TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

WPCA SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

7:30 p.m.

Town Hall Auditorium

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.  Members present were:  Jim Botellio, Elinor Labutis; Dan Fraro; George VanTasel; Jim Faust; Charles Colby and Steve

Getman (7:37).  Also present were:  Steve Jacobs, Sanitarian; Carl Landolina, Town Attorney;

David Pinney, First Selectman; Kathy Devlin; Selectman and Steve Krasinski, Board of Finance.

 

II.        EXECUTIVE SESSION:

            a.         Hazardville Water Company - Pending Litigation

 

                        George VanTasel made a motion to enter into Executive Session at 7:32 p.m.  This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

All members of the Authority, Steve Jacobs, Carl Landolina, David Pinney, Kathy Devlin and

Steve Krasinski entered into Executive Session which ended at 8:05 p.m.

 

III.       120 Main Street, T. Bonesteel, Sewer User Fee

 

            Mr. Bonesteel initially stated he had not received his sewer user bill and only received a

delinquent bill with interest fees included.  He then sent a payment which included the interest fees and his account is now paid in full.

 

IV.       121 Springfield Road, A. Franceski, Sewer Service Request

 

            Mr. & Mrs. Franceski's property abuts the Maple Ridge sewer line through easements owned by the Town.  They can easily make a gravity connection to the system.  The condition of the existing septic system has not been assessed.  The Franceski's are aware of the $2,500 assessment fee as well as the fact that they are responsible for the connection charges.  The system is pumped by the Town every two years and there is an annual sewer user fee charge to cover maintenance.

 

George VanTasel made a motion to approve the sewer connection of 121 Springfield Road to the

Maple Ridge sewer system.  Steve Jacobs will draw up the agreements needed.  This motion was seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

V.         300 Main Street - F. Antonacci - Proposed Age Restricted Housing

 

            David Palmberg, Architect, and Brian Curtis, Engineer, passes out a sketch showing what

is being proposed.  Mr. Antonacci owns 56 acres on 300 Main Street.  The site is on the south side of Main Street - just east of the Scantic River.  In accordance with the current ARH zoning

 

WPCA Minutes

4/13/04

Page 2

 

 

regulation, he can place (82) units on this site.  The developer would like to tie into the public sewer system.  He is proposing a plus or minus 2700 ft. force main with a pump station on his

property.

 

There was a discussion about the possible development at the Somersville Mill and a proposed ARH development by Two J's LLC.  Both of these locations are within the sewer district.  300 Main Street is outside the sewer district.

 

David Palmberg said a town survey indicated that the citizens were in favor of an expansion of both the public sewer and water availability in town. Also, the citizens appear to be in favor of

ARH development.  ARH residents do pay taxes to the Town and yet have privately maintained roads and no additional children in the school system.  He is requesting expansion of the sewer system to cover the proposed 300 Main Street ARH development.

 

Steve Jacobs asked how much of the acreage is outside the 100 year flood plain.  Brian Curtis said a topography has been done on the property and at least 50 acres is out of the flood plain.  Steve said that a two sand bed expansion is maximum for this site.  Beyond that, a new sewer plant would have to be put in place.  The Town must comply with the DEP requirement of two gallons per square foot for an acceptable design flow. 

 

Jim Botellio said that it has always been the WPCA policy that properties on the system and abutting the sewer system have priority to connect to the system. 

 

Attorney Landolina asked if a community septic system is permitted under Zoning Regulations and was told by Jim Botellio that it was.

 

Jim Botellio stated that the Authority will review all aspects of this proposed expansion of the sewer system before the next WPCA meeting in May.

 

VI.       145-147 Main Street - Two J's LLC - Proposed Age Restricted Housing

 

            Jeff Lipton, developer for this proposed project, said he is not ready to appear again before the WPCA until issues have been resolved with the Board of Finance and the Board of Selectmen.

 

A general discussion evolved about the pros and cons of the sewer plant expansion.  We have already denied access to the sewer system to other developers whose property is not on the sewer line. 

 

Attorney Carl Landolina suggested that the sewer ordinance be amended to separate the town into two separate districts - one that is within the sewer district or abutting it and the other that is outside of the sewer district.  Carl said the DEP has requested a map of the sewer district as well

as a sewer improvement plan.  Carl said he will take a look at amending the sewer ordinance to define the sewer service district.  Carl suggested amending the ordinance and schedule a public hearing for the next scheduled WPCA meeting.  Jim Botellio suggested adding a statement to the

 

WPCA Minutes

4/13/04

Page 3

 

ordinance that any special request for sewers outside of the service area will be handled by the WPCA on an individual basis.

