TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
JOINT WORK SESSION WITH WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN COUNCIL MONDAY, March 24, 2010
MADDEN ROOM TIME: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Pelkey called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor John Pelkey
Deputy Mayor Edwards Havens
Councillor Gary Bazzano
Councillor Tom Delnicki
Councillor Janice Favreau (arrived at 7:44 p.m.)
Councillor Kathryn Hale
Councillor Kevin McCann
Members Absent: Councillor Cary Prague
Councillor Keith Yagaloff
Also Present: Matthew Galligan, Town Manager
Duncan Forsyth, Town Attorney
WPCA Members Present: Richard Aries, Alternate
Joseph Carino, Chairman
Thomas Deming
Robert Dickinson
Frank Ferrero
Edward Havens, Jr., Vice Chairman
Richard Siedman, Alternate
William Vees
Also Present: Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Michael Gantick, Director of Public Works
3. Public Participation
The following individuals came before the Town Council to speak in opposition to being taxed on the sewer user fees:
Mr. Sam Blaze, 541 Miller Road None
Ms. Jan Nichols, Nevers Road
Mr. Jonh Pinto, Griffin Road
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail stated that he had contacted the first Selectman of Fairfield because they had done the same project as South Windsor is presently doing. Fairfield paid $45 million dollars for the plant upgrade which was charged to all taxpayers, but capital expenditures were part of the sewer fees.
Joint Work Session – Town Council
March 24, 2010
Page 2
ITEM
4. Items for Discussion
A. Water Pollution Control Authority By-Laws and Procedures
B. Operating & Maintenance Budget
C. Capital Projects Budget
D. Sewer User Fees
Town Manager Matthew Galligan began discussions by stating that he has reviewed the ordinance that was established when Water Pollution Control Authority was also established. Mr. Galligan felt that a sub-committee should be created consisting of two Council Members, two WPCA members, the Town Attorney, the Town Manager, Bond Council, and staff. The sub-committee would draft a new ordinance which would also create a capital asset program defining what capital is considered. After the ordinance is established it can be brought back to the Town Council and Water Pollution Control Authority for review and comments.
Mr. Joseph Carino, Chair of the Water Pollution Control Authority stated that he had always been under the assumption that it was necessary to borrow money for capital items. There are discrepancies and lack of definitions in reading the Town Attorney’s three opinion letters and it is necessary for the WPCA to know what their responsibilities are.
Town Council members and WPCA members discussed in length concerns if something breaks prior to a policy/ordinance being established. Mr. Galligan explained that if something breaks, the WPCA will have the authority to fix it, but the re-writing of the ordinance will give guidance for any future issues.
Councillor Delnicki felt that the Town Council and WPCA members should review the entire ordinance and make changes if necessary. This should have all been done prior to the resolution being approved at the March 1, 2010 meeting regarding clarifying the sewer fee policy, the setting up of a formal capital improvement plan, a capital projects plan and corresponding financing for the Town of South Windsor Sewer Treatment Plant. Mr. McCann’s concern should also be addressed regarding the Buckland Hills Mall and how they are taxed for using the Town’s sewers. It should be discussed how South Windsor residents are going to be charged based on their property value and other Towns using the system are taxed based on actual flow. Mr. Galligan explained that there are agreements for other Town’s
that use the Town of South Windsor’s system. In those agreements it says that the Town can charge if capital improvements are done. The sub-committee will address the appropriate charge for users outside of South Windsor.
Mr. Frank Ferrero voiced his concerns regarding Capital Improvements stating that the WPCA is run like a utility, if something goes wrong it must be fixed. If Town staff recommends a pump station be replaced in two years and the Town Council chooses to put it off, there could be a larger problem due to that decision. If there is a schedule, the Town Council will have to replace whatever the item is and forget about politics. These are not items that can be put off.
Joint Work Session – Town Council
March 24, 2010
Page 3
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4. Items for Discussion (continued)
Town Attorney Duncan Forsyth stated that the sub-committee will address issues concerning how user fees are to be calculated and collected.
Mr. Deming stated that the public should be educated on pump stations and how they work with the total upgrade to the plant prior to a referendum.
Mayor Pelkey stated that a sub-committee will be formed and will review the ordinance. The ordinance will clarify all concerns and will be brought back before both bodies for review.
5. Executive Session
None
6. Adjournment
At 8:30 p.m. Mr. Demings made a motion to adjourn the Work Session. Councillor Hale seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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