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BOARD OF SELECTMEN 2-21-06
Town of Willington
BOARD OF SELECTMEN • 40 OLD FARMS ROAD • WILLINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06279 • (860) 487-3100 • FAX (860) 487-3103



BOARD OF SELECTMEN



REGULAR MEETING                                                                                                           FEB. 21, 2006
OLD SENIOR CENTER                                                                                                         6:30 P. M.

First Selectman Eldredge called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance:  Selectmen Patton & Lewis, L. Nicholls, C. Walden, J. Keefe, J. Wilcox and residents.  First Selectman Eldredge led the Pledge of Allegiance.

DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC WATER
Jack Keefe, Birmingham Utilities and Cam Walden, State Dept. of Health, Water Division gave an overview of bringing public water to Hall School from Tolland.  Jack Keefe commented that Birmingham Utilities owns the water system at Rivers Edge on Depot Rd.  There have been problems and they were looking for a permanent solution.  They executed an agreement with the Town of Tolland to bring a minimum of 7,000 gallons a day to a maximum of 45,000 gallons a day.  If they go over 50,000 gallons a day for one year they would have to apply to DEP for a diversion permit.  First Selectman Eldredge approached BU regarding extending the water to Hall School.  It might be the most economic and the best way to fix the problem.  Hall School is regulated by the Health Dept.  Cam Walden commented that the DPH looked at lots of schools in CT for violations and deficiencies.  Hall School has only one well and that does not have enough separation from the fuel tank, you must have two wells.  They lack sufficient storage, they need controls on the existing well, there is an iron problem and the water quality does not meet State standards.  It is an operational headache for the school.  Mr. Walden commented that it is certainly worth looking at Birmingham Utilities solution.  The Town of Tolland has sufficient supply and good quality.  Selectman Patton asked what is required for the design.  Mr. Walden replied an 8” main and additional requirement of depth.  Selectman Patton asked would you have to put in fire hydrants?  Mr. Walden commented that you would want them for fire protection and to blow off the main.  Hydrants would be every 500’ and at intersecting streets.  Selectman Patton asked how does this affect the rest of the area development, existing businesses and homes?  Mr. Walden commented that new construction within 200’ would be required to tie in, new construction only; if an existing well goes dry it is not required to tie in.  Mr. Keefe commented that BU would put service from the main to the curb in front of each property, no property owner is required to tie in but if they do then from the curb to the house is the homeowner’s cost.  The cost would be different for each property owner.  When asked if they would go further than Route 32 Mr. Keefe commented if the need arises.  Further discussion followed on businesses wanting to tie in; non-profits are charged the same as any business.  Rates are determined by calculating the cost and the service to provide it.  The rates do not change very often and they must be go before the DPUC to request a rate increase.  In most cases there is one meter for the property and the owner is billed. There is no charge for the water to respond to fires but the Town is assessed on the number of fire hydrants by inch water rate.  BU hopes to have the water system to Rivers Edge by the end of May.  They estimate that Hall School would use between 1,500 and 2,000 gallons a day.  The owner pays for backflow testing and repairs.  First Selectman Eldredge asked what size main would you use?  Mr. Keefe said 12”.  Mr. Poole asked what are we looking at for running of 5 year cost of
REGULAR MEETING                                           -2-                                                                FEB. 21, 2006

