Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2008
A regular meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority was held on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at the East Hampton W.P.C.A., East Hampton, CT. The members in attendance included:
Mark Barmasse, Chairman Greg Allen Dave Kelsey
John Hanson Roger Abraham Dag Lindland
Also attending were Jeffery O’Keefe, Town Manager, Vincent F. Susco Jr., Public Utilities Administrator and Pam McCann, Recording Secretary. Also in attendance were George Pfaffenbach, Board of Finance Liaison and Jack Hesen, Economic Development Commission. Members from the public included Michael Olzacki, 14 Flanders Road.
Call to Order
Chairman Barmasse called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M.
Mr. Susco introduced the new Town Manager Mr. Jeffery O’Keefe and all members introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Barmasse called for the approval of the minutes of the August 5, 2008 regular meeting. Mr. Kelsey, motioned, seconded by Mr. Hanson, to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a 6-0 vote.
Public Comments
Mr. Michael Olzacki, 14 Flanders Road, who has a pending sewer main extension before the Authority, had several questions. He was concerned should additional property owners beyond his property be provided sewer service that his request would be delayed. He also questioned how the recently released contract to reconstruct Flanders Road would affect his request.
With the permission of the Chairman, Mr. Susco was requested to respond. He explained this sewer extension was necessitated by poor soil conditions at the site and has been ordered by the Director of Health to connect to the sewers. To the best of the knowledge of the WPCA there are no other properties in the area in a similar circumstance. He indicated the proposed extension has been engineered to account for expansion should circumstances change. There should be no reason for the project to be delayed. Mr. Susco indicated he will contact the Director of Public Works to determine the time frame for reconstructing Flanders Road and have this information available prior to the public hearing.
Revised Agenda:
Chairman Barmasse requested that the Flanders Road Force Main be taken up at this time. Upon motion by Mr. Abraham seconded by Mr. Allen it was unanimously approved to revise the agenda.
Flanders Road Force Main
Mr. Susco indicated the Authority has received a request to extend the wastewater system to accommodate the 1.80 acre lot known as 14 Flanders Road (5A/59/31). The existing subsurface sewage disposal system is inadequate to meet the needs of the owner as identified by the Town’s Director of Health. This single lot request consists of approximately 900 L.F. of 2” low pressure force main in Flanders Road connecting to a manhole in Summit Street. Our engineer has reviewed the latest revisions of the plans which incorporate all comments from the WPCA and has presented the appropriate estimates for construction ($55,000.00) and inspection ($4,000.00). We will require the owner to install two additional force main laterals, at his expense, to serve the intervening properties. In
addition, a Utility Easement is requited over State property and we will require a non-service caveat on the plans and land records should the parcel be subdivided in the future. The project is now ready to move to public hearing.
The following resolution moved by Mr. Hanson seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Water Pollution Control Authority of the Town of East Hampton, Connecticut, will hold a public hearing at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, in East Hampton, Connecticut, on the 7th of October 2008, at 5:45 P.M. to consider whether or not to approve construction of a proposed extension of the public sewer system connecting into the existing sewer system on Summit Street, East Hampton Connecticut. This extension is 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”. Said map is on file for public inspection in the East Hampton Water Pollution Control office, 20 Gildersleeve Drive, East Hampton, Connecticut.
Mr. Olzacki left the meeting at 6:15P.M.
Review of Correspondence
The correspondence list was reviewed by the members and is attached to these minutes. Mr. Susco indicated a full report on the easements associated with the Marlborough Wastewater system will be presented later in the meting.
Economic Development Committee
Mr. Hesen reported on the following:
· The town is planning a celebration similar to “First Night in Hartford” for the Town in December. This year it appears to be a tree lighting ceremony only.
· The EDC has paid for an additional redevelopment study plan for the Village Center.
· A physician’s office to be located on Route 66 in front of Laurel Ridge is waiting to break ground.
· EDC has been assisting the American Distilling Corporation with building a new facility along Route 66.
· Theater Square, North Main Street, will have a new tenant soon.
· The Radio Shack Corporation may have found a store location in East Hampton.
Town Council Liaison
No liaison was present.
Board of Finance Liaison
Mr. Pfaffenbach reported that the Finance Board did not meet in August.
Mr. Pfaffenbach left the meeting at 6:25 P.M. for another meeting.
Operations, Management & Budget Committee
Mr. Susco reported Joint Facilities did not have a meeting in August.
Budget Status
Mr. Susco reported on the budget status of the WPCA and Water Operating accounts. He indicated that it remains early in the fiscal year and that no variances have occurred.
