RECEIVED January 23, 2012 @4:10 P.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
January 18, 2012
Present: A. Atamian, T. Flagg, J. Miller, D. Pattee, R. Regan, D. Robinson
Also present: R. Gervais (Veolia Water), and two representatives of the Georgetown Special Taxing District
Chairman Regan called the regular meeting of the WPCC to order at 7:34 pm in the Redding Town Office Hearing Room.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the December 21, 2011 meeting be accepted as corrected. Pattee, Regan. Approved. 5-0-1. Mr. Flagg abstained.
Corrections: page 1, the minutes approved were from the November 16, 2012 meeting: page 1, last paragraph, line 1, change for to a; page 3, paragraph 3, line 5 should read “previously issued permit; page 3, motion regarding 8 Main street, change again to against
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
Mr. Gervais will email the report for December. He highlighted what was in the report.
- Average influent flow, 63,120 gpd
- Large volume of screenings found on 12/13/2011: a buildup of grease was noted in the pump station just prior to this happening. The grease plugged up the screens and required cleaning. A large volume of rags was removed. This has not occurred since then.
- GBT (Gravity Belt Thickner) pump issue: the GBT pump shutdown and the PLC had blanked out and the panel alarm was on. When Mr. Gervais checked it the motor was fine. When the PLC output reset the main breaker and caused an explosive reaction at the PLC door. Traver was called to trouble shoot the system and determined it was an unknown source, but would require replacement of components to the controls.
Mr. Regan met with Mr. Gervais and John Oatley (Veolia) to review the statement reflecting the annual increase in the contract cost for operation services. Mr. Oatley indicated the increase reflects the Consumer Price Index and the contractual increase. The dates on the letter were corrected and a new copy issued to Mr. Regan.
GSTD REGISTRATION TO DISCHARGE EFFLUENT FROM EXCAVATION
Chris Lynch of the Georgetown Special Taxing District and Dan Jahne of Fuss & O’Neil Engineers were present to provide more information concerning the request to discharge trench excavation dewatering groundwater to the sanitary sewer. The work is related to the work planned for the intersection of Portland Avenue and North Main Street. Boring taken from the area has shown a small area that is expected to have ground water contaminated with low levels of metals and PAHs. The recommendation of Fuss & O’Neil is to have the ground water pumped into a “frack tank” to allow the solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. Water can be drawn off the top, discharged into the sanitary sewer, and processed through the wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Jahne noted that
the DEEP prefers this method if a treatment facility is available. The settled materials would be cleaned out and disposed of separately. The application was for up to 10,000 gallons per day, but Mr. Jahne suggested lowering the limit to 5,000 gallons per day.
Commission members expressed concern about the introduction of additional water into the wastewater treatment facility, especially given the low volume currently being processed. In addition, the treatment plan does not treat the metals and PAHs. The commission members were concerned that any large volume of essentially clean water will dilute the waste stream to the plant, with the potential to create operational problems at the plant. The treatment plant could also be affected should any unforeseen event occur during the dewatering operations.
Alternatives were discussed. Mr. Jahne noted that discharging directly to the Norwalk River would require additional treatment of the water by the contractor performing the trench work. Mr. Pattee noted that the cost of discharging directly to the river is about the same as discharging to a “frack tank” and the wastewater treatment facility, but problems with the plant operation would be avoided. Since the Norwalk River is directly adjacent to the proposed site activities, and direct discharge to surface water is feasible and common in unsewered areas, the Commission felt the potential risk to the treatment plant was not warranted in this case.
Motion: move that the Water Pollution Control Commission allow the discharge from the trench dewatering to the Treatment Plant for an amount not to exceed 5,000 gallons per day, with the treatment processes proposed by Fuss & O’Neil including the “frack tank” and other measures. Regan, Flagg. Vote: all members voted against the motion. MOTION FAILED
Mr. Regan and Ms. Atamian will prepare a formal letter to GSTD with an explanation for the denial of the request.
