TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

WPCA Minutes

June 6, 2006

7:30 p.m.

Town Hall Conference Room

 

I.          Call to Order:

            Chairman Jim Botellio called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

 

II.            Approval of Minutes:                May 2, 2006

            George VanTasel made a motion to approve the 5/2/06 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved.

 

Steve Getman made a motion to change the order of business and take agenda item VI. at this time.  This motion was seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority.

 

VI.            Somersville WPCF - Sewer Plant Expansion:

            Mike Mocko from Ward Engineering said the plans and the specifications are finalized and two copies have been submitted to the DEP.  There are 14 pages of plans and 280 pages of specifications.  These plans include the system upgrade as well as the replacement of the pump station on Quality Avenue.  The total cost of this project should be available by the next WPCA meeting on July 11, 2006. 

 

The present pump station is shot and the cost of repairs would be as much as replacing the worn equipment.  With the replacement pumps, the sewer system can remain fully operational even if two of the pumps shut down.  Frank Smith's Company is making this unit for the pump station.  It will come fully assembled and will just have to be dropped into place.  There will be no break in service - switch over from old to new.  It is mandated by the State to have two working pumps in case one fails.

 

Steve Getman suggested explaining to the Board of Selectmen why it is economically feasible to replace the pump station at the same time the sewer plant is expanded.

 

Steve Jacobs reported that the DEP wanted to increase the frequency of testing for the expanded sewer plant, but that he was able to convince them that the standard testing would be sufficient.  The DEP also wanted to increase our permit fee but finally agreed to the regular charge of $1,597.50 per year.  The final permit will be approved for 100,000 gallons per day.

 

The developer feels he should not pay the sewer charge of $170,000 until final approval of the sewer plant upgrade is received from the DEP.  Steve Jacobs said that we have

 

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6/6/06

Page 2

 

enough capacity at the present sewer plant to handle at least twenty new homes and the developer does not have to worry about capacity at his stage of development.  After a discussion, it was the consensus of the Authority that a certified letter be written instilling a stop work order and no further permits will be issued to the developer until the sewer payment of $170,000 is sent in by the developer.  It was suggested that the developer be given seven days to pay the sewer charge before the stop work order goes into effect.  The developer is current with the water payments, the next payment is due when they start the 27th house.  The town's share of $200,000 has been approved at a town meeting but it has not been budgeted yet.  A letter will also be sent to the Board of Selectmen asking for this

payment to be transferred to the WPCA within the next seven days.

 

The Authority returned to the regular order of business.

 

III.       27 Quality Avenue - Change of Use

            Kingdom Builders, Inc. is gradually leasing the small mill building behind the mill.  Their original sewer assessment was for 2.33 EDU's.  They are now planning on

putting in a Daycare Center with a proposed occupancy of 53 people, plus staff.  This will be done on a gradual basis starting off with a staff of 4 and 10 students.  This would calculate out to a 1.68 EDU increase and a new sewer assessment of $4,200.  Water Assessment usage will not be increased at this time.  A public hearing is required for this increased sewer assessment.

 

George VanTasel made a motion to schedule a public hearing for the following proposed

assessment on July 11, 2006 at 7:15 p.m. in the Town Hall Conference Room:

PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS

Owner                                      Address                                               Assessment

Kingdom Builders, Inc.            27 Quality Avenue                         $4200.00

 

This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved.

 

IV.            Goodwin Drive - Proposed Sewer Main Extension

            Steve Jacobs announced that 23 Goodwin Drive has been sold and negotiations for an easement for the sewer line will have to be continued with the new owner.

 

V.            EXECUTIVE SESSION - Easement Negotiation

            The Authority went into Executive Session at 8:28 p.m. and exited at 8:31 p.m.

 

Steve Getman made a motion to add the following item to the agenda; seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved.

 

 

 

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VI.            Hazardville Water Co. (HWC) and Connecticut Water Company (CWC) -

            Interconnection to the Somersville 16" Regional Pipe Line

            The Authority is concerned that CWC is using the town's pipeline to tie into areas for their own benefit.  They questioned how DPUC could authorize the use of the town's water system for CWC gain.  George VanTasel said the town is at least entitled to a hookup fee of $2,600 plus an amount per gallon fee.  The Town wasn't even notified of CWC's intent.  This issue will be referred to the Town Attorney for review.

 

VIII.            Correspondence/Audience Participation

            Steve Jacobs reported that the owner of 86 Beverly Drive, Mrs. Ball, formerly

Mrs. Francis, is paying off her sewer assessment and has also asked for a release of the maintenance agreement on the property.  The Authority had no objection to this release.

 

Steve Jacobs received a groundwater monitoring report dated 2005 for the maintenance garage area in Osborn.  The State recommends the continuation of the semi-annual water monitoring even though they expect a continued decrease in contamination.

 

Ed Sullivan transferred $5,800 into our water assessment account for the town's share of fire protection.

 

David Pinney sent a memo requesting that nameplates be used at all meetings where an audience is anticipated.

 

Meyer's Motors on Hall Hill Road paid off their sewer and water assessments in full.

 

IX.       Bills:

            Sonitrol                                                                        $284.61

            Ellington Printers                                                          $128.57

            CT DEP (public notice advertising fee)             $806.51

            Credit Bureau (payoff on account on Maple Ridge)            $205.96

            W. B. Mason Co.                                                       $19.38

            CT DEP (annual payment fee)                             $1597.50

            Environmental Monitoring (sludge analysis)                       $264.60

            Ace Hardware (batteries)                                             $8.49

            New England Balance Service                         $98.00

            Transfers:

            Water Debt                                                                 $85,419

            Maple Ridge Bond                                                      $11,443.46

            Sewer Plant Supervisor                                            $3,076.72

 

George VanTasel made a motion to pay the bills and approve the transfers, seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved by the Authority.

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6/6/06

Page 4

 

X.            Adjournment:

            Motion to adjourn made by Steve Getman; seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority.  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Dan Fraro, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.