WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES PAGE 1
SPECIAL MEETING MADDEN ROOM MAY 12, 2004
Members present: Joseph Carino, Robert Dickinson, Ed Havens, Jr.,
Carol Fletterick, Tim Moriarty, Richard Aries
Members absent: None
Staff present: Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Carino called the meeting to order at 7:00.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Sewer User Charges, Fees and Assessment Rate Schedule for FY 2004/2005
The purpose of this special meeting is to discuss and make a decision regarding the rates increases that have been proposed. It is necessary to have these issues approved for presentation at the Public Hearing in June. The proposed changes in Section 2 of the “Rules & Regulations” of the WPCA will also be presented at the Public Hearing.
Mr. Shaw distributed a list of the history of annual changes Exhibit A) to the residential sewer user rate for the last 13 years. One of the conditions of the grants received is that the Pollution Control Department be self-supporting. In the past there has been an enterprise fund and we have been working towards being totally independent of the general fund. It has only been in recent years that this has been accomplished.
The comparative statement of Estimated Revenue and Expenditure (Exhibit B) attempts to project and identify anticipated revenues and expenditures are going to be for the sewer special revenue fund. Reasonable assumptions have been made and been reviewed with other Town staff members and we feel this is our best guess of the future revenues and expenditures. Each year the projections will be reviewed and take into consideration the current history and try to make better judgments. The projections will be updated annually as an attempt to identify what the needs will be in the future and how the user fee needs to be adjusted to meet future needs.
Modifications will be made to the treatment system at the plant and at the pump stations. There are grants we plan to pursue as well as low-interest loans. Those items are reflected under the Capital Reserve section of the budget. Several different assumptions have been made regarding the user charge rate. This rate is currently at $210 for 93,000 gallons. In the spreadsheet identified under mill rate increase what would happen if in the next fiscal year (2004/2005) if there was not rate increase. The various assumptions cover the user charge increase at 2.5% for fiscal year 2004/2005 and the effect on the Capital Reserve Fund Balance over a period of 20 year if increases are made annually to keep up with the CPI-U. The Capital Reserve Fund balance shows if we can cover the
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
MINUTES PAGE 2
SPECIAL MEETING MADDEN ROOM MAY 12, 2004
operating expenditures and the need for capital funding and whether or not we are maintaining a balance or are losing ground. The WPCA has set a minimum requirement for the Operating Fund Balance $125,000.
Mr. Shaw went on to explain how an increase of 2.5% in the user charge fee will impact the Reserve Fund Balance in the future. On an annual basis a corrected projection will be presented and discussed with the authority. It would be appropriate to review the annual figures and changes recommended and make a determination regarding the user charge increase at the time all these factors are reviewed. A discussion followed regarding need for annual increases in the sewer user charge fee. It was agreed it would be advisable to have smaller increases in the user charge annually as opposed to one larger increase.
Mr. Shaw also recommended an increase in the sewer assessment schedule for both residential and commercial and the septic disposal fee as shown on Exhibit C.
Motion was made to approve the proposed FY 2004/2005 increase in the Residential Sewer User Charge Rate, Sewer Assessment Schedule and Septic Dumping fees, for presentation at the Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday June 1, 2004, at 7:00PM , with a regular meeting to follow at 7:30PM.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Aries
The motion carried unanimously
Motion was made to set the WPCA Public Hearing for Tuesday, June 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to present the proposed FY2004/2005 increases in the sewer user rate, sewer assessment and septic dumping fees. Regular meeting of the WPCA to follow at 7:30 p.m. in the Sprenkel Room.
Motion was made by Mr. Carino
Seconded by Ms. Fletterick
The motion carried unanimously
It was brought up the changes in the Bylaws of the WPCA are also to be presented at the Public Hearing at the same time as the fees.
Motion was made to include the changes to the Bylaws of the WPCA Rules and Regulations at the Public Hearing for Tuesday, June 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Ms. Fletterick
The motion carried unanimously
Motion to adjourn was made at 8:00 by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Havens
The motion carried unanimously
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Dumas, Recording Secretary
Date Approved:__________________________
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