TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

WPCA MEETING MINUTES

5/6/03; 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  Members present were:  Jim Botellio; Elinor Labutis; Don Fraro; George VanTasel; Steve Getman; Charles Colby and Jim Faust.  All members of the Authority welcomed Jim Faust as a new member and stated they were looking forward to working with Jim on WPCA matters.

 

Also present was Steve Jacobs, Registered Sanitarian.

 

II.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            2/4/03; 3/18/03 and 4/9/03

 

            Charles Colby made a motion to approve the 2/4/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Steve Getman.  The vote was:  (6) in favor; (0) opposed; (1) abstention - Jim Faust.  The motion carried.

 

Charles Colby made a motion to approve the 3/18/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by George VanTasel.  The vote was:  (6) in favor; (0) opposed; (1) abstention - Jim Faust.  The motion carried.

 

Charles Colby made a motion to approve the 4/9/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by George VanTasel.  The vote was:  (6) in favor; (0) opposed; (1) abstention -Jim

Faust.  The motion carried.

 

III.            SEWER/WATER BILLING:

            a.            Collection Update

                        Connie McKenna presented her first report to the Authority as Billing System Operator.  There was very little activity during the month of April.  Karen LaPlante will continue to come in on a regular basis until Connie is comfortable with the new billing system.

            b.            Software Conversion:

                        Karen LaPlante and Blair Lawson are continuing to work on fine-tuning the new billing system.

            c.            Delinquent Accounts:

                        The Town Attorney is still working on foreclosure proceedings for (3) delinquent accounts.  The Miller house has been sold and the new owner is responsible for

paying the delinquent sewer assessment and user amounts at the closing of this property.

 

 

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

5/6/03

Page 2

 

 

IV.            WPCA/HEALTH FEE SCHEDULE:

 

            Steve Jacobs presented a list of WPCA/Health fees and proposed a 20% increase in most current fees.  The new fees are still less than those of the Health District.  Some new fees were added under Health Inspections to include Day Care Centers; Labor Camps and Group Homes.

 

Charles Colby made a motion to approve the revised WPCA/Health Fee Schedule, as presented.  These fees would become effective July 1, 2003.  Steve Getman seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

The revised fee schedule will be presented to the Board of Selectmen for their approval.

 

V.            CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS:

            a.            PCE Mitigation Update:

 

                        Steve Jacobs said the quarterly report from DOC has been received.  The PCE discharge from the deep bedrock wells and the overburden system are about the same.

 

The State has asked the DOC for further investigation of MTBE contamination in the area of the maintenance garage - which has MTBE as well as PCE contamination.  The MTBE contamination is from the gas spills at the garages in Town getting into the aquifers.

 

There was a brief report on the HRC mitigation outside the laundry area.  The HRC method has been effective and the levels have dropped.  Overall, the PCE levels are declining.

 

Total cost - just shy of six million dollars.

 

VI.            CORRESPONDENCE\AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

            Ken Prior, 364 Mountain Road spoke briefly about the future development of Worthington Pond by Dan Roulier and asked about the septic system.  Steve Jacobs verified that the proposed septic system is oversized and will need State Health Department review as well as Steve's review.   Mr. Prior asked about food service permits.  Steve Jacobs said a temporary food service permit is only good for (14) days.  Mr. Prior asked what permits would be required before the existing buildings can be occupied by people and was told that this would be under the purview of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector.

 

Notification from the Treasurer that the lagoon operation account is overdrawn by $227.68.

This amount can be transferred from the New Equipment account.  Steve Getman made a motion to transfer $227.68 from the New Equipment account into the lagoon operation account.  This motion was seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

 

WPCA Minutes

5/6/03

Page 3

 

 

There was a discussion concerning the $2,228.27 returned to the WPCA by the State.  It was suggested to use this money to pay for maintenance charges  at the Scitico Pump Station.

 

Steve Jacobs and Jim Botellio have been attempting to set up a meeting with Bob Flagg of Hazardville Water Company.  The Authority has agreed to pay the past hydrant maintenance bill as long as a maintenance agreement is created that states that the Town will pay for its own hydrant maintenance in the future.

 

An agreement has been signed for installation of water service at 11 Shaker Road.  There was EDB contamination in the well water so that State will reimburse the cost of the water

connection.

 

Steve checked on the cost of privatization of the Sewer Treatment Plant.  The cost would be at least $60.00 per hour for the Superintendent and $47.50 per hour for labor.  This is double what these positions are costing the Town now.

 

The Authority voted to invite Mr. & Mrs. Simon Lipton to a buffet supper before the next WPCA meeting on June 3, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. to thank Simon for his many years of loyal service to the WPCA. 

 

VII:            BILLS:

 

            Somers Ace Hardware                                            $58.35

            USA Blue Book (rebuilt Chlorine Pump)  $69.57

            Northern Safety Equipment                              $16.07

            Northern Safety Equipment                              $11.61

            McCalister Bicknell                                       $61.12

            McCalister Bicknell                                       $30.56

            McCalister Bicknell                                       $69.05

            Transfer to General Fund MR Sewer

            Debt Service                                                            $12,153.60

            Transfer to General Fund S/V Sewer

            Debt Service                                                            $2,795.00

            Transfer to General Fund - Water Fund

            Debt Service                                                            $100,719.00

 

            George VanTasel made a motion to approve payment of the bills and the transfers to the General Fund.  This motion was seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

5/6/03

Page 4

 

 

 

 

VIII.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Charles Colby; seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Dan Fraro, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.