Mr. Barmasse presented the new Sewer Permit and Developers Outlet Charges which were the subject of the Public Hearing held prior to this meeting. The following resolution moved by Mr. Lindland seconded by Mr. Abraham was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Water Pollution Control Authority of the Town of East Hampton, Connecticut does hereby establish the following rates effective September 2, 2008:
Gravity Sewer Permit
$100.00
Grinder Pump Sewer Permit $150.00
Fats Oil & Grease Permit $275.00
Developers Outlet Charge $2,500.00
The sewer connection fee set at $2,500.00 on March 25, 2008 and the sewer connection fee set at $4,460.00 on March 10, 2008 for the connections associated with the Marlborough waste water system were not changed.
Mr. Susco presented the proposed revenue budget for fiscal year 2008/09 which had been distributed to members with the mailing of the meeting package. He discussed the operating fund balance and the necessity for a sewer use fee increase as a result of increasing operational expenses. A review of the most recent expenses associated with grinder pump repairs indicated an increase in the grinder pump sewer use charge was also be necessary.
The following motion made by Mr. Abraham seconded by Mr. Lindland was unanimously approved by the board:
RESOLVED: Effective October 1, 2008 the sewer use rate for the October 1, 2008- September 30, 2009 is established at $270.00 per gravity unit and an additional $80.00 ($350.00) per grinder pump that is maintained by the WPCA.
Mr. Susco reported on the balance of the Beneficial Sewer Assessment account and suggested that a long term investment vehicle would be more suited for this account. Mr. Lindland questioned who would actually perform the transaction. Mr. Susco indicated the actual transfer would be handled by the Finance Department.
The following motion made by Mr. Kelsey seconded by Mr. Allen was unanimously approved by the board.
RESOLVED: that management is hereby authorized to invest $750,000.00 of the Sewer Beneficial Assessment account in long term investment vehicles subject to the recommendation of the Director of Finance. No portion of this investment shall exceed a fifteen (15) month period.
Public Water System
Mr. Susco presented a powerpoint presentation depicting the activity at the Village Center Water system to date.
Bid packages for the water main extension on Skinner Street and the relocation of the sanitary sewer on Bevin Boulevard are due September 10, 2008. Five bid packages were picked up so far.
Town Center Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported operations of the water system continue utilizing well #2 and the temporary treatment and booster pumping station.
Royal Oaks Water System Operations
Mr. Susco reported all three wells at the treatment plant have been running to meet the high demand. The plant continues to perform as designed.
Proposed Public Water Systems
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco reported 6 wells have been drilled, but information is difficult to obtain. He reported an October 20, 2008 date has been set to hear the Developer’s appeal of the Planning & Zoning denial.
He anticipates this development to be part of the agenda for the Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC) meeting scheduled for September 15, 2008.
Hampton Woods II
There has been no activity to report.
Sewer Development
Skyline Estates Phase 1B
Mr. Susco reported the Developer has been actively pursuing the items outlined in the Authority’s July 15, 2008 letter and he anticipates full compliance shortly.
Belltown Place
Mr. Susco had nothing further to add on this agenda item.
East High Street\Marlborough Wastewater Sewer System
Mr. Susco reported the contractor continues to install sewer pipe along Route 66 and North Main Street in Marlborough.
Mr. Susco reported negotiations with the Mallard Cove Homeowner’s Association for the standby generator easement have moved forward. The association has agreed upon a fixed sum and an attorney has been appointed. Mr. Susco has provided the appropriate documentation for their review and anticipates a signed document shortly.
Mr. Susco reported negotiations with Mr. Jackowitz, American Distilling Co., for an easement to have electrical conduit cross the parking lot seems to be at an impasse. The Authority discussed alternative solutions and instructed Mr. Susco to continue to pursue the best alternative.
Royal Oaks Sewer Easement
Mr. Susco reported that the curtain drain solution, “a pop up emitter”, has been installed by the property owner and distributed several pictures of the installation. Mr. Susco requested the Developer to prepare a release for review by all parties as a predecessor to the actual repairs.
Mr. Susco reported the Developer’s bonding company has also been made aware of the issue.
Hampton Woods II
Mr. Susco explained the Town is still waiting for the developer to submit an application under section 8-24 of the Town’s Planning and Zoning Regulations.
Old Business
There was no old business discussed.
New Business
Mr. Susco reported the contractor constructing the Main Street Bridge struck the sewer pipe. Although there was no damage Mr. Susco explained this should have never happened. He explained the Authority’s information regarding the locations details of the pipeline was incorrectly utilized by the engineer.
Mr. Susco reported the passing of past board member Dennis Griswold. The Authority authorized management to express condolences to the family and authorized $100.00 donation to the “Friends of the Lake” as preferred by the family.
Adjournment
Mr. Kelsey motioned, seconded by Mr. Abraham to adjourn the meeting. All voting in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela McCann
Recording Secretary
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