TOWN OF SOMERS

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

WPCA Minutes

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

7:00 p.m.

Town Hall Conference Room

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Jim Botellio called the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m. Members present were: Jim Botellio, Dan Fraro, Steve Getman, George VanTasel (7:15) and Charles Colby (7:40). Also present was Town Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs.

II. Public Hearing:

Expansion of the Somersville Sewer Service Area for Goodwin Drive

Chairman Jim Botellio called the public hearing to order at 7:19 p.m. and read the legal notice. There were several Goodwin Drive residents in the audience. Jim Botellio explained the process that the WPCA has gone through to be able to add a portion of Goodwin Drive to the Somersville public sewer line. Steve Jacobs, Town Sanitarian, prepared a sewer system design that would serve fifteen properties. Two easements were acquired – one without charge and the other required a fee. Then the proposed sewer line addition went out to bid. The bid from the lowest contractor, Jack Goncalves & Sons from Ludlow, MA, was $86,895. The estimated cost of this addition, including the easements, has been established at $92,850. This amount divided by fifteen properties comes out to approximately $6,200 per unit. Tying into the main sewer system provides a permanent solution to an ongoing septic system problem that exists on Goodwin Drive. The WPCA plans to go ahead with this project, starting in mid-April and finishing by the beginning of May. The re-paving should be completed by mid-June.

The following are questions from the audience:

64 Goodwin Drive (Jeannette Hourihan, owner):

A gentleman stated that a relatively new septic system has already been installed and appears to be working well. Jim Botellio explained that the owner of the property would still be responsible for the sewer assessment but would not have to hook up to the public system if he chose not to because there is a working septic system on the property.

If a property hooks up to the public system, the septic system will have to be abandoned. The process used is to crush the top of the septic system and fill it with sand. Then the property owner could put down a little topsoil and plant grass or flowers where the septic system used to be. The leachfield would just be left alone.

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192 Main Street, Sally Sargeant:

Her house is on Rte 190. Steve Jacobs obtained an easement to run a pipe up to her property line which is the only way to get gravity feed to the house. The main sewer line is going up the middle of Goodwin Drive. Sally has a ten year old septic system and does not intend to hook up to public sewers at this time. However, she is still responsible for her share of the sewer assessment.

Tony Bruno, 53 Goodwin Drive:

Tony wanted to know how much room the contractor needs on the side of his house to the property line. Steve Jacobs replied that there is no required setback as long as the line is on your own property. He asked if front footage determined the cost of $6,200 per property and was told that each property was assessed the same, regardless of front footage. He also asked if the chosen contractor could he hired for hook-ups and was told that would be between the contractor and the homeowner. Steve Jacobs said he would be willing to check out the plumbing in each of the houses to see what the best way to hook up to the main line would be.

A woman asked how the assessment would be paid. She was told that the full amount could be paid up front or could be paid over a period of ten years at 6.1% interest. A homeowner can pay as much as he wants initially and pay the remainder over a period of up to ten years.

Steve Jacobs said it appears that the user fee will be about $190 per year. Jim Botellio said that with the senior housing development coming on board, the user fee might be lowered.

The public hearing ended at 7:40 p.m.

III. Approval of Minutes: February 6, 2007

A motion was made by Steve Getman, seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved to approve the WPCA February 6, 2007 minutes, as written.

IV. Somersville Sewer Service Area:

George VanTasel made a motion to expand the Somersville sewer service area to include Goodwin Drive. This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro. The vote was: 4 in favor; 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Steve Getman). The motion passed.

V. Goodwin Drive – Sewer Main Extension:

Jim Botellio, Everett Morrill and Steve Jacobs interviewed the three lowest bidders for the sewer extension project on Goodwin Drive. All three interviewed well

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and the group recommends the lowest bidder, Jack Goncalves & Sons, Inc. out of Ludlow, MA as the contractor. He had all the necessary credentials and had several letters of recommendation from other projects. Charles Colby made a motion to approve the selection of Jack Goncalves & Sons, Inc. as the contractor for the sewer extension project on Goodwin Drive. This motion was seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously approved.

The appropriation for funding for this project was given to the Board of Selectmen who approved it at their 3/1/07 meeting. The Board of Finance also approved the appropriation of $87,000 for this project at their 3/5/07 meeting. The appropriation needs further approval at a Somers Special Town Meeting. The town will be reimbursed as assessment payments are received. The town will not charge interest until the first assessment billing payments are received. It is anticipated that about 50% of the assessments will be paid in full. The remaining amount will be charged interest by the town until paid in full.

VI. 97 Billings Road – Water Service Connection

There is a one lot subdivision on Billings Road that will need water service. The owner will have to pay the $2,600 assessment fee. A motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Steve Getman and unanimously approved to connect 97 Billings Road to the watermain, provided the $2,600 connection fee is paid.

VII. Somersville WPCF – Expansion Update

Mike Mocko has been working with Frank Smith on the bid package. We have sent the original proposal over to Attorney Carl Landolina for his approval and are awaiting his reply.

VIII. Audience Participation/Correspondence:

Steve Jacobs received the final Health Consultation report from EPA for Somers Plating on Springfield Road. It is considered a minimum health risk. The report has been turned over to the Land Trust. The area has been mitigated as far as EPA is concerned. DEP still has some issues and they are installing some monitoring wells.

Steve Jacobs did some research on a new map copier. He is looking at a digital machine that will replace the existing copier, the GIS computer and the plotter. The quote for $14,557.14 has been given to David Pinney for inclusion into the CIP forecast. This is the price including the trade-in for the existing plotter. We could set up a demonstration model within two to three weeks and a machine would be available in July of this year.

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IX. Bills:

Ace Hardware $10.51

Sonitrol $281.93

S. Jacobs reimbursement for soil scientist

society dues. $40.00

Groundwater seminar 3/27 S. Jacobs $115.00

Electrical Technology (pump replacement) $5,151.00

Journal Inquirer – notice to bid $141.66

transfer of funds: $83.55 from S/V assessment account to Sewer Escrow Account.

Motion to pay the bills made by Charles Colby; seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority.

X. Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn made by Charles Colby, seconded by George VanTasel and unanimously approved by the Authority. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Fraro, Secretary

Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.