TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

WPCA MINUTES

7/1/03; 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the meeting to order at 7:36.  Members present were:  Jim Botellio; George VanTasel; Jim Faust; Elinor Labutis; Charles Colby and Dan Fraro.

Also present was Steve Jacobs, Sanitarian.

 

II.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            6/3/03

 

            George VanTasel made a motion to accept the 6/3/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

III.            SEWER/WATER BILLING:

            a.            Collections:

                        Connie McKenna, Billing System Operator, presented her May report to the Authority for their review.  Highlights are as follows:

 

Eleven liens were applied to unpaid water assessments.

 

An error in billing was discovered by an auditor.  During the changeover in billing systems, one account was never entered into the new system.  A bill was created in the new system which was mailed to the account with a letter of explanation.  Payment was received prior to the 30-day grace period.

 

Connie has been meeting on a regular basis with Karen LaPlante to resolve some of the billing issues in the new system.  Several reports required by the Treasurer are still not able to be generated with the new system.

 

Connie will continue to work with Karen and Blair Lawson of CMS until all of these problems are resolved.

 

            b.            Delinquent Accounts:

                        No word has been received from Carl Landolina, Town Attorney, as to the status of these delinquent accounts and foreclosure proceedings.  Jim Botellio will attempt to contact Carl about these accounts to find out the current status.

 

            c.            Software:

                        Steve Jacobs reported that the bugs are currently being worked out of the new system with the cooperation of Blair Lawson, Karen LaPlante and Connie McKenna.

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

7/1/03

Page 2

 

 

IV.            SOMERSVILLE WATER SYSTEM:

                        Scitico Pump Station - Maintenance

 

                        Steve Jacobs reported he still has not received a response from Hazardville Water Company to set up a meeting so that the maintenance responsibility problems can be resolved.  However, another bill was received from HWC for maintenance charges.  It was the consensus of the Authority that no payment will be made until a meeting is held and the problems resolved.  Jim Botellio will attempt to set up such a meeting in the near future.

 

V.            SOMERS WPCF:

            a.            Mill:

 

                        Payment has not been received for the repairs to the sewer system that were made - of necessity - by the Town.  These bills have been sent to Attorney Carl Landolina who will forward them to the lawyers that represent the Mill owners.

 

            b.            Collection System Maintenance:

 

                        This program should be started next year.  Quotes will be sent out to contractors for cleaning the sewer system on Main Street.  It is intended to clean the entire system - one section at a time.

 

VI.       212 FOUR BRIDGES ROAD:

                        On-Site Maintenance Agreement

 

                        The owners of this property requested release from their maintenance agreement.  They will do their own maintenance.  Attorney Landolina will write up a release agreement.  Charles Colby made a motion to approve the release of the on-site maintenance agreement at 212 Four Bridges Road upon receipt of the release agreement that will be supplied by Attorney Landolina.  George VanTasel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

            Steve Jacobs received a letter from Dick Jackson which stated that the legal opinion received is in agreement with the Sewer Superintendent salary to be included with the Sanitarian salary and will be counted in Steve Jacobs pension.

 

The Sewer Plant will be purchasing a Snapper tiller for the sand beds from Lloyds.

 

Wood Construction was requested to quote the water hook-up and well abandonment for 48 Rye Hill Circle.  The State will reimburse the Town for charges incurred.

 

Roger Steding of 153 Hampden Road sent Steve Jacobs a complaint that Grower Direct was contaminating the air quality near his home.  Steve replied in a letter that Grower Direct is in compliance with EPA regulations.

 

WPCA Minutes

7/1/03

Page 3

 

 

 

The bids for cleaning up the Maple Ridge sewer system  came to $5,532 from Avery Septic and $3,992.50 from Skip's Septic for emergency service.  Charles Colby made a motion to accept  the quote from Skip's; George VanTasel seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

The Authority approved an account transfer from Food Inspector to Equipment in order to cover GIS software needed by Steve Jacobs.

 

Received a prisoner FOI request about the DOC.  We don't have the authority to send out this information - request forwarded to the DOC.

 

George VanTasel made a motion to authorize a pay increase for Charlie Robinson, Food Inspector, to $35 - $45 per inspection.  This motion was seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

DOC Expansion - water and sewage flow monitoring study.  There will be a public meeting on August 7, 2003.  Steve Jacobs will send a letter to the DOC regarding the WPCA concerns about sewage spillage with copies to the Department of Health, Dick Jackson, Enfield Health District; Enfield Town Manager and our State Senator and State Representative.

 

VIII.            BILLS:

 

            Lloyd Power Equipment                              $27.04

            Quill Office Supply (grant)                         $14.96

            Environmental Lab                                        $782.00

            Computer Unlimited                                      $349.00

            Ben Meadows                                                        $33.50

            Wood Construction                                       $1,275.00

            Avery Construction                                       $65.00

            ESRI Software (grant)                                     $1,222.37

 

            Motion made by Jim Faust to pay the bills; seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

7/1/03

Page 4

 

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Jim Faust; seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Dan Fraro, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.