Minutes of the WPCA meeting held in the meeting room of the Memorial Town Hall
December 11, 2018
In Attendance: Chairman Richard Prendergast, Doug Wilkinson, Joe Carpentino, Dimitri Tolchinski, Frank Chan, Steve Cinami, Rob McCarthy, Donna Bednar, Andrea Lombard (arrived at 7:48 p.m.)
Absent: Sal Cancelliere. Also in attendance: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, 1 townsperson.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Alternate Steve Cinami was appointed full voting member.
Approval of the October minutes:
Motion by D. Bednar to approve the October minutes. Second by F. Chan. Discussion: none. Motion carries with 2 abstaining.
Chairman’s Report:
Feedback on DEEP Record of Decision status and CT Water Upgrade. Reminder the EIE went out for public comment, then record of decision responds to comments/answers questions. Still in draft form, which was distributed via email. Originally stated $4.9 million to install all new water pipes. That is incorrect. Not all pipes need to be replaced, only older pipes. Had a meeting November 7 with CT Water. They had previously agreed to give materials but not labor. Reps from CT Water said they will fund upgrade of pipes using special funds. It will cover both materials and labor. Will share costs to open and close the roads. They sent a letter (which was distributed) confirming this agreement. D. Wilkinson asked if we need to be concerned since they are selling the company. Chairman Prendergast replied that it helps them by having these
agreements and should not be a problem for us. R. McCarthy mentioned that the map that is included with memo is not particularly clear. D. Tolchinski asked what about areas where there currently is no hookup to water. There are already pipes in Misc Area B. Some houses will be going from private wells to public water. Could we ask CT Water to provide water to every house that has a sewer hookup? Cannot force it. There are a few properties on Breen Ave where there are no pipes. Will police station be hooked up? Selectwoman Reemsnyder mentioned that the Town is in process now of hooking up police station to CT Water.
Budget Update and Expenses:
D. Wilkinson noted that we have spent $4,800 out of $84,000 budget. There are three carryover accounts from previous years. D. Wilkinson then passed out proposal for next year’s budget. (A. Lombard arrived at 7:48 p.m.) Asking for additional $9,000. Each line item and the proposed figures were reviewed. Total of $93,600, which is a 10% increase as we get closer to possible referendum. S. Cinami asked about cost of mailing this year, might need more. D. Wilkinson noted we could use postage, advertising, office supplies to cover mailings. D. Bednar noted mailing is not necessarily the best/only way to get information out. Chairman Prendergast said we will employ multiple methods of communication. J. Carpentino wondered if we have enough money for testing, and discussion followed. D. Wilkinson will submit proposed budget which will be
subject to review. Chairman Prendergast noted an approved invoice from Woodard and Curran for a report related to the Hawk’s Nest testing, which had been approved previously in the scope of work.
Correspondence:
Chairman Prendergast reviewed the correspondence from George James of the Conservation Commission, which was distributed in advance of the meeting. Some of the questions that were asked were beyond our scope. Chairman Prendergast replied to the Commission, and also pointed them to the EIE and DEEP for info about well water.
Frank Murano, owner of The Pavilion, sent a letter pointing out that some water consumption shouldn’t be used in EDU calculation.
Chairman Prendergast also sent via email prior to the meeting communication regarding the questions raised about Robert’s Rules of Orders at the October meeting.
Old Business:
Ground Water Study Hawk’s Nest Beach update: July and September testing have been completed. Samples were taken November 20, but we don’t have written report yet. Not planning December tests, but will do next testing mid-January. Taking 8 samples per year, 16 total over 2 years. S. Cinami thought we voted to sample every month. J. Carpentino doesn’t want this board accused of cherry-picking testing to come up with pre-conceived results. Chairman Prendergast noted that anyone can make a motion to have more testing. R. McCarthy would rather see data trend, then decide if we want to go monthly next year. Haven’t had consistent sampling yet. We voted to have testing to eliminate doubt. One way to do that is to be thorough and consistent. The State has approved our plan.
Depth to water scope review/groundwater level monitoring program: This is the request from DEEP that we measure water depth for 2 months at cost of approx. $4,000. Motion by D. Bednar that we go ahead with groundwater level monitoring program. Second by R. McCarthy. Discussion: Is this one data logger? Will be 2 data loggers on West End Drive for 2 months of testing. Is it continuous? Don’t know what sample rate will be. S. Cinami doesn’t understand why DEEP wants testing. Chairman Prendergast noted that we had this conversation already. D. Bednar said it is important to have details of how much sea water is coming in. Pre-approved by Carlos Esquerra of DEEP. Do we know which 2 months? Snow might cause trouble. Might be later next year. Make sure we get best timing. 60 days continuous. Will clarify time frame. Don’t
want to have to re-visit. Motion carries unanimously.
Carmody: WPCA Clerk updated members on current status of switch to Carmody. Clerk did research on what fields we are currently using on the paper form, the database we use now, and samples from other towns. Clerk is also in the process of researching how other towns inform residents that are out of compliance with the pumpout, and to possibly update our system and wording. Health district and assessor’s office have been consulted. Hope to be up and running soon.
New Business:
Chairman Prendergast reminded the board that at the January meeting officer elections for the upcoming year will be held.
D. Wilkinson: Back to budget as it relates to the testing schedule. Budget we are submitting now is for FY19-20, and is predicated on 8 tests a year. If we go to 12 a year, will need to increase testing budget.
Public Comment:
David Mitchell, 64 Columbus Ave. Cheered by memo with CT Water. Can we clarify in letter back that if Hawk’s Nest Beach is included in sewer plans eventually, that we have a similar agreement? He listened to comments re: not monitoring in December. Seasonally adjusted monitoring plans are common. There is an associated cost, and not a lot of activity. Average is important. Need to look at actual data. By focusing in summer, looking at greater human risk and exposure. Third, glad that we decided to accept groundwater level testing. By looking at West End Drive, we will get an idea of saline intrusion at septic system levels. Lastly, he applauds the WPCA for putting groundwater data results on the website. He notes the sample source is called Sewer Avoidance Monitoring. Perhaps change to Hawk’s Nest Beach Groundwater Monitoring
on lab slips. Thank you for service.
Chairman Prendergast responds: CT Water offer is specific to this project. Selectwoman Reemsnyder says there have been preliminary discussions regarding Hawk’s Nest Beach. If sewers will be there, CT Water wants to know. We keep in touch with them. Groundwater testing wording –will have changed. Also planning to work on town’s website to make it easier to find test results.
Adjournment:
Motion by D. Tolchinski to adjourn. Second by D. Wilkinson. No discussion. Motion carries unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Datum
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