DISCUSSION OF 58 REDDING ROAD AND CHANGE IN USAGE
Mr. Elio Cavicchia was present to discuss the change in use for 58 Redding Road and request for approval for discharge of 1,400 gpd to the treatment plant. He initially submitted a request in August of 2008, but was asked for an engineer’s verification of the water usage. Verification was not received and no action was taken at that time. Mr. Cavicchia is now preparing to open a restaurant in late March, with the same specifications.
The Commission requested that Mr. Cavicchia appear at the February WPCC meeting with confirmation on the water usage. Approval of the request will be granted with that confirmation.
Mr. Cavicchia added that the water meter at 58 Redding Road was discontinued because there is currently no water flow to the building. The meter will be reconnected soon.
TREES ON STATE ROAD RIGHT OF WAY
Mr. Miller will report on this at the next meeting.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG update
Mr. Miller reported the Board of Selectmen was in full support of application for the Call Before You Dig program. Selectman Pemberton noted that the Town of Redding owns the treatment plant and has a responsibility for continual operation of the plant. Mr. Miller is in the process of completing the paperwork for the submission of the application.
Mr. Gervais contacted On Target for a price on marking out the sewer utility lines and found that they no longer provide that service. He was directed to another firm and got a quote of $775 to do the marking, and $875 on an emergency basis. He will provide additional quotes for the next meeting. There will be further discussion at the next meeting on the timing for getting the lines marked.
Mr. Robinson provided copies of the collection line from the Meadow Ridge facility to the treatment facility. Mr. Gervais took one copy for the plant, and Mr. Pattee took the other copy for the Zoning Officer for GIS purposes.
7 MAIN STREET, CONVERSION OF STORAGE TO APARTMENT
No one was present for this issue.
REVIEW OF PROPERTIES METERS NEEDING REPAIR/REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION
Mrs. LePoutre provided an updated list of properties that need to be inspected for potential repair or replacement of the meters. These are:
- 18 Main Street, old Knight house
- 20 North Main Street, GLDC
- 53 Redding Road, vet clinic
- 65 Redding Road, Post Office building
Mr. Regan will determine a time for follow up on these properties.
FINANCIAL STATUS AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
The balance in the Assessment Account is $27,973.91 as of January 12, 2012.
Current balance of the Usage Account is $24,558.59.
Bills for usage went out and Ms. LePoutre indicated she expects revenue of about $80,000 by the end of January.
Open invoices were reviewed.
1. Aquarion, #90045616 for $15.05 and #90045617 for $6.02
2. CL&P, dated 1/9/2012, $2,683.73
3. Ace Deluca Hardware, dated 12/30/11, $293.94
4. Hocon, 12/14/2011, $115.18
5. Mary Maday 12/28/2011, $180
6. Transcanada, 1/11/2012, #413138 for $6,333.73
7. Veolia monthly services for December, for $25,673.46
8. Veolia Reimbursables, for November, $10,259.70, subject to review by Mr. Regan.
Motion: move to approve payment of invoices as listed above, pending receipt of sufficient revenue. Regan, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
Invoices not paid: Veolia monthly services invoice for January ($25,673.46)
The current (December 2011) amount due from GSTD is $707,047.18
DISCUSSION OF PLANNING FOR CAPITAL NEEDS OF THE PLANT & COLLECTION SYSTEM
Commission members discussed the need for a capital plan for the plant. Mr. Miller brought up the issue of capital needs planning with the Board of Selectmen at their last meeting. The Board of Selectmen suggested that a capital plan for the next 5 years be developed by the WPCC. The plan should include replacement of equipment and other needs. Mr. Robinson suggested that the engineer who designed the plant, Tighe & Bond, be consulted for a plan for replacement of equipment, the estimated lifespan of the various components of the plant, and associated costs. Mr. Pattee will contact Tighe & Bond on this matter.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Pattee, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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