TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

WPCA MINUTES

6/1/04; 7:15 p.m.

Town Hall Conference Room

 

 

I.            PUBLIC HEARING

                        Sec. 155-2, Sewer Regulations Amendment

 

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the public hearing to order at 7:17 p.m. and read the Public Hearing Notice.  He also read the proposed change to the existing ordinance.  Steve Jacobs presented a map of the sewer service area for both the Maple Ridge and Somersville sewer systems.

 

Steve Getman questioned the wording of the amendment.  There was a brief discussion.  Jim Botellio said this wording was suggested by the Town Attorney in order to leave the door open for future expansion of the system, if this ever became necessary.

 

There were no comments from the public; no one was in the audience.

 

George VanTasel made a  motion to close the public hearing; seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The public hearing ended at 7:21 p.m.

 

II.        CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the regular meeting to order at 7:21 p.m.  Members present were:  Jim Botellio; George VanTasel; Jim Faust; Dan Fraro; Elinor Labutis and Steve Getman.  Also present was Town Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs.

 

III.            Minutes Approval:            May 4, 2004

 

            Several changes were made to the May 4, 2004 minutes:

            Page 1, first line, change "Bill" to "Jim"

            Page 1, Item III, A. first line, eliminate "he", add "the property at 300 Main Street".

            Page 1, Item IV, B, fourth line, add "vote was unanimous".

            Page 1, Item IV. B, last line, add "vote was unanimous".

            Page 2, Item VI, B, second line, remove "draft" and substitute "copy", remove "study" and substitute "final report".

            Page 2, Item B, add "vote was unanimous".

            Page 2, Item VI, add "vote was unanimous"

George VanTasel made a motion to approve the 5/4/04 minutes, as amended; seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

6/1/04

Page 2

 

 

IV.            Discussion/Possible Approval of Sec. 155-2, Sewer Regulations Amendment

 

            Steve Getman made a motion to approve Sec. 155-2, Sewer Regulations Amendment; seconded by Jim Faust and unanimously approved by the Authority. 

 

Steve Jacobs will send this notice of approval to the Journal Inquirer.

 

V.         240 Four Bridges Road - Proposed Water Service

 

            This is a vacant lot that has been purchased as a site for a single family home.  The new owner is willing to pay the $2,600.00 water assessment fee.  Jim Faust made a motion to approve accepting the $2600.00 water assessment fee for a vacant lot at 240 Four Bridges Road; seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

VI.            Sewer/Water Billing

            a.            Collection Update

                        Steve Jacobs reported that Intent to Lien notices for delinquent water assessments were sent out in May.  (14) were sent out and (6) have paid.  The other (8) remain delinquent.  Steve Jacobs suggested sending our foreclosure notices to all those accounts over two years delinquent or with a total delinquency of over $1,000.00.  The members of the Authority agreed that this should be done.

 

            b.            Collector

 

                        Steve Jacobs said we do not have a collector and that he has been doing the billing system since the end of last year.  Shirley Taylor has indicated her willingness to learn the billing system as part of her job, but until another clerical person is assigned to Land Use, she just doesn't have the time to devote to learning the billing system. 

 

Steve Jacobs said that if nothing is done about this situation by July 1, 2004, he feels that he should be paid if he continues to handle the billing system.  He would be willing to do this for the $2,000.00 that is already in the water system budget.

 

Jim Botellio said that he would discuss this situation with First Selectman David Pinney.

 

VII.      Health Department Regionalization

 

            Steve Jacobs has prepared a breakdown of those duties that would have to be diverted to other departments if Somers is forced to join a health district.  It was the consensus of the Authority to defer a discussion of these duties until the next meeting in order to give the members of the Authority a chance to review this list.

 

VIII.    CT DOC/Rye Hill - Mitigation Update

 

            Steve Jacobs received the quarterly report from DOC.  Highlights are:  DEP approved briefer quarterly reports.  There was essentially no change in the perimeter reports - levels are

 

WPCA Minutes

6/1/04

Page 3

 

dropping slowly.  The DEP is doing testing for EDB's and DCP levels in different areas of town.  The mitigation wells continue to show a downward trend.  The HRC method did very well in the laundry area.  Did not receive a final report on the SWIA area.  DEP approved a reduction in the testing of the perimeter wells - they will be done on an annual schedule.  Also, notification of hooking up to public water will be done on an annual basis.  Five properties still have not hooked up on Rye Hill Circle.  The cost of this project is now up to 6.3 million dollars.

 

IX.            Correspondence/Audience Participation

 

            Steve Jacobs sent a letter to Palmberg stating that Antonacci's request for hooking up to public sewers was denied because his property was out of the service area.

 

Received a letter from the DOT stating they do not feel responsible for the stones in the brook in the Hall Hill Road area.  Our Public Works Department will remove these stones and correct this overflow situation.

 

Steve has been working with Tom O'Connor of DEP to have EPA do a site assessment at 58 Springfield Road, a site contaminated with cadmium.

 

Steve has also been talking with Bill Hogan, DEP, about the plans for the sewer main replacement and prison expansion.

 

X.        Bills:

 

            Sonitrol                                    $245.88

            Arrow Data Services               $600.00

            Ct. Management Svc.                 $1000.00

            annual support from Blair Lawson

            CT DEP (S/V permit)             $1597.50

 

            Also, a transfer for fire protection charges to the water fund in the amount of $5,800.00.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WPCA Minutes

6/1/04

Page 4

 

 

XI.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by George VanTasel; seconded by Jim Faust and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                            Dan Fraro, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.