Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2010
The regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Dave Kelsey
Roger Abraham Dag Lindland
Elizabeth Mackie was not in attendance. Members of the public present included Mr. Robert M. Gagnon, Manafort Family, LLC, East Hampton CT. Also in attendance were George Pfaffenbach, Board of Finance Liaison, Vincent F. Susco, Jr., Public Utilities Administrator and 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 June 1, 2010 regularly scheduled meeting.~ Mr. Lindland, 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 June 21, 2010 special meeting.~Mr. Lindland, motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham, to approve the minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved by a 4-0 vote.
Public Remarks
Mr. Robert Gagnon representing the Manafort Family, LLC presented information substantiating a request to waive sewer connection charges for six (6) of the eight (8) unit’s being built at # 19 and #23 Lake Drive known as Anthony Cove. Mr. Gagnon indicated he had received information from the WPCA indicating that only the two new units would be charged the $2,500.00 connection charge and that there would be no connection charge for the original six (6) units. In June he received a letter from the WPCA that was not in line with this original information, this letter indicated that a connection fee would be charged for the six (6) demolished units that had been capped.
Chairman Barmasse requested that this item be discussed at this point of the meeting. Management confirmed that the information presented.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the intent of the connection charge. The members agreed in the future there would be no difference between the connection of a new building and the reconnection of a property that has been demolished and rebuilt.
The members authorized management to waive the connection charges for the original six (6) units and management was requested to revise the Rules and Regulations of the Authority to clarify this ambiguity in the future.
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During the conversation Mr. Gagnon offered that he has recently rebuilt 12 & 14 West Street. Management suggested this property be reviewed as part of the on going Sewer Use Audit and that results of the inspection be presented at a future meeting, members agreed.
Review of Correspondence
Mr. Susco responded to questions from the members regarding item #11; Suzanne & Martin Young, 63 Royal Oaks Ave. Mr. Susco explained our billing services company, UBS, was unable to attain a water meter reading from this property. Upon investigation it was determined the integrity of the radio transmitter had been compromised by COMCAST, the cable company. Mr. Susco distributed a photograph of the transmitter showing that the cable company had installed cable service to the property by drilling through the radio transmitter. Mr. Susco notified the customer and suggested that they contact the cable company to install the service correctly and pay for damages.
Board of Finance Liaison
George Pfaffenbach presented an overview of recent financial activities within the Town.
Committee Reports
Joint Facilities Report of Operations
Mr. Barmasse called upon management to present the report of the Regular Meeting of the Joint Facilities Committee held on July 20, 2010. Mr. Susco indicated vice chairman Kelsey presided over the meeting in the absence of Mr. Barmasse.
Mr. Susco indicated the plant continues to operate within parameters for the period. Joint Facilties staff received operating training for the E-One grinder pumps installed as part of the Marlborough System and the newly install Channel Monster. Seasonal inclement weather events continue to result in numerous power failures that require plant personnel attention.
Several operation issues with motor starters continue to plague the operation in Hebron and management continues to evaluate the cause. Management believes that recent improvements will help eliminate the need for service calls.
Several routine maintenance projects were completed including; repair of the of the spray line to the Bioreactor, new seats at several pump locations, valve box maintenance along the Airline Trail, repairs to the Spellman Point Lift station and the clean out of wetwells at the Hebron lift stations.
Management reported on the emergency repairs required on the plant’s Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) thickener. This piece of equipment is critical to the plants operation and has no backup. Management is presently evaluating the cost benefit of replacing the
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unit with an upgraded unit or continuing to repair the exiting unit and expects to have an action item before the Committee in the near future.
The Joint Facilties is at its full employment level with the hiring of a new wastewater treatment plant operator. Mr. Bruce Gudelski of Colchester, CT will start on August 2nd as an Operator-in-Training.
Management presented a financial summary of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. This un-audited report, indicates the Joint Facilties will end up in the black and that several line item transfers will be necessary. The Joint Facilties authorized management to move forward with the required line item transfers based upon the best information presently available however; they could be modified as more timely information is received from the Finance Department.
Management presented an overview of the projected shortfall in revenues as a result of the decline in septage fee revenue (underperformed $41,000.00). Information presented for the last five (5) years indicated that since 2007 both the amount of septage received and the revenues associated with that septage have steadily declined. The members expressed concern that this pattern would continue for this fiscal year and requested further updates in the future.
The replacement of the HVAC system at the administration building is scheduled to begin in the middle of August and would take approximately two (2) weeks to complete.
The State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protections has re-issued nitrogen discharge limits under the plants General Permit. The permit limit for 2015 will remain the same as 2014; for the East Hampton/Colchester plan that limit is 54 pounds.
A lengthy discussion of the current year’s nitrogen credit trading cost followed. Management explained that the optimum conditions for the removal of nitrogen are not during the winter months but during the heat of the summer. The recent involvement of the Water Planet places us in an excellent position to improve on previous years numbers.
