Tuesday, July 5,
2005
7:30 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Charles Colby
called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Members present were: Jim Botellio (arrived at 7:40), Charles
Colby, Jim Faust, Dan Fraro, Steve Getman, Elinor Labutis, and George VanTassel,
Jr. Also in attendance were Town
Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs and First Selectman, David Pinney
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 7,
2005
A motion was made by Steve
Getman, seconded by Jim Faust and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of
the June 7, 2005 meeting as written.
At this time, Chairman Jim
Botellio arrived and assumed his position as chairman of the meeting, relieving
Mr. Colby of such responsibility for the duration of the
meeting.
III. SOMERS VILLAGE – PROPOSED AGE RESTRICTED
HOUSING
A map showing
the proposed age restricted housing complex was presented by Ken Smith of BSC
Group in Glastonbury. Mr. Smith
also introduced Aris Stalis, Design Engineer of the project, who was also
available to answer questions.
Mr. Smith explained that the development will consist of 80 single-family
units, each containing either 2 or 3 bedrooms. The units will be constructed on 45
acres situated just off of Shaker Road.
a.
Sewer Main Extension - There will be an easement onto Route
190 near Joanna’s Café, which will provide access to the sewer and water
mains. 41 of the units located on
the eastern side of the development will be served by gravity sewer. The remaining 39 units will be connected
to a pumping station situated at the other end of the development.
The question
arose as to an easement at the western end as well, but Mr. Smith explained that
much of that land is privately owned and consists of wetlands. He added that it might be difficult to
get an approval because there are more viable alternatives. It might be a challenge to get the
approval of the Conservation Commission because it would entail crossing over
wetland areas.
Mr. Jacobs
disagreed with this conclusion and noted that much of the private land is
currently owned by Jeff Lipton, who would readily provide town access. In addition, this would allow the
maximum number of the units to be attached to the gravity system in lieu of the
pump system. He explained that a
pump system isn’t as desirable as a gravity system because, like most mechanical
systems, a pump system would be subject to occasional failures necessitating
repair. Since the Town does not
have automatic access to a repair facility, the time and expense of hiring one
would come into play and down time would be unavoidable.
Mr. Smith
replied that there has been a significant improvement in service with regard to
pump systems and they now include a backup pump in the event the primary pump
fails as well as a generator should the power go down.
The maintenance
of the system once it is completed will be the responsibility of the Town. This will ensure that it is maintained
properly and any unforeseen problems can be addressed promptly.
Mr. Jacobs noted
that there will be a need for adequate parking for at least 2 vehicles at the
pumping station and the station will need to be screened so as to filter out
noise.
He added that it
is important to get as many units as possible connected to the gravity system
rather than to the pump system.
Mr. Jacobs explained gravity systems are not subject to breakdowns. The Authority concurred and it was noted
that a more complete analysis of the entire situation can be made when final
plans are available.
Mr. Jacobs
offered to speak with Attorney Carl Landolina about drafting up a Sewer Main
Extension Agreement for the project.
In addition, he recommended a third-party inspection of the work.
A motion was
made by Charles Colby, seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved to ask
Town Attorney Carl Landolina to put together a Sewer Main Extension Agreement
for the proposed age restricted housing project that will include the $2,500.00
per unit assessment.
b. Water Main Extension
- There is currently a water main on Shaker Road and the possibility of looping
into that is being considered. The
developers will be meeting with the Hazardville Water Company tomorrow to
further discuss the situation.
Since it is expected to be a meeting including discussion of technical
aspects only, no representation from the Town will be required. Any difficulties arising at the meeting
should be discussed with the Town as soon as possible, however.
A
motion was made by Charles Colby, seconded by George VanTasel, Jr. and
unanimously approved to use the existing agreement that has been drafted with
the Hazardville Water Company unless there are any notable discrepancies or if
changes are required. Any problems
should be brought to the attention of Steve Jacobs as soon as
possible.
IV. SOMERSVILLE WPCF – EXPANSION
UPDATE
The
Authority members were given copies of the report for the Proposed Expansion of
Somersville Sewer Treatment Plant dated 7/5/05 by Joseph E. Ward, P.E.. It was noted that the DEP’s biggest
concern has been with defining the service area and there is concern on their
part that the growth does not become out of control.
The
Town is looking for approval on this by the DEP. Once the DEP sees this report, they will
be able to better understand what volume is being
proposed.
A
motion was made by Steve Getman, seconded by Jim Faust and unanimously voted to
approve the proposed Expansion of Somersville Sewer Treatment Plant of July 5,
2005, with modification to the distribution of flow between the mill and the age
restricted housing.
V. SUNSET DRIVE
Water
samples have been taken on more homes and 4 more of them have been discovered by
the Town to have TCP readings above the drinking water standard. The owners of these homes have been
given bottled water. DEP will test
the water and if they find TCP readings above the drinking water standard also,
then filters will be put installed.
The rest of the homes on the street are going to be tested as well and a
decision will need to be made whether or not to bring in public water if many more wells are
found to be contaminated.
VI. SEWER/WATER
BILLING
a. Delinquent Accounts
- No payment on the two delinquent accounts have been received from the
collection agency. Another letter
was sent on the Meyer account, but Mr. Meyer did not claim the letter.
A
motion was made by Jim Faust, seconded by Elinor Labutis and unanimously
approved to send the delinquent sewer/water assessment for 24 Hall Hill Road
(Meyer) to the collection agency for payment.
b. Billing System Operator - Margaret Rondeau has indicated that she
is not interested in taking the Billing System Operator position. It was the consensus of the Authority to
have the First Selectmen discuss the position with Shirley or look for another
individual to fill the position.
VII. HEALTH DEPARTMENT
REGIONALIZATION
Steve
Jacobs said that there is no new information to report at this time. He brought in a copy of a recent
Hartford Courant editorial in favor of regionalization. In addition, he shared with the
Authority an email David Pinney and he received on the
topic.
VIII.
CORRESPONDENCE/AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Invitations
for bids regarding tank pumping on Maple Ridge have been sent out to Skip’s,
Avery and Parker.
A
quarterly report has been received from the Department of Correction on the
mitigation going on at the prison.
Policies
and procedures regarding the budget for next year were received from the Board
of Finance.
IX. BILLS
Bills
presented were as follows:
Somers Hardware
$9.94
Lloyd’s Power
Equipment
39.94
Environmental
Monitoring Laboratories
530.00
A motion was
made by Charles Colby, seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved to pay
the bills.
X.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was
made by Charles Colby, seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved to
adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Fraro, Secretary
Robin Timmons,
Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL
AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.