Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 1, 2010
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Dave Kelsey Dag Lindland
John Hanson Elizabeth Mackie
Roger Abraham was not in attendance. Also in attendance were Jeffery O’Keefe, Town Manager, Vincent F. Susco, Jr., Public Utilities Administrator and Pam McCann who served as recording secretary.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the March 2, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Kelsey, motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson, to approve the minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the May 4, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Kelsey, motioned, seconded by Mrs. Mackie, to approve the minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved by a 5-0 vote.
Public Remarks
There was no public in attendance.
Review of Correspondence
Mr. Susco reported all items listed would be discussed during the course of the meeting except for item #2; Dawn Kenney, 92 Main Street. Mr. Susco explained Mrs. Kenney’s water supply connection from fire house #1 has been permanently disconnected per the State Health Code. The only water service to the property is from the Village Center Water System.
Board of Finance Liaison
No liaison was present.
Committee Reports
Joint Facilities Report of Operations
Mr. Susco presented the Regular Meeting of the Joint Facilities Committee held at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 2010 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as Chairman Barmasse was not in attendance.
Mr. Susco indicated the plant ran within parameters for the period. Routine maintenance items included dewatering, maintenance on the primary tanks and the start up of the sodium hypochlorite system for the summer season.
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Work has started on the installation of a second “channel monster” at the primary building. There was no progress on the vacant wastewater operator position.
Mr. Susco reported the budget continues to be within guidelines and the variances previously reported continue. He reported the labor associated with the recent heavy rain events has been accounted for.
The second “invitation to bid” on the HVAC system has been issued and bids are due on Thursday May 20th. Once all reviews have been completed Mr. Susco expects an award to be made for the work shortly. Work on locating a new firm to monitor alarm calls has been completed. Associated Security Corporation of East Hartford, CT will monitor all remote stations in all towns for a $1,560.00 annual fee. Associated Security will maintain the current pricing through 2013 and they will replace all the dialers at their own expense.
Mr. Susco reported on the Federal Government’s FEMA Disaster Declaration for the lower counties of Connecticut. He explained there is an opportunity for the Joint Facilties to file a claim and possibly recoup the expenses associated with the recent rain events. He recently attended the Applicant’s Briefing in Old Saybrook and upon submission and acceptance of the “Participation Forms” preliminary forms, a meeting will be schedule with a FEMA representative.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Mr. Susco reported on the WPCA budget. He reported line item #5330 and #5430 will remain over budget throughout the year. A full accounting will be available at the August meeting.
Mr. Susco reported on the financial status of the Town Center Water System. He mentioned there have been no new variances and the expenses should remain under budget. Revenues continue to be below budget due to lack of business downtown.
The financial status of the Royal Oaks Water System was discussed in light of the major upgrade required as a result of the failure of Well #3. Mr. Susco explained all expenses for this project are being captured in account #5430 Bldg Equip Maint\Repair.
2010/11 F/Y Community Water System Operating Budget
Mr. Susco presented the proposed 2010/11 operating budget for the two (2) public water systems operated by the WPCA. Input from the Town Manager had only minor adjustments to the bottom line. The recommended budget for both systems totals $111,424.00 and represents an increase of 18.35% or $17,280.00 over last year with the majority of this increase being associated with the operation of the ROWS.
Mr. Susco proceeded to review several revenue scenarios and after a lengthy discussion that included the additional $10.00 surcharge for the customers of the ROWS, the following resolution moved by Mrs. Mackie, seconded by Mr. Hanson was unanimously adopted:
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RESOLVED: That the WPCA does hereby recommend that the Town Council approve the 2010/11 water operating budget substantially in the form presented and that the following rate structure be adopted effective July 15, 2010.
- Commodity Charge: $4.72/1000 gallons
- Equivalent Meter Unit: $11.10/EMU
Mrs. Mackie and the Mr. O’Keefe, requested that Mr. Susco include an average monthly bill in his report to the Town Council that will be presented at the June 22, 2010 meeting of the Council. Mr. O”Keefe requested that the next bill include a notation of the proposed water rates and invite interested property owners to attend the meeting.
Public Water System
Mr. Susco reported on the operations of the TCWS; the system continues to perform well since the upgrade to the treatment plant. Several annual maintenance procedures are being planned to take place during the school vacation period. Mr. Susco reported four (4) letters have been send out to prospective customers and that a follow-up meeting is planned with one of the property owners on June 4, 2010.
