A. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Richard Aries, Robert Dickinson, Ed Havens, Jr., and William Vees
Members Absent: Donald Antaya, Carol Fletterick, and Vicki Paliulis
Alternates Present: Richard Siedman
Staff Present: C. Fred Shaw, Superintendent of Pollution Control
Ether A. Diaz, Recording Secretary
Others Present: Lucinda and Douglas Minich, 1009 Misty Meadow Lane
Chairman Richard Aries called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following actions were taken during the September 2, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).
B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1. July 8, 2014 – Regular Meeting
Motion was made to accept the minutes of the July 8, 2014 regular meeting as presented.
The motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. William Vees
The motion carried unanimously
2. August 11, 2014 – Special Meeting
Motion was made to accept the minutes of the August 11, 2014 special meeting as presented.
Motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Mr. William Vees
The motion carried unanimously
C. NEW BUSINESS
1. Residential Sewer User Charge Billing FY2014/2015 - (Approval to bill)
In a Memorandum from Mr. Fred Shaw dated September 2, 2014 (see Exhibit A) he reported that there have been 38 new residential sewer connections and one residential disconnection during the past year. The proposed residential sewer billing list includes 8,159 accounts. He explained that this year the sewer user fees were reduced from $374 to $356 per residential unit; this reduction was based on the recommendations of the Town Council and the Task Force Committee. Mr. Shaw reported on another subject
related to this; he explained that on July 19, 2014 there was a fire at Burr Meadow Condominiums. As a result of the fire, eleven residential units were heavily damaged forcing the occupants to leave and seek other shelter (see Exhibit B.) The proposed residential billing list includes these eleven units; therefore, Mr. Shaw recommended that the sewer billing for these users be temporally suspended until such time as repairs ere completed and new certificates of occupancy were reissued.
Mr. Robert Dickinson asked if people move to Florida for 6 months and requests a temporary suspension of their sewer service, will it qualify. Chairman Aries responded that there is a difference in distinction between disaster situations versus someone voluntarily leaving the home for non disaster reasons; this situation does not have precedential value with regards to any resident requesting a temporary suspension of service just because they are moving out of their house; any requests have to be made to the Authority.
Motion was made to approve the proposed residential sewer user charge billing list for FY2014/2015 with the condition that eleven residential accounts will be temporally suspended as recommended in the Memorandum from Mr. Fred Shaw dated September 2, 2014 attached hereto as Exhibit B.
The motion was made by Mr. Robert Dickinson
Mr. William Vees asked if a temporary suspension of service may apply when is due to health issue. Chairman Aries responded that in the case of a health issue, the person would also need to submit the request and the Authority would discuss the situation to determine eligibility. Mr. Dickinson asked if anyone from Burr Meadow Condominiums has requested to suspend the service. Mr. Shaw responded that one request was received from Mr. Douglas Minich who was in attendance this evening. With no further comments or question, the motion was seconded by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr., and the motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Lucinda Minich of 1009 Misty Meadow Lane, South Windsor, who was also in attendance this evening, thanked the Authority for approving a temporary suspension of their sewer user charge bill.
2. Rehabilitation Requirements for Sewer Manhole at intersection of Wheeler Road and Pleasant Valley Road - (Discussion and Consensus)
Mr. Fred Shaw reported that there is a manhole at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Pleasant Valley Road that was previously identified as one that had to be rehabilitated. In the course of preparing the walls for relining, the contractor reported that the walls were in very bad condition; a lot of material was coming off when the walls were pressure washed. It appears that there is been a lot of corrosion. Mr. Shaw asked the consultant engineer (Wright-Pierce) to take a look at the condition of the manhole and make recommendations. They are actually recommending the replacement of the manhole. Mr. Shaw subsequently provided asbuilt drawings to the consultant engineer. Currently the consultant engineer is estimating about $30 - $35,000 for replacing of manhole; this manhole is 22 feet deep. This is another reason for having the reserves funds which will probably be the source of funding this work.
