[Marker]
REGULAR MEETING
April 5, 2006
Present: G. Konow, D. Pattee, R. Regan, P. Moisio, J. Campbell, J. Shaban, D. Stroetzel
Also present: Bozza (Veolia), four representatives of GLDC
Acting Chair Regan called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 pm
RECOGNITION
Mr. Regan read the letter of resignation from Mr. Konow. He reported that the First Selectman presented Mr. Konow with a Certificate of Appreciation for his eight years of service on the Water Pollution Control Commission. Mr. Regan, on behalf of board members thanked George for his service above the call of duty, for bringing Veolia on board to manage the plant, for his diligent work to be sure that Phase III of the sewage treatment facility was reviewed completely.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: That the Water Pollution Control Commission accept the minutes of the March 1, 2006 meeting as corrected. Pattee, Moisio. Approved. Unanimous.
Corrections: Mr. Stroetzel was present for the meeting, but was not listed; page 2, under B, Sewer Service Agreement, the vote on the motion was 2-5, motion defeated.
Motion: That the Water Pollution Control Commission accept the minutes of the March 15, 2006 meeting as corrected. Stroetzel, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
Correction: page 1, Mr. Campbell left the meeting at 7:25 pm; page 1, last paragraph, line 3, change the permit was appealed to a formal hearing was requested by the Connecticut Fund for the Environment
VEOLIA REPORT
Mr. Bozza presented a written report. He reported the plant has been functioning well since 3/24/06, after the SBR#2 was emptied, cleaned, refilled & reseeded. He explained the problem caused by a contamination of SBR#2, the steps taken to correct the situation, and the current state of the plant. The source of the contamination is not yet known. Veolia has had extensive testing done by Phoenix Environmental Laboratories to determine the components of the contamination.
Mr. Bozza reported that he immediately notified the Department of Environmental Protection, informed them of the plan of action, that plan was approved, and he kept in daily contact with DEP. The Town Sanitarian was also kept informed and he signed all necessary permits.
Mr. Bozza reported that they were able to keep the plant operational for the users by discharging effluent to the Danbury sewer plant.
Mr. Bozza & Mr. StAmand inspected all manhole covers in Georgetown, but none showed anything of interest or significant movement. He also commented on several visits from area residents, rudely complaining about noise and odor during the nighttime pumping of SBR #2 wasting from the equalization tank..
The contamination of the treatment facility is a criminal offense and the Redding police will be asked to investigate further.
On or about this time, the Meadow Ridge facility has a problem with an overdose of algicide accidently entering their atrium fish pond. The event was reported in the Meadow Ridge newsletter, but not reported to the WPCC, treatment facility or the Town Sanitarian.
Mr. Regan has a meeting scheduled for Friday with the Meadow Ridge people to discuss this and other issues. John Campbell will also attend the meeting.
Mr. Bozza presented a summary of the costs resulting from the incident cleanup. The total, $122,145.24, includes pumping services, disposal of materials, labor, and laboratory testing and associated costs. The Commission was in agreement that the user rates would not be increased to cover these costs. Insurance and grants will actively be pursued. Mr. Shaban will work on the insurance aspect and Mr. Stroetzel will contact the DEP for information on what other towns have done in similar situations.
Public comments were taken at this point in the meeting.
Michael Pagano, Old Mill Road: Mr. Pagano voiced his concerns about the problem, the noise and the odors.
REPORT ON MEADOW RIDGE ISSUES
Mr. Regan and Mr. Campbell will meet with the Meadow Ridge management on Friday to discuss the “grinder” issues. While the grinder may grind materials, these materials tend to link together during the journey to the plant. Mr. Bozza showed commission members a sample during the last meeting. The issue of the November 2005 incident at Meadow Ridge, the clog in their collection system, