A. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Joseph Carino, Robert Dickinson, Frank Ferrero, Ed Havens, Jr., Carol Fletterick and Michael Patitucci
Members Absent: Richard Aries, Michael Patitucci
Alternates Present: Thomas Deming sitting in for Richard Aries
Richard Siedman sitting in for Michael Patitucci
Alternates Absent:
Staff Present: C. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
Chairman Carino called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m. The following actions were taken during the June 2, 2009 Regular Meeting of the W.P.C.A.
Chairman Carino appointed Mr. Thomas Deming to sit in for Mr. Richard Aries. Also, Chairman Carino appointed Mr. Richard Siedman to sit in for Mr. Michael Patitucci.
Due to time constraints, Mr. Carino requested a motion to move to Item C.1.on the Agenda.
Motion to go to Item C.1. on the Agenda.
Motion was made by Mr. Havens
Seconded by Mr. Siedman
The motion carried unanimously.
B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
May 5, 2009 – Regular Meeting
Motion to accept the May 5, 2009 minutes as stated.
Motion was made by Mr. Ferrero
Seconded by Mr. Havens
The motion carried unanimously.
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. New South Windsor Fire and Ambulance Facility, 765 Sullivan Avenue (approval to connect)
Ryan Scatoro, Civil Engineer with TO Design made the presentation. Commissioners had questions and comments. There will be three (3) sanitary lines from the building. Two (2) will be trench drains from the ambulance and fire truck bays. The third sanitary line will be from the locker rooms and kitchen area. These three (3) lines will be connected to a new 8” sanitary main that will be installed on West Road. There will be laterals per the town engineer’s recommendation. Not likely that the sewer lines on either end of West Road will connect to each other in the future due to elevation differences. This project will not be a financial expense to the WPCA. This being a town installed sewer line, each property owner will be assessed upon
completion of the line.
A motion to approve sewer connection for new South Windsor Fire and Ambulance Facility, 765 Sullivan Avenue.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson.
Seconded by Mr. Siedman
The motion carried unanimously.
2. 1105 Main Street (approval to connect)
Karen Isherwood, Design Professionals Inc. made the presentation (Exhibit A). Two houses currently on property: a 2 family duplex and a single family house. The proposal is to raze the single family and build a new house on an interior lot with an easement over the existing shared driveway for water and utilities. The duplex is already connected to the sewer. The owner needs WCPA approval before the State of CT will consider allowing the sewer line to be extended 200 ft beyond the sewer service area to connect the single family separately. No pumps will be needed - it is completely gravity flow (2%). Mr. Shaw stated that Bill Hogan from the State of CT said that he will go along with whatever the town decision is regarding approval. Mr. Shaw said there will
be a meeting with the DEP regarding the State’s delineation of “sewer service area”, which will be applicable to more than just this property.
A motion to approve with the condition that the Town Attorney review & approve the easement prior to construction.
Motion was made by Mr. Havens
Seconded by Mr. Ferrero
The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Carino requested a motion to return to Item B. on the Agenda.
A motion to return to Item B. on the Agenda.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Havens
The motion carried unanimously
3. Commercial User Fee Adjustments
Mr. Shaw recommended Commercial User Fee Adjustments for 2 properties due to MDC reporting errors. (Exhibit B)
A motion to approve the Commercial User Fee Adjustments as recommended by Mr. Shaw.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Siedman
The motion carried unanimously.
4. Sewer User Rates FY 2009/2010 (set rates)
Mr. Shaw presented recommendations for Pro-rate adjustment for FY 2009/2010 and Sewer Assessment Schedule (Exhibit C).
Mr. Shaw presented a letter from the Town’s attorney, Halloran and Sage, stating their legal opinion regarding the establishment of sewer charges (Exhibit D). In part, the letter stated that the WPCA has sole authority under State Statute for setting fees, and must have a system in place for paying debt service. Town collects from the sewer users not every taxpayer. Council suggested eliminating $558,000 for the pump stations and having a referendum. WPCA has the authority to decide. What is to be done if the funds are taken away? Will still have to take into account need for contingencies. Sewer users – fees not deductible, if thru taxes – it could be deductible. There is much concern for the fixed income residents with any
increase. Mr. Carino feels further review is needed due to error on spreadsheet presented to the Town Council. Mr. Shaw thinks WPCA should meet with the Town Council and not set rate without further discussion with Council. User rates must be set by July 1. Mr. Shaw feels WPCA should meet with Council within week or two. Discussion with Council must be prior to 6/22/09. Special meeting is set for 5:30 pm on June 22, 2009 to set user fee.
A motion to table until June 22, 2009 Sewer User Fee Pro-rate Adjustment for FY 2009-2010 as recommended by Mr. Shaw.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Siedman
The motion carried unanimously
A motion to approve the Sewer Assessment Schedule as recommended by Mr. Shaw.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Havens
The motion carried unanimously.
5. Prorated User Charge Regulation Change (Section16, paragraph 16.5 B.)
Mr. Shaw presented a proposed Prorated User Charge Regulation Change to Section 16, paragraph 16.5 B (Exhibit E).
Mr. Carino feels residents should not have to pay upfront and wait until the end of the year to get a refund for a period of time when not connected to a potable water supply. Mr. Shaw says residents must pay at the time of billing and then prove by inspection from the town that they have not been connected to get a refund at year end.
A motion to approve Prorated User Charge Regulation Change to Section 16, paragraph 16.5 B as recommended by Mr. Shaw.
Motion was made by Mr. Dickinson
Seconded by Mr. Deming
The motion carried. Mr. Carino opposed.
6. Set Time and Date for July 2009 Meeting.
July 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
Mr. Shaw stated that the CH Nickerson contract for the Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrade has been finalized. The ground breaking ceremony will be held on June 23, 2009 at 5:30 pm.
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
F. BILLS, CHANGE ORDERS, DISBURSEMENTS
None
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Siedman feels that commercial users with wells should be metered. It would cost the user less to install a meter on the intake line than if WPCA required them install a meter on the outtake line.
Mr. Siedman also inquired about billing at different levels. Mr. Shaw said he is moving forward with obtaining information about this process, but that the inaccuracy of MDC reporting is a big problem.
H. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING CLAIMS
None
I. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Was made by Mr. Deming
Seconded by Mr. Havens
The motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Originally Posted: June 5, 2009
Date Approved: September 1, 2009
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