WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M./SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 P.M.
MINUTES TOWN HALL PAGE 1
COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 20, 2002
Members present: Joseph Carino, Chairperson, Matthew Davis, Edward Havens, Jr., Timothy Moriarty (alternate), Carol Fletterick, Clifford Slicer,
Richard Aries
Members absent: Robert Dickinson
Staff present: C. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Carino called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
For the purposes of hearing the following:
Presentation and approval of the Town’s Facility Plan
The Legal Notice was read into the minutes by the WPCA Recording Secretary; the notice reads as follows:
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Pursuant to Chapter 103 Section 7-246b and 7-247a of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the South Windsor Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers in the Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut to describe proposed improvements to the Town’s Water Pollution Control Facility and the sanitary sewer collection system.
The proposed improvements are more fully described in a report – “Town of South Windsor, Connecticut Wastewater Facilities Plan September 2002”, a copy of which is available November 7, 2002 for review in the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall, 1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, Connecticut.
Joseph Carino, Chairman
Water Pollution Control Authority
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M./SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 P.M.
MINUTES TOWN HALL PAGE 2
COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 20, 2002
Chairman Carino briefly explained to the public the Facility Plan and need for upgrades to the treatment plant. Chairman Carino went on to explain the Facility Plan included the treatment plant on Viberts Road, 126 miles of sewer line and 11 pumping stations. This is a 20 year plan for wastewater collection, treatment and disposal in the Town. The purpose of the Facility Plan is two-fold: first to upgrade the facility, which is 30 years old and second the DEP Mandate for Nitrogen removal for all Towns who discharge into the Connecticut River. At this point the presentantion was turned over to Robert Weimar and Daniel Murphy of Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. for their presentation. The presentation included explanations of the necessary improvements to upgrade the treatment plant and install
the necessary equipment to conform with the State mandate for nitrogen removal.
Mr. Weimar went on to explain the need to take action at this time with regards to the nitrogen removal mandate and to look at the development that has occurred in the Town over the last 20 years and determine how that will affect the facility and future needs. The Facility Plan looked at the treatment plant and the collection system to assure adequate capacity in the future. The pumps stations were also reviewed and the need for upgrading was taken into consideration.
Nitrogen removal is the most prevalent issue, water quality in Long Island Sound is being adversely affected by nitrogen and as a result the oxygen levels are very low, this affects wildlife. The State and Federal Government have determined the amount of nitrogen to be discharged must be reduced. A reduction of 64% must be achieved over the next 12 years. In addition, the reason for acting at this time is the fact the State DEP has financial incentives for the removal of nitrogen. These incentives will not be available in another 5 years. The original design of the facility plan was to consider the overall development of the Town, the amount of wastewater, content in the wastewater, and the capacity of the system to assure it was adequate to meet future needs. And also the infiltration
and inflow in the sewer system, infiltration is the amount of water in the system from ground water, inflow is caused by rainfall events, on any given day flows could increase considerably in the event of a major storm event. The reserve capacity in its present state is adequate, it can take the additional commercial and residential development that is planned. The pumping stations and treatment plant were looked at. Corrective maintenance will be necessary to reduce power use and labor costs. Electrical codes need to be brought up to code also. The plant must be brought up to present standards. Moderate improvements to the plant will be made to get close to the State requirements for nitrogen removal. Mr. Weimar showed a graphic detailing the areas of the Treatment Plant in need of improvement, for example the gravity thickeners are reaching their capacity and these will need to be increased in size or we will need to modify the process of
sludge. The same is true for the belt filter press.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M./SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 P.M.
MINUTES TOWN HALL PAGE 3
COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 20, 2002
There are several units in the prime processing which need to be improved. Added to that the concept of removing nitrogen to meet the State goal.
Taken into consideration were the capital costs of making the improvements as well as operating costs and also an allowance for a fee payable to the State for nitrogen that is not removed from the system. The fees will increase, according to State projections, over the next 12 years and will become a significant component of the total cost. The plant must also be maintained without an increase in staff and be run reasonably. Funding for this project was also a consideration in the final analysis of the Facility Plan.
The final Facility Plan is to try to remove as much nitrogen as possible, to minimize the fees that would be paid to the State, expand the improvement of the nitrogen removal system, make the necessary improvements needed to the plant by 2006, in addition improvements to the pumping stations would be phased in. Several areas in Town are reaching capacity it was recommended these areas be monitored and inflow and/or infiltration be monitored to minimize any future costs.
The total grant available will be in the area of 25%. The nitrogen projects are receiving the highest priority, if nitrogen removal is included in the application we will more than likely receive grant funding.
At this point Chairman Carino asked if anyone from the public had any questions.
Mrs. DeFore of Smith Street asked what happens to the nitrogen once it is removed. Mr. Weimar responded the nitrogen is a component of the atmosphere. There is no other waste disposal needed.
There were no other questions from the public.
Chairman Carino declared the public hearing closed at 7:20.
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 P.M./SPECIAL MEETING 7:30 P.M.
MINUTES TOWN HALL PAGE 4
COUNCIL CHAMBERS NOVEMBER 20, 2002
Chairman Carino stated if there were no objections the Special Meeting would proceed at 7:25. The general consensus was to start the meeting.
There was a discussion regarding the cost of removal of all the nitrogen as opposed to a partial removal and purchasing nitrogen credits as needed. Mr. Weimar explained the cost of upgrading completely would be much higher than doing the partial upgrade and purchasing the credits. The cost of the recommended improvements is approximately $9.7 million, the additional improvements for complete nitrogen removal would add approximately $4.2 million to the plan.
At this point Chairman Carino appointed alternate Timothy Moriarty to vote in place of Robert Dickinson who was absent from the proceeding.
Motion to approve the Town of South Windsor Facility Plan dated September 2, 2002 and direct Town staff to submit this plan to the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for processing.
Motion was made by Mr. Davis
Seconded by Mr. Slicer
The motion carried unanimously
There was a general consensus to adjourn the meeting at 7:45.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Deborah Dumas
Recording Secretary
Date Approved:___________________________
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