The ROWS modifications have been completed on schedule and all elements of the modifications are performing satisfactorily. Mr. Susco praised the vendors for their cooperation as the timeline for completion was very aggressive. The final inspection by the DOHS will be made on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. We fully expect a satisfactory report and permission to place Well #3 back on line and into the system. Mr. Susco mentioned all the updates had been posted to the town’s web site during the process.
Upon request of the Town Manager the $10.00 per EMU surcharge will be billed at a later date.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Water System
No report.
Hampton Woods Water System
Mr. Susco reported that the State DEP has requested that the Hampton Woods Diversion Permit Application submitted by Milone & MacBroom be withdrawn without prejudice. Mr. Susco explained that the DEP has requested the Developer to perform the 5-day pump test during traditional low streamflow conditions. The Developer has agreed and has withdrawn his request.
Mr. O’Keefe questioned the affect this event had on the Town’s approval process for the subdivision. After a lengthy discussion management was requested to prepare a letter addressed to Planning and Zoning.
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Consumer Confidence Report
Mr. Susco presented the Consumer Confidence Reports for 2009. There were no questions asked by the board members. The reports are made part of the minutes.
Municipal Water System
Mr. Susco explained the recent delays encountered in the relocation of the septic system on the Barton Property. He anticipates this will become a fall project as the property owner has expressed no desire to start the project during the summer season.
Mr. Susco reported The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Drinking Water Division (DPH), has awarded the Town of East Hampton the #1 ranking for eligibility for Public Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements funded under Connecticut’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program for federal fiscal year 2009-2010.
In response to this $3,388,000.00 (original request was $5,800,000.00) award the Town is prepared to move forward on the project development costs for the following work items that are expected to be contracted for a municipal water system in the next 12 months, $190,000.00 for piloting studies for water treatment plant construction and operation, $225,000.00 for program management and $2,973,000.00 for engineering costs for the final design and construction documents for a wellfield, water treatment plant, low service water storage tank, administration/maintenance and booster station building and corresponding transmission mains.
The Public Hearing for the program is to be held on June 2, 2010 and management will be in attendance. Mr. Susco does not expect any change in the rankings and anticipates a formal announcement from the DOHS to come in early July.
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Sewer Development
Belltown Wastewater System
No report.
Hampton Woods Wastewater System
No report.
Clark Hill Lift Station and Highland Terrace acceptance and Bond Release
Mr. Susco reported the time period for the a one year Performance Bond in the amount of $24,500.00 authorized at the April 7, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting of the East Hampton Water Pollution Control Authority for the Clark Hill Pump Station and lots #22, 23, 25, 26, 27 & 28 on Highland Terrace had expired.
Management recommended that it be returned to the Developer. This bond is represented by a Banknorth Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit #20003065 in the amount of $24,500.00. At the present time all conditions of the September 15, 2008 Voluntary Sewer Lien have not been met and it will not be released at this time.
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The following resolution moved by Mrs. Mackie, seconded by Mr. Lindland was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED that the Authority does hereby returns the Banknorth Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit #20003065 in the amount of $24,500.00 to the Developer and accepts as part of the Town’s public sewer system, the upgrades to the Clark Hill Pump Station and the sewer system for 6 residential lots (#’s 22, 23, 25, 26 27, & 28) on Highland Terrace known as “Skyline Estates–A Single Family Residential Subdivision, Clark Hill Road/Midwood Farm Road, Prepared for the Skyline Estates, LLC, 42 East High Street East Hampton, CT. Date: December 16, 2005 as revised through August 29, 2006, by Land Resource Consultants, Inc, Cromwell, CT.” which 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.”
Old Business
Sewer Use Charge Audit
Mr. Susco reported that 20 locations have been inspected to date and an additional five (5) locations are expected to be completed this month.
New Business
Upon motion by Mr. Lindland and seconded by Mr. Kelsey the board unanimously agreed to re-elect Mr. Barmasse as Chairman and Mr. Kelsey as the Vice Chairman for the period ending June 30, 2011.
Mr. Susco presented a letter of resignation from member John Hanson. The Authority accepted the resignation with regret and thanked him for his many years of service and invaluable knowledge he imparted at the meeting. Each member wished him their best, good health and long life. Mr. Hanson has been invited back to attend any future meetings as a honorary past member of the WPCA.
Adjournment
Mr. Kelsey motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on August 3, 2010.
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