A. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Aries, Donald Antaya, Ed Havens, Jr., and William Vees
Members Absent: Robert Dickinson, Carol Fletterick, Vicki Paliulis
Alternates Absent: Richard Siedman
Staff Present: C. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Ether A. Diaz, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Councilor Stephen Wagner (Liaison to WPCA)
Chairman Richard Aries called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The following actions were taken during the July 8, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).
B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1. June 10, 2014 – Public Hearing
Chairman Richard Aries made a grammatical correction to the minutes.
Motion was made to accept the minutes of the June 10, 2014 WPCA Public Hearing as amended.
Motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Donald Antaya
The motion carried unanimously
2. June 10, 2014 – Special Meeting
Motion was made to accept the minutes of the June 10, 2014 WPCA Regular Meeting as presented.
Motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Donald Antaya
The motion carried unanimously
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. 1876 Main Street, Major Home Occupation (Approval)
Mr. Bert Roy, Applicant and property owner of 1876 Main Street, South Windsor, CT was in attendance this evening. Mr. Fred Shaw explained that this application received approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission for a major home occupation. The applicant proposed to put in a beauty salon in an area to occupy about 300 square feet. The chemicals to be used are the color developer bleach and perm solutions. There will be a minimum charge for the major home occupation; Mr. Shaw explained that this is going to be a small operation which may not require the applicant to install a private meter for purposes of measuring water that comes from the business; however, it is the decision of the Authority to require the Applicant to install a private meter if flows are significant (greater than 84,000
gallons/year). Mr. Shaw will review and determine what the increase in flow is; if exceeds the minimum flow, the applicant have to come back to the WPCA.
Motion was made to approve the application for a Major Home Occupation to operate a beauty salon on property located at 1876 Main Street, South Windsor, CT. This approval is subject to the following condition: (1) the applicant is required to come back before the Authority if there is any change in the usage of chemicals and if the flow exceeds the minimum flow.
The motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. William Vees
The motion carried unanimously
2. WPCA Ordinance (Discussion)
A copy of a draft ordinance provided by the Town Council was distributed for discussion (see Exhibit A). Chairman Richard Aries explained with regards to the proposed sewer charge abatement program that the Water Pollution Control Authority does not have the authority to provide any discounts or waiver of a fee; they can only provide a deferment. He explained the principle is to allow any property owner who qualifies to pay only a certain amount of the sewer user charge and defer the remainder which will accrue
year after year; the Authority may be able to defer the annual interest charge on any deferred or outstanding balance of principal of said assessment, however, that such deferred payment shall become due upon any transfer of title to the property or upon death of such property owner. Mr. Fred Shaw explained that the statute allows the Town to be able to defer payments or to have a repayment schedule which could be deferred until the property is sold. Also, those who qualify for this program will pay their share but not the full amount of the user fees, but the rest of it would have to be made up by the Town. Mr. William Vees asked that if the Town Council agrees to pay a portion of it; could the Authority repay the Town Council. Chairman Richard Aries responded that this will be a question for the Town Attorney to respond. He also explained that this ordinance kind of completely takes away the guiding principle which was that the Authority set
the sewer fee structure.
Chairman Richard Aries explained that currently, members of the Water Pollution Control Authority are appointed by the Town Council for a term of six years. Under the proposed ordinance (see Exhibit C), the Town Council is proposing to reduce the membership term from six years to either a two or a four years term. Also, the proposed ordinance, Sections 98-36-“Duty to Report and Account (b) Annual Audit”, reference that the WPCA shall be subject to an annual fiscal audit by an independent public accountant
approved by the Town Council. Chairman Aries explained that this has always been done but at the Town’s expense, now the annual audit is proposed to be at the expense of the Water Pollution Control Authority. Councilor Wagner expressed that although he was unaware of the proposed change on the annual audit, he explained that because the Authority have the ability to set the sewer fees and their own budget, it seems appropriate that they also pay for their annual audit. Mr. William Vees asked who’s driving the proposed ordinances. Councilor Wagner responded that it’s probably driven from the democratic side of the Town Council. Councilor Wagner was also asked if he support the proposed ordinances. He responded that he supports the direction that they are going; he doesn’t support the way some of them are written. He supports reducing the membership term and having a discount program. There were no further questions or comments.
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
1. Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study Phase II– CCTV and Manhole Inspections
Mr. Fred Shaw reported that this is actually the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study Phase II; the work involves smoke test inspections in certain areas of the Town the weeks of August 4th and August 11th. Included with the Agenda was a copy of a Public Notice (See Exhibit D) which will be sent out to every resident/business in the area that this is going to occur. Also, more detailed information on what the smoke test involves will be published on the Town’s media accounts so that people will understand the
purpose of it (see Exhibit E); up-to-date information on the project will be posted on dashboard; notifying people from day to day as to the location of the testing. The Authority recommended making reference in the public notice to please call the Police Department if there is an emergency during the smoke testing.
E. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Items not on the agenda) - None
F. BILLS, CHANGE ORDERS, DISBURSEMENTS - None
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Proposed Sewer User Charge Abatement Program (Discussion)
This Agenda item was discussed this evening, under Item C2. There was no further discussion on this matter.
Councilor Stephen Wagner asked when the Authority would have the Enterprise Fund Balance budget available. Mr. Shaw responded that the request has been made to the Town Manager. He has not heard back from the Town Manager; however, the information will be provided by the Finance Department.
H. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING CLAIMS - None
I. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
The motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. William Vees
The motion carried unanimously
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________
Ether A. Diaz
Recording Secretary
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