 

VII.      Sewer/Water Billing:

            a.         Collection Update

            b.         Collector Position

 

            Steve Jacobs reported that both the sewer and water billings are in good shape with very few delinquencies.  He has been doing most of the work on the system, assisted by George Rostkowski of Vernon who has been acting as a consultant in teaching the system to Steve. 

 

Jim Botellio remarked that the WPCA had sufficient funds to make the remaining bond payments on the water system.  However, the two years that the Town started the bonding prior to the water

system being completed and subject to assessment has put the water account behind in the amount of $391,000.  The estimate of income was based on development - which did not happen.

Therefore, the water account balance is not sufficient to pay off this debt to the Town.

 

Steve Jacobs said that another resident, Todd Vella of 54 Main Street, stated he never received his

original sewer bill and asked for a waiver of the $35.70 delinquency fee that was included with his delinquent bill.  After a discussion, it was decided that because this was the first time a bill had been sent to this new address and he is a new resident,  the delinquent fee should be waived.

 

George VanTasel made a motion to waive the delinquency charge of $35.70 for the sewer user charge at 54 Main Street; seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

Collector Position:     Janet Bennett has quit her position in the Land Use Department and Steve Jacobs has been doing the collections.  Someone needs to be hired to take over this responsibility.  The Tax Collector has requested that he take over the sewer and water system billing again.  It was the consensus of the Authority that this is not acceptable.  Jim Botellio

volunteered to discuss this problem with First Selectman David Pinney.

 

VIII.    Health Department Regionalization:

 

            Steve Jacobs itemized the responsibilities that he now has that would not be covered if Somers is forced to join a health district and listed those people or commissions that might be able to cover these responsibilities.

 

This list will be reviewed by the Authority and discussed at a future WPCA meeting.

 

IX.       Hall Hill Road, Drainage Problem:

 

            First Selectman David Pinney had agreed to send a letter to the DOT concerning the drainage problems existing on Hall Hill Road after the revamping of the intersection and other

improvements made to Hall Hill Road.  Steve Jacobs gave Jim Botellio a list of the proper people to contact at the DOT and he will discuss this matter with Dave Pinney tomorrow.

 

WPCA Minutes

4/13/04

Page 4

 

X.         Correspondence/Audience Participation:

 

            Steve Jacobs received a correspondence from Blair Lawson, consultant for the current sewer and water billing system, that states he feels he can continue to maintain and make corrections to the system even though he is currently based in California - using telephone and internet connections.  This would be done at no additional charge.  He did enclose a small bill

for modifying a few reports - which is not included in the maintenance contract.

 

Steve Jacobs said he would like to attend a one-day no-charge seminar on April 29, 2004 in East Hartford that deals with public health and safety in the event of bio-terrorism attacks.  Charles Colby made a motion to approve Steve Jacobs' attendance at this seminar pending approval from the Board of Selectmen; seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

There was a brief discussion about Homeland Security funding town employees attendance at this type of seminar.  It was also suggested that Steve Jacobs be included as a member of the Civil Preparedness Council.

 

A memo from the Treasurer's office was received that requested verification of the budget items that had been cut from the proposed WPCA budget.  After a discussion, Kathy Devlin volunteered to discuss these budget cuts with the Board of Selectmen budget meeting tomorrow morning. 

 

19 Scitico Road has requested a water connection which the State is willing to pay for because their water shows EDB contamination.  Their water assessment has been paid.  The State has asked them to get three quotes for connection to the water system.

 

Water usage reports from the prison have been received.  Steve Jacobs passed out the FOI information that the members had requested at the last meeting.

 

XI.       Bills:

 

            Blair Lawson (changes to billing reports)                         $160.00

            Astro Chemical (SVO&M)                                                        $486.85

            Avery Septic                                                                             $65.00

            Millipore (chemicals for Sewer Plant)                                         $56.71

            Millipore (chemicals for Sewer Plant)                                         $94.08

            Quill Office Supplies                                                                  $11.08

            Transfer from Maple Ridge to General Account - bonding           $13,930.00

            Transfer from Somersville to General Account - bonding             $95,643.00

 

George VanTasel made a motion to approve payment of the bills; seconded by Charles Colby and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

4/13/04

Page 5

 

 

 

XII.      ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Charles Colby; seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Dan Fraro, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.