WPCA
Minutes July 9, 2013
Members Present:
Kurt Zemba, Richard Prendergast, Dimitri Tolchinski, Robert McCarthy, Frank Chan, Donna Bednar, Frank Lorda, Tom Risom, Doug Wilkinson; alternate Andrea Lombard
Members Absent: None
Also Present:
First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal,
Selectman Skip Sibley; Sanitarian Sonia Marino; Vin Spada & Bill Boornazi from Woodard & Curran
Resident Roger Breunig
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Call to Order
Chairman Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
Appointment of Alternates as required
Not required
Approval of the Minutes - June 11, 2013 and Task Force 6/11/2013
A correction to the June 11 Minutes was noted by the meeting clerk: Doug Wilkinson was excused/absent from the June 11 meeting.
A motion was made by Tom Risom, seconded by Ernest Lorda, to approve the Minutes of the June 11 WPCA meeting with that correction. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Ernest Lorda, to approve the Minutes of the June 11 Wastewater Management Task Force Meeting with that correction. Motion passed.
Correspondence
None
Wastewater Management Project
Update by Woodard & Curran on Scope, Timetable and Progress on Testing
David Prickett was unable to attend the meeting. Vin Spada & Bill Boornazi from Woodard & Curran attended in his absence. Vin provided a project update. Woodard & Curran is still monitoring test holes. Seasonal groundwater levels are high, improving the accuracy of the test results.
Woodard & Curran expects to have cost estimates in August which will include both capital and lifestyle costs for several possible alternative systems: Gravity, STEP/STAG, Low Pressure, as well as the regional wastewater treatment plant in New London. Woodard & Curran has determined that the Vacuum alternative system would not be well-suited to Old Lyme’s terrain.
Vin asked for some direction in gathering data about the New London facility from participating communities. Unknowns include current and future capacity issues and condition of equipment.
Following discussion by members, Kurt asked that Woodard & Curran discuss the current/existing situation only with other Towns involved with the New London site.
Information Session Schedule and Public Access Program
Members agreed to proceed with Information Sessions on 7/30 (to provide an overview of the project concept) and 8/27 (when cost estimates will be available).
Richard Prendergast said that one question he is asked by shoreline residents is “Can I get exempted?” He believes the 7/30 meeting should cover the process being followed by the Town and project basics, including an explanation of the possible alternatives.
The beach associations currently under DEEP consent order(s) have a 2016 deadline, so members concluded that the Town’s information will be available with sufficient time for association members to make informed decisions.
Kurt welcomed WPCA alternate Andrea Lombard to the meeting and members introduced themselves.
Andrea suggested that a presentation of side by side comparisons of the different options would be invaluable to shoreline residents trying to understand the wastewater management concept. She also suggested that WPCA members plan to gather at the Shoreline Community Center on Saturday, August 3 for a “Breakfast Meet & Greet” to present information and answer questions about the Town’s project.
Part 1 of a Public Access Program on the Town’s Wasterwater Management Project was taped at the Comcast Public Access studio earlier in the day. Chair Kurt Zemba and First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder discussed the Town’s project. Part 2 will be taped on 7/30 with David Prickett providing project details.
Sanitarian’s Report – Sonia Marino
Surface/Storm Water Issues
Sanitarian Sonia Marino distributed a report summarizing her first few months working for the Town. That Report is attached and is part of these minutes. Sonia asked for clarification of the pump out ordinance (is it 5 or 7 years?) and regulations pertaining to technical standards, particularly with regard to cesspools.
Tom Risom briefly summarized the background of the WPCA’s pumping requirement, which is 7 years, and Kurt asked Tom to meet with Sonia to update her with a more complete history.
Kurt will be working with Sonia to identify an attorney with appropriate experience to act as legal advisor for both the Health Department and the WPCA.
Recommendation to the BOS that they assume the review of appeals to orders issued or turn such appeals over to the WPCA versus back to her office as was done before
Kurt suggested and members agreed by consensus that appeals of storm water orders issued by the Sanitarian be referred to the WPCA, which would request a report from their consulting engineer and rule on the appeal based on that report. The next step for a dissatisfied appellant would be court.
Chairman’s Report
Kurt reviewed materials he had sent to members via email. WPCA Regulations and Bylaws outline several standing as well as non-standing committees. He asked members to let him know of their interest in serving on any of the committees named.
WPCA Standing Committees – Discussion
He appointed Tom Risom chair of the Monitoring Committee, and Donna Bednar chair of the Education Committee. Both are Standing Committees. He also asked Andrea Lombard to serve on the Education Committee.
WPCA Appointed Committees
He appointed Doug Wilkinson chair of the non-standing Budget Committee, and appointed Robert McCarthy to a non-standing Land Use Review Task Force. Kurt and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder will also be on the Land Use Task Force, which will handle negotiations related to property purchase, lease or easement related to the Wastewater Management project.
Revenue and Expenditure Policies Procedures
Kurt described the procedure he would like to follow for approval of WPCA invoices. He has asked the Sanitarian to establish a detailed reporting of revenues and expenditures for review by the WPCA. Selectman Skip Sibley asked that Kurt confirm that the new procedure does not conflict with the Town’s Accounting approval procedures.
By-Law Additions – Alignment with Town Policies and Laws
Kurt distributed Bylaw additions (attached) he recommended for approval by the WPCA. The additions cover the hiring and employment of permanent or temporary employee(s) and the authorization and signing of contracts and renewals. He said the purpose of the additions was to align the WPCA Bylaws with Town policies and procedures.
WPCA members and the Board of Selectmen agreed they needed time to review the proposals.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested they be reviewed by the attorney who will be contracted to advise the Health Dept & WPCA. The By-Law Additions were tabled to the 8/13 meeting.
Hearing Panel Recommendations
Not covered
First Selectwomen’s Address
None
Old Business
WPCA Clerk (Recording Officer) Next Fiscal Year – PT Assistant Clerk
A motion was made by Richard Prendergast, seconded by Doug Wilkinson to appoint Cathy Frank recording clerk for the WPCA through January 2014. Motion passed.
WPCA Attorney and Engineer
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Tom Risom, to retain Nathan L. Jacobsen & Associates as the WPCA engineering advisor through July 2014. Motion passed.
Discussion of the WPCA attorney took place under the Sanitarian’s Report.
Other Old Business
Dimitri Tolchinski provided a binder with information on Decentralized Wastewater Management Districts, which had been prepared by the former WPCA attorney Narcy Dubicki, to Kurt for copying & distribution to WPCA members.
It was noted that a scheduled August 13 Meeting had been omitted from the Schedule e-mailed to members. The summer meetings are scheduled for July 30 (Information Session), August 13 (Regular Meeting), and August 27 (Information Session).
New Business
Elections: Vice Chairman and Secretary of the WPCA
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Rob McCarthy, to elect Tom Risom Vice Chairman of the WPCA. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Kurt Zemba, seconded by Tom Risom, to elect Doug Wilkinson Secretary of the WPCA. Motion passed.
Other New Business
Kurt noted that, by necessity, this meeting had covered many administrative details. He thanked members for their participation.
He asked Donna Bednar and the Education Committee to develop a plan for the July 30 meeting, and suggested that WPCA members e-mail their availability for a special meeting to plan the Information Session.
Public Comment
None
Adjournment
A motion was made by Doug Wilkinson, seconded by Rich Prendergast, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10pm.
Catherine Frank
7/11/13
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