TOWN OF SOMERS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
AUTHORITY
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
8/05/2003; 7:30
p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Botellio at 7:30 p.m.
Members present were: Chairman Jim Botellio, and members George Van Tasel, Eleanor Labutis, Jim Faust, Steve Getman, Dan Fraro, and Charlie Colby
(7:55 p.m.). Steve Jacobs, Sanitarian, was also present.
II. MINUTES APPROVAL: 7/01/2003
A motion was made by George VanTasel and seconded by Steve Goodman to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 1, 2003 as presented. Vote was unanimously in favor.
A motion was made by George VanTasel to add an item to the agenda, to be numbered “II” and move all other agenda items down one number. Seconded by Dan Fraro. Vote was unanimously in favor.
III. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: SHAKER HILL AGE RESTRICTED HOUSING
Jeffrey Lipton spoke with the Authority members regarding a proposed development of 52 acres owned by him. The property is located behind Joanna’s Café and Banquet Facility on Main Street in Somersville.
The parcel includes approximately 8 acres of wetlands.
Mr. Lipton would like the ability to utilize the Somersville sewer system for up to 150 units. Each unit would be a one bedroom unit. The engineer’s calculations show a maximum flow of 22,000 to 23,000 gallons per day. This is calculated on 150 units with 2 persons per unit. Later discussion during the meeting brought out that this figure may actually be too high. Prior calculations made for mill development figured on 55 gallons per person per day which would bring the maximum flow down to 16,500 gallons.
Public water is available to the property.
The existing sewer line goes along Main Street and Mr. Lipton proposes connecting to the sewer line by way of an easement along the property line of Joanna’s Café & Banquet Facilities.
The requirement of 100’ road frontage for the development would be met on Shaker Road where the main access to the development would be. The Joanna’s property would also serve as emergency access to the site.
Mr. Lipton noted that the site is at an elevation higher than Route 190.
Authority members held discussion on Mr. Lipton’s proposal. It is likely that at least one bed, and possibly two, would have to be added to the existing sewage system in order to accommodate the growth. The cost would likely have to be covered by Mr. Lipton.
Steve Jacobs mentioned that such a development would require a modification of permit for discharge and noted that the Authority would also have to determine how the 50% increase in discharge would affect other users, if it would require a full time operator in the future, and if the current treatment plant could handle the increase.
He also asked if this development would open the way for other developers to utilize the system.
Steve Jacobs also reported that this parcel used to be known as 109 Main Street and was previously deferred for EDU’s. Since the original address was part of the original service area, this might be considered an expansion. He suggested that the Town’s attorney be consulted.
Steve Jacobs also brought up the fact that the Somersville Mill has an allotment of 5,000 gallons sewage per day. If Mr. Lipton’s project is approved, the sewer plant may not be able to handle his project and the mill at full capacity and a new type of system might be required.
In response to a question by Jim Botellio, Steve Jacobs stated that an on site “Maple Ridge” type system is a possibility if the space is available and soil conditions allow.
Steve Jacobs also noted that there is not much room for growth built into the existing system. When the Mill owners were discussing development options, they were required to escrow approximately $4,000 for the cost of an engineer to study the feasibility of upgrading the existing system. Mr. Lipton stated that he would be agreeable to this arrangement if necessary.
After further discussion, George VanTasel made a motion, seconded by Charlie Colby to contact the Town’s attorney regarding the legality of allowing Mr. Lipton’s development to take precedence over the Mill’s allotment for sewer use and for Steve Jacobs to research the technical aspects of adding a development to the system, as well as anticipated increase in operating costs. Vote was unanimously in favor.
IV. SEWER/WATER BILLING UPDATE
Steve Jacobs stated that Connie McKenna reported that collections are slow. She received $424.36 in sewer assessments and user charges and $294.57 was received for water assessments.
The Year End Report brought up a few questions. Blair Lawson will clarify these as well as work with Connie Carenzo & Connie McKenna to review several delinquent accounts and see how delinquent accounts were handled last year.
There are approximately 5 delinquent accounts with balances over $500. Mr. Landolina has not yet begun foreclosure proceedings. Steve Jacobs will ask him again to do so.
V.
DOC
a. PCE Mitigation Update
Steve Jacobs received a quote from Wood Construction of $3,950 to connect water services and abandon the well at 48 Rye Hill Circle. The Department of Correction has given a verbal approval of the quote. A motion was made by George VanTasel, seconded by Jim Faust, and unanimously voted to approve the quote of $3,950 by Wood Construction to abandon the well and connect public water service at 48 Rye Hill Circle.