The manhole is about 23 years old; the wastewater comes from restaurants; however, there is turbulence in the manhole and the manhole was not vented which may have been the cause of the corrosion. Mr. William Vees asked if this manhole is at risk of collapsing; “it could happen”, responded Mr. Shaw.
Mr. Shaw explained that they are going to look at other cost effective ways to correct the problem, which may involve putting in another main-line. This manhole was put in by the Town of Manchester as part of the intertown sewer agreement with them.
There was a consensus to proceed with this project.
D. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
1. Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study Phase II – CCTV and Manhole Inspections
Mr. Fred Shaw reported that Wright-Pierce, the consultant engineer have completed their smoke testing; they have not come back with a report yet for the Authority to review. They gathered a lot of information and are in the process of organizing and understanding it so that they can report their findings and recommendations.
Mr. Shaw asked for another item to be added to the Agenda for discussion. Item D2 – NAGE Contract (Discussion) was added to the Agenda.
2. NAGE Contract (Discussion)
Mr. Fred Shaw reported that the union employees at the treatment plant belong to an organization called NAGE and their contract ended three years ago. They have gone through negotiations and unfortunately there was some difference of opinion. The union went through mediation and then on to arbitration. The Town and the Union got together and have come to an agreement which was equable for both parties. This item was on Monday, August 25th Town Council’s agenda for the Town Manager to present the contract; however, the Town Council ended the meeting shortly before discussing other items on the agenda. On Thursday, August 28th the item was on Town’s Council agenda again and they did not vote to accept the Town Manager’s recommendation to authorize him to sign the contract. Six members
of the nine Council members were present at the meeting; one member voted no, one member abstained, and the other four Councilors voted yes. However, five votes are necessary to pass any resolution. Mr. Shaw expressed that he is really disappointed with the decision and the Town Manager was also very disappointed. Mr. Shaw explained that there is a management agreement between the Town and the WPCA. He believes that the Town Manager probably should come to the WPCA to report his success in negotiating union contracts for Pollution Control employees.
Chairman Richard Aries explained that he was contacted by Mr. Shaw about this matter and reviewed all the background materials including the agreement with the Town which basically states that the Town Manager is authorized by the WPCA to negotiate the union contract. However, nothing in the agreement says that the WPCA have officially delegated authority to the Town Council to approve contracts of the treatment plant employees; yet apparently is been going on for some years that the Town Council have been approving all of the union agreements. Chairman Aries explained that a request for a legal opinion will be submitted with regards to this matter.
Mr. William Vees asked why one council member rejected the agreement. Mr. Shaw responded that he doesn’t know; however, this information can be obtained from the records of the meeting.
Mr. William Vees also asked if failure to resolve this mater may in any way jeopardize the ability to appropriately run the sewer system. Mr. Fred Shaw responded that he have very good people working at the Treatment Plant. It takes a long time to train them; he considers them important and they’ve been working without a contract for a few years in good faith. He fully supports the contract which will allow them to contribute more to the health savings account and they would get a 2.5 percent increase per year. He also explained that this is also in the best interest of the Town as well. There are two vacant Plant Operator II positions available which needs to be filled but it would be difficult to do with the current wage. This matter will be further discussed upon the submittal of the
legal opinion from the Town Bond Council.
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/Ordinance - (Discussion)
Chairman Richard Aries reported that he met with Town Attorney, Keith Yagaloff and Fred Shaw to discuss the proposed sewer user charge abatement program. He explained that information was previously provided supporting that the Authority cannot move forward with the program as envisioned. The Authority can only provide a deferment program not a discount program; however, the statute doesn’t in any way prevent the Authority from creating different tiers of fees. Chairman Aries reported that he explained to Attorney Yagaloff the proposed sewer user charge abatement program which was created with the idea of having different fees structures for different types of users of the sewer system; Attorney Yagaloff seems to agree with that view. Attorney Yagaloff is in the process of looking at the
legislative history of this and he will submit a written legal opinion. This matter will be further discussed.
H. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING CLAIMS
None
I. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
The motion was made by Mr. Ed Havens, Jr.
The motion was seconded by Richard Siedman
The motion carried unanimously
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________
Ether A. Diaz
Recording Secretary
| 