Members Present: Joseph Carino, Richard Aries, Robert Dickinson, Frank Ferrero, and Carol Fletterick
Members Absent: Edward Havens, Jr.
Alternates Present: Susan Rose
Alternates Absent:
Staff Present: C. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Chairman Carino called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The January 10, 2006 minutes were amended as follows:
Mr. Dickinson was incorrectly placed under Alternates Absent on the Roll Call Session. Mr. Dickinson should be placed under Members Absent.
On page 1, Item B – Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meetings, 1st paragraph remove the words “Motion was rescinded”. The sentence should read as follows “Chairman Carino asked the Authority to discuss first, Item C-New Business, and then move…”
On page 2, 1st paragraph, line four, add the word “an”. The sentence should read as follows: “There is a sewer connection to an existing lateral and a garage floor drain that is connected to an oil/water separator.”
On page 3, under Item C-New Business, #3, the motion should read as follows: “Motion to approve 27 Amato Drive, units A, B, C, and D to be temporarily removed from the user billing list, with the understanding that the Town staff will be monitoring the condition of the progress. Once these units become re-inhabited, they will be added to the user billing list.”
On page 3, under Item C4, fourth line, replace the word “by” with “about”. The sentence should read as follows: “It was about 8 feet short.”
On page 4, 2nd paragraph, replace the word “in” with “during”. The sentence should read as follows: “Mr. Shaw reported that during the last WPCA, questions were raised as to ..”
On page 4, the 4th paragraph was revised. Therefore, it should read as follows: “Mr. Shaw showed concern about the level of State funding for capital projects, and a short discussion followed. The Town Manager and Town Council were made aware of this, and the staff is moving forward to be prepared for when the funding is available. Mr. Shaw stated that the design phase work for the Treatment Plant upgrade would be completed in June 2006.”
On page 4, Item G1, in the motion replace the word “is” with “are” and add the word “present”. The motion should read as follows: “Motion to postpone the Election of Officers at a later date until there are more members present.”
On page 5, Under Item G2, 1st sentence was revised and it should read as follows: “Mr. Shaw reported that last October he sent a letter to the President of the Avery Height Water Company regarding an assessment. He has not received a response as of this date.”
Motion was made to accept the January 10, 2006 minutes, as amended.
Was made by Ms. Fletterick
Seconded by Mr. Aries
The motion carried unanimously
The February 7, 2006 minutes were amended as follows:
On page #3, Under Item C-3, 2nd paragraph, line #6 the sentence reads as follows: “Mr. Aries questioned is there is …..” change the word “is” to “if”. The sentence should read as follows: “Mr. Aries questioned if there is anything that confirms the assumptions that are being made about 2% slopes and the location of the lateral.”
On page #4, Under Item C-4, 2nd paragraph, change “Ms. Shaw” to “Mr. Shaw”.
Motion was made to accept the February 7, 2006 minutes, as amended.
Was made by Mr. Aries
Seconded by Ms. Fletterick
The motion carried unanimously
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. Industrial Commercial Sewer User Charge Billing (Approval)
Mr. Shaw provided the Authority a copy of the FY 2005/2006 Sewer List for Industrial/Commercial Sewer User Charges. This list is based upon flows from the water consumption reports provided by various water companies. In comparing this list with last year’s list, there has been a 2.1% decrease in total flow, and a 0.5% increase in revenues. There were several locations where the water companies have reported a negative metered flow. The companies are asked to review the numbers to make certain there are no mistakes in the consumption figures. Mr. Shaw is looking for approval of the commercial/industrial billing list and approval to proceed with the billing (see Exhibit A).
Motion was made to approve the billing list for FY 2005/2006 for Industrial/Commercial Sewer User Charges (see Exhibit A.)
Was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Aries
The motion carried unanimously
2. 9 Arnold Way – Lateral Reimbursement (Authorization to expend $1,900 from account #44699300 – Reserve for Capital Projects)
This item was reviewed and discussed on the January 10, 2006 WPCA. The property owner of 9 Arnold Way was in the process of connecting to the sewer. In so doing, his contractor found that the lateral provided for this residential property did not extend all the way to the property line; it was about 8 feet short. Therefore, Mr. Shaw is requesting authorization to expend $1,900.00 from the Reserve for Capital Projects for lateral reimbursement purposes.
Motion to authorize the expenditure in the amount of $1,900.00 from account #44699300 – Reserve for Capital Projects.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Ms. Rose
The motion carried unanimously
3. 1235 Sullivan Avenue (Residential Sewer Billing)
Mr. Shaw reported that a residential bill was mailed last fall for property located at 1235 Sullivan Avenue. The owner claims that the house was demolished. This property was not removed from the user list because the contractor had not taken out the permit to disconnect the lateral. A permit was applied for after the bills were mailed, and the engineering inspection confirmed that the house was disconnected in January 2006. The property owner disagrees with the amount being billed; he claims that the house was demolished prior to the billing fiscal year. As of yet, there is no confirmation from the Building Department that a permit was issued prior to July 1st 2005. The only record available is a permit for disconnection provided by the Engineering
Department. Mr. Shaw recommends that if the Building Department presents evidence that the house was disconnected and demolished before July 1, 2005, the owner should not be charged. If indeed, the Building Department does not provide such information, the owner should be charged for the first six months in the amount of $111.00 in accordance with the Engineering Department permit date. Mr. Shaw also requested authorization to remove this address from the sewer billing list.
Motion to approve the adjustments of the User Charge to $0 balance for the sewer user bill for property located at 1235 Sullivan Avenue only if the Building Department provides reasonable information/statement that there is a building permit prior to July 1st, 2005 and demolition was within the first six months. If the Building Department does not provide such information, the property owner will be charged for half of the year in the amount of $111.00.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Aries
The motion carried unanimously
Motion to remove 1235 Sullivan Avenue from the sewer billing list.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Ms. Fletterick
The motion carried unanimously
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Mr. Shaw requested to add a new item into the Agenda for discussion.
Motion to add 1235 Sullivan Avenue, residential sewer billing to the Agenda under Item C-#3 for discussion.
Motion was made by Mr. Aries
Seconded by Mr. Dickinson
The motion carried unanimously
As discussed in the last WPCA meeting, a group of municipalities met with other agencies attempting to put the issue of insufficient State funding for Capital Projects before the public. As stated in previous meetings, the Capital Project budget has been reduced from $60 million to $20 million a year. It may further be reduced next year to $17.5 million. Mr. Shaw believes that it is important to bring the issue to the public’s attention; grants and loans are very important to the Town because they would reduce the cost to the Town. Mr. Shaw distributed to the Authority a copy of a preliminary draft concerning the Clean Water Investment Coalition for their review (see Exhibit B). This will be discussed at a press conference which will be held next Tuesday, March 14,
2006 at the State Capitol.
Motion allowing Mr. Shaw to endorse the Clean Water Investment Coalition document as described on Exhibit B on behalf of the Water Pollution Control Authority at the State Capitol Press Conference on Tuesday, March 14, 2006.
Was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Ms. Fletterick
The motion carried unanimously
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Items not on the agenda)
None
F. BILLS, CHANGE ORDERS, DISBURSEMENTS
None
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
This Item will be on the next WPCA agenda for discussion.
H. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING CLAIMS
None
I. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
Was made by Mr. Aries
Seconded by Ms. Rose
The motion carried unanimously
______________________________
Ether A. Diaz
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: July 18, 2006
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