Steve Jacobs presented the quarterly report from the Department of Corrections. He noted that deep well #8 hit 120 ppb in May, 2003. This is the lowest to date as it continues to drop. The DVD area is approximately the same, in the 600 – 900 range. There has been no change in the perimeter monitoring; the March and June quarters are approximately the same.
The owners of 62 Rye Hill Circle allowed testing in June, 2003 and levels of 290 ppb were found there.
Traces are still being found at Bittersweet Hill and the Polo View area continues to drop.
MW#50 in the area of SW1A started in July, 2001 at 1,800 ppb and is now down to 100 ppb.
Steve Jacobs, at Jim Botellio’s request, will ask the owner of 48 Rye Hill Circle if the town could take a water sample prior to the well being abandoned and hooking up to the public water source.
Steve Jacobs also reported MTBE’s were found near the garage. One of the monitoring wells reported 3,300 ppb and is likely from underground gasoline tanks, possibly from outside the property line. Fuss & O’Neil is recommending further investigation.
b. Prison Expansion
A letter was sent to Dave Batten at D.O.C. regarding the Authority’s concerns over the sewage loss from the Willard facility. Steve Jacobs received an immediate written response. The letter noted that the D.O.C. initiated re-metering of that portion of the system, as well as taking samples in Wood Stream and conducting video taping of the sewer line and found no sign of problems with the video taping.
Steve Jacobs received the re-metering reports today, August 5, which now show 20,000 gallons infiltration in the Willard line and 29,000 gallons infiltration in the Cybulski line.
George VanTasel noted that the last report showed 120,000 gallons water going in to the facility and 105,000 gallons sewage coming out. This report shows only 66,000 gallons of water going in and 113,000 gallons of sewage coming out. The sewage flow data was completed by Severn Trent but it is unclear as to who completed the water flow portion of the new report.
He also noted that the old report recommends new water meters be installed. He would like to have the public hearing scheduled for August 7, 2003 postponed until the new meters have been installed and an explanation given for vast differences between the first report and the second report.
After further discussion, Steve Jacobs was directed to fax a letter to the D.O.C. regarding these questions and the possibility of postponing the public hearing if answers are not available by then.
VI.
MAPLE RIDGE COMMUNITY SYSTEM
2003-2004 Operation & Maintenance Budget
No budget increase was proposed for the coming fiscal year, however one EDU has been paid off, resulting in a 3.3% increase. That EDU was an “on site” system; there are 54 remaining EDU’s on the Maple Ridge system.
A motion was made by Charlie Colby and seconded by Steve Getman to approve the 2003-2004 charge at $63.90 per EDU. Vote was unanimously in favor.
VII.
SOMERSVILLE WPCF
2003-2004 Operation & Maintenance Budget
This system has higher expenditures, such as permitting, new billing software, and mill repairs. It is anticipated that the mill repairs will be reimbursed to the town.
Authority members discussed the importance of keeping the Operator’s hours at less than 20 hours, or 1,000 hours per year, while maintaining the integrity of the plant.
After further discussion of various line items, a motion was made by Charlie Colby and seconded by Jim Faust to approve the 2003-2004 charge at $170.00 per EDU, representing a 3% increase. Vote was 5-0-2 (Getman & Labutis).
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Rick Cheney of Highland View Drive is requesting a refund of $2,600.00 for his assessment fee. His well is now installed.
A motion was made by Charlie Colby, seconded by Steve Getman, and unanimously voted to approve the refund of $2,600.
The Department of Health has approved a grant in the amount of $2,625.50, which pays for the food inspector and the cell phone used by Steve Jacobs.
A 2002/03 year end transfer was made in the amount of $7.00 from Postage to Supplies.
A letter to Ed Sullivan requesting revised pension information has brought no results to date.
Jim Botellio asked that the Scitico Pump Station be added to the Authority’s next meeting agenda.
III. BILLS
A motion was made by George VanTasel and seconded by Charlie Colby to approve payment of the following bills:
$87.33 to Image Max for map copier paper
$77.72 to Meadows Company for dye tablets.
Vote was unanimously in favor.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
Charlie Colby made a motion, seconded by Steve Getman, and unanimously voted, to adjourn the meeting at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dan Fraro, Secretary
Susan Swiatek, Recording Secretary
THESE MINUTES ARE
NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.