ownership?  This is not known.  Selectman Patton asked what are your plans for growth?  Mr. Keefe commented the needs of the area and if the potential is there to expend, it depends on the Town.  When this started, we did not anticipate businesses wanting to tie in but many do. Susan Yorgensen asked how many gallons is Tolland allowed to pump.  Mr. Keefe commented ¼ million gallons a day; their average is 75,000 a day.  Susan asked could they get permission from the State to get more?  Mr. Walden commented that they have exhausted their area; they would have to come to us with a new area.  Tolland is the only town BU has a contract with.  When asked what are the bad things about hooking up Mr. Keefe commented that he does not see a down side to it.  We get fire protection, homeowners along the route could get a reduction on their insurance; water quality will meet all State requirements.  If the power goes out you still have water. The only negative is how much you pay to run it.  The average home uses between 4,000 and 6,000 gallons a quarter.  Selectman Patton asked is there a way to keep the water system just in the village area?  There is a fear that if you bring utilities in there is no need to keep to 2 acre zoning; there could be 2 times as many houses as normal.  Mr. Keefe commented that the Town regulates that and can keep it the way it is.  Susan commented that once you get the ability to have public utilities you will get changes.  The question was asked if we know what it would cost for Hall School?  First Selectman Eldredge responded no.  First Selectman Eldredge commented that to upgrade Hall School would cost $200,000 plus the cost of maintenance and testing.  We have an estimate of $300,000 to bring water from Tolland to Hall School.  Selectman Lewis commented that we need a break down of the cost to the Town to hook up and a 5 year break down of what it would cost the Town.  The school would need one line for service and one line for fire protection.  First Selectman Eldredge commented if you do any renovations in the school you are required to put in a sprinkler system.  If this goes through it could be operational by Sept. 06. Selectman Patton asked if there is a way to contain this?  Mr. Keefe commented our limitations would be to our available supply of 45,000 gallons per day limited by the agreement.  Discussion on expanding for the South Willington Water System followed.  An estimate for Hall School was discussed, there is none available right now but BU will try to get one as soon as possible.  Selectman Patton commented that you would bring the main up to the school and then there would be additional expenses to bring 2 lines into the school.  Mr. Keefe commented we would bring it to the center of the school and then the lines would be brought into the basement.  When asked about using existing fire lines for fire protection Mr. Keefe commented he did not know if they would be allowed, it is not an option they were considering.  The Board of Education will be asked what it cost now to run the water system at Hall School and BU will get an estimate for their system.  Selectman Lewis commented that if it can be done for $300,000 it could cost the school less in the long run.  First Selectman Eldredge commented the whole reason for the grant was to bring the main to Hall School.  If we do not get the grant we would have to go for legislative money to get funding to do it.  Mr. Walden commented there is a consent order with the school and we are willing to wait to find out about the grant.  This is the best solution for the Town and would be cheaper than drilling a new well.  Selectman Lewis asked as far as developing, is it definitely 200’?  Mr. Walden commented that if a resident has an existing well that fails you can put in another well.  Commercial would have to apply to the State for a well permit exception and show hardship.  New development within the 200’ would be required to connect.  The $300,000 would cover digging the road and putting in the pipe on Depot Road and Route 32.  Selectman Patton asked what if the property was 201’ away from the pipe?  Mr. Walden commented 25 people a day and you must be within 1 liner mile.  We need to stop proliferation of small public water supply.  Mr. Keefe commented that they would contact homeowners along the route as soon as they know the school project is approved.  Discussion on how the trenching would be done followed.  Selectman Lewis asked if a geological survey was done.  Mr. Keefe commented not yet, we have preliminary plans but will do more tests once we know the project is ago.  Selectman Lewis asked is there enough contingency in the $300,000?  Mr. Keefe replied yes.  Selectman Lewis asked you will not know the exact price until we give you the go ahead?  Mr. Keefe commented we don’t know about ledge.  Selectman Patton asked do you have an estimate?  Mr. Keefe commented the number is conservative.  Selectman Patton commented that I thought I read in the letter that it would be $300,000 no mater
REGULAR MEETING                                           -3-                                                                FEB. 21, 2006

what.  We need all the cost associated with this project.  Further discussion on the cost followed.  First Selectman Eldredge commented we asked BU for the construction cost, the engineering cost and contingency to come up with the $300,000.  Selectman Lewis commented we need to know up front what it will cost.  This could be the best thing for the Town but we need to know.  Selectman Patton commented we should have had this conversation about a year ago.  Mr. Keefe commented they will try for the best estimate.  They are spending quite a bit of money on the system.  The question was asked if it runs over the $300,000 grant do we have the money to do it?  Selectman Lewis commented this is why we need figures to see where the money will come from.  We have to find money before we can say yes.  First Selectman Eldredge commented the first thing would have to be engineering and it will give us some cost.  Selectman Patton commented he would like to have better planning on our part, on what the cost may be, where we are getting money from, contingencies, etc. we are a year late, I like to figure out how we pay for things first.             

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/6/06 SPECIAL MEETING.  
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS)    0  NO

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/6/06 REGULAR MEETING.  
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS)    0  NO

SELECTMAN LEWIS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF 2/8/06 SPECIAL MEETING.  
First Selectman Eldredge seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON& LEWIS)    0  NO

PRESENT TO SPEAK
Christine Psathas commented that the flag at the Town Green.  Lynn Nicholls replaced the flags around the green and is getting the large flag to put up.

CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.

PUBLIC WORKS
Lynn Nicholls commented they are brush cutting.  The test holes for Senior Housing were dug; they finished up after another storm.  Thursday Lynn and Karl Acimovic will meet with a gentleman from FEMA on Tinkerville Road to check on the work needed there.  They will present their plan to him and see shat he approves.  Lynn got the plans for the Hall School sidewalk from Karl and will hand them over to the State.

APPOINTMENTS
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO APPOINT WALTER PARSELL AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TO FILL A VACANCY, TERM IMMEDIATE TO JANUARY 1, 2010.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO



REGULAR MEETING                                           -4-                                                                FEB. 21, 2006

FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO RE-APPOINT MARY BETH CARON AS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION, TERM IMMEDIATE TO JANUARY 1, 2011.
Selectman Patton seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

AWARD GRANT ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT
FIRST SELECTMAN ELDREDGE MOVED TO AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR GRANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE SENIOR HOUSING WATER SYSTEM TO L. WAGNER & ASSOCIATE AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $20,000.00.
SELECTMAN PATTON SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

GOOD & WELFARE  
Selectman Lewis commented that the new flags that Lynn put up around the Town Green look good.

SELECTMAN PATTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:43 P.M.
Selectman Lewis seconded the motion.
VOTE:  3 YES (ELDREDGE, PATTON & LEWIS)    0  NO

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Bowen
Mary Bowen
Secretary


Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100

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