldg & Equip Maint/Repair for the Royal Oaks Water System was a result of the emergency replacement of the #3 well pump replacement. He also indicated additional funds will be necessary to replace the failed chemical pacing meter at the station.
Mr. Susco reported expenses are within guidelines at the Town Center Water System. Production, however, is well behind normal as a result of the numerous closings in the Town Center. This reduced production directly relates to the sharp fall-off experienced in revenues. He explained it is highly unlikely this trend will be reversed in the near future and that the members should consider this trend permanent at least for the remainder of this fiscal year.
Mr. Hanson questioned the “delinquency rate” and if the Town had a water termination program. Mr. Susco indicated monthly aging reports are prepared by the Town’s outside vendor, Utility Business Solutions and these reports are reviewed by management and a shut off list is prepared monthly. This procedure has resulted in a very low receivable balance. All fees associated with the shut procedure are billed to the customer.
Mr. Barmasse questioned the negative balances in line item #’s 5120, 5220 and 5221 P/T Seasonal, Medicare and Social Security Accounts in both water budgets. Mr. Susco explained this is a budget over site that will require a transfer from line item #5436 Water & Underground Tank Testing. The original budget recommended by the WPCA and adopted by the Town Council had 12.5% of the part-time salary budgeted in these line item.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the water system continues to perform within its’ design limits. Production continues to track below normal as a result of a lower customer base.
Mr. Susco presented the Utility Business Solutions, LLC (UBS) contract for renewal. Mr. Susco explained the terms of the agreement. This five year agreement holds the current pricing on all services performed by UBS thru the end of this fiscal year and for a two year period thru June of 2012. A 5% increase is proposed for the final three years beginning July 1, 2012. Management responded to questions from the members regarding the quality and timeliness of the services performed. Management indicated this was the third company we have engaged to perform these services over the last eight years and that their performance was a cut above the others. Management recommended we accept the contract. The following resolution moved by Mr. Lindland, seconded by Mr. Hanson was unanimously
approved:
RESOLVED: that management be authorized to engage Utility Business Solutions, LLC of West Hartford, Connecticut to perform certain water related billing and customer services activities for the Community Water Systems owned by the Town and operated through the WPCA, as proposed substantially in the form presented at this meeting and is made part of these minutes.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported the system continues to experience problems with the chemical feed equipment. Several alternatives have been investigated and the least expensive solution seems to be replacing the current failed system with newer technology that will be more reliable and will assure continued compliance with the State Health Code. Management estimates this repair will be about $1,500.00 and will proceed with the replacement
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Water System
Mr. Susco reported work on this system has entered Phase II with the submission of a design for the water treatment plant. The Developer (Pelletier Development Company) has hired Precision Engineering, LLC of Mansfield, CT to prepare the design and on December 21, 2009 this office received two copies. GeoInsight, LLC, which performed the Phase 1 and 1B analysis, will be performing the review of the submission. Members questioned if this project was the first to be reviewed under the Town’s recently adopted Regulations for the Acceptance of Public Water Systems under the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Mr. Susco indicated it was not.
Hampton Woods Water System
Mr. Susco reported the Developer has received 8-24 approval from Planning and Zoning. Tata & Howard Inc, of Meriden, Connecticut will be performing the water system design review and CLA Engineers will review the sewer plans. Mr. Susco provided an overview of the project to the members as several members were not on the board at the time this project was originally proposed.
Municipal Water System
Mr. Susco updated the members on the recent activities surrounding the acquisition of the water easements and water rights. Members complimented management on the progress and questioned future activities. A lengthy discussion followed on several project/items:
- Signed Easement Documents need to go to DOHS
- Prel - Meetings with DOHS (well site approval reqmt.) and DEP (DP reqmt.)
- Building removal and clean up at the ST. Clements Property
- RFQ for a Project Manager
- Remediate ESA II at the ST. Clements property
- Relocate Barton Septic System by 4/1/10
- Water Supply Plan update for DOHS by 9/1/10
- Pilot Plant/Ground Water Under the Influence (GUI) Study
- Construction Plans
At the conclusion of the discussion Mr. Lindland suggested management capture the topics discussed for presentation to the Town/Public Water System Task Force.
Sewer Development
East High Street/Marlborough
Mr. Susco reported the East High Street (American Distillery) pump station has been functioning since mid-December. Landscaping will be completed as soon as the weather permits. Management continues to work on a final accounting for the project.
Belltown Wastewater System
No activity was performed on the sewer system.
Hampton Woods Wastewater System
Plans have been submitted to CLA for review and comment.
Old Business
Mr. Susco reported no new members have been appointed to the Authority.
New Business
Mr. Susco reported on newly proposed Stream Flow Regulations from the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. He presented an overview of the regulations and indicated water companies with surface water supplies may be significantly impacted. The regulations go so far as to impact certain groundwater aquifers. Management review of the regulations indicates the Town’s proposed wells in Cobalt will not be affected however; the Town’s next increment of supply which is earmarked to come from beyond the boundaries of the Town may be significantly impacted. A Public Hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2010 in Hartford. Management continues to work through the Legislative Committee of the Connecticut Water Works Association who will be presenting
testimony at the hearing.
Mr. Susco reminded the members there is no meeting scheduled for February and that the next scheduled meeting of the WPCA will be March 2, 2010. For those members on the Joint Facilities Committee their next meeting is February 9, 2010.
Adjournment
Mr. Lindland motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 6:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on March 2, 2010.
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