Installation of the new Channel Monster began in early June and on June 29th training and acceptance of the new unit was completed. This project was completed on time and under budget. The final cost of the project including engineering was $97,297.00 under the estimated $120,000.00. This cost includes a five year warranty period which will begin after the initial year of warranty service expires for a total of six (6) years of coverage. The unit has been placed on line and will remain our primary grinder during this period.
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Members questioned the need for a similar unit to be located at the Middletown Avenue Lift Station. Management explained in light of the failing condition of the DAF management will need to evaluate where best to place the resources of the Joint Facilties.
Mr. Susco reported that he has been elected to a three year directorship position with the Connecticut Section of Water Pollution Control Associations. He explained this position is a direct extension of former member Rob Tarlov, of Colchester. He looked forward to contributing to the Association and to the networking opportunities that the Association can provide.
Members authorized management to attend the annual Water Environment Federation and Technology Conference (WEFTEC) on October 2-6, 2010 in New Orleans, La.
There will be no scheduled meeting for August and the next regular scheduled meeting of the Joint Facilties will be held on September, 21, 2010.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Mr. Susco indicated there would be no report on the current fiscal year status as it is too early in the year.
Mr. Susco distributed management’s summary of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. He explained, this un-audited report, indicates the WPCA will end up in the black and that several line item transfers will be necessary. He explained the transfers to be presented are the best information presently available however; they could be modified as more timely information is received from the Finance Department. These transfers are made part of the minutes.
The following motion moved by Mr. Kelsey, seconded by Mr. Abraham, was unanimously approved:
RESOLVED: that the WPCA does hereby approve the line item transfers for the WPCA operating account fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 substantially in the form presented at this meeting subject to final audit by the town’s Finance Department.
Mr. Susco distributed management’s summary of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. He explained, this un-audited report, indicates the Town Center Water System will end up in the black while Royal Oaks Water system is in the red. The shortfall in the ROWS is due to the work on well #3 and upgrades to the existing treatment plant. There are several line item transfers that will be necessary. He explained the transfers to be presented are the best information presently available however; they could be modified as more timely information is received from the Finance Department. These transfers are made part of the minutes.
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The following motion moved by Mr. Abraham, seconded by Mr. Lindland, was unanimously approved:
RESOLVED: that the WPCA does hereby approve the line item transfers for the water operating account fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 substantially in the form presented at this meeting subject to final audit by the town’s Finance Department.
The Authority requested management to consider WPCA and Water Operating account line item transfers as an administrative function in the future.
Public Water System
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported that the plant continues to operate within parameter and that no operation variances have occurred. During the annual inspections of the plant’s booster pumps by Hungerford’s, Inc it was reported that the bladder to hydropneumatic tank No. two had failed. The replacement was authorized and has been completed at a cost of $3,500.00.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco explained how periods of high heat affect different water systems. Systems with very few residential customers react very differently than systems that are predominantly residential. The ROWS plant continues to operate within parameters however as a result of the prolonged heat wave demand has been at an all time high. This demand required us to supplement production with the purchase of two deliveries of water (approx 12,000 gallons). All wells (including Memorial School) have been continuously operating for periods of up to 72 hours. There have been several “dirty” water calls addressed as a result of the high demand.
The bearings and impeller have been replaced in booster pump #2. Management is now looking at performing the same maintenance at booster pump #1
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Water System
Mr. Susco reported that comments have been received and reviewed on the proposed water treatment plant for the Belltown water system. We are expecting a final document in the near future.
Hampton Woods Water System
Nothing to report.
Municipal Water System
Mr. Susco reported the water task force will be meeting this Friday August 6, 2010 to discuss the next steps.
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Work continues on the Town’s application under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program and the Town’s Water Supply Plan update being prepared by Milone & McBroom Engineers of Cheshire CT.
Sewer Development
Belltown Wastewater System
Nothing to report.
Hampton Woods Wastewater System
Nothing to report.
Olzacki-Flanders Road
Management indicated the time period for holding the one-year performance bond has expired and that it is now time to formally accept the installation as part of the wastewater system. The property owner has entered into a payment agreement with the Authority that will satisfy the terms of the Voluntary Sewer Lien on or before May 1, 2011. The following resolution moved by Mr. Lindland seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously approved.
RESOLVED: that the Authority hereby accepts as part of the Town’s public sewer system, the sewer installation to serve the 1.80 acre lot known as 14 Flanders Road (5A/59/31) as shown on plans entitled “Robert, Mary Ann & Kristin Olzacki, 14 Flanders Road, East Hampton, CT, Prepared for Robert, Mary Ann & Kristin Olzacki; Date August 1, 2008 as revised through August 27, 2008, by Frank Magnotta, P.E., Consulting Engineer, 395 Main Street, Portland, CT 06480” 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 on the latest results of the sewer use audit. The program continues to provide valuable sewer use information that will be used in the October 1, 2010 billing cycle.
New Business
Mr. Susco updated the members on the progress of the Town’s GIS system and presented an outline of work to be performed in the next fiscal year. He indicated a great deal of work has been completed and that the results of that work can be found on the Town’s website.
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Adjournment
Mr. Kelsey motioned, seconded by Mr. Lindland, to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
Approved by unanimous vote of the Water Pollution Control Authority on September 7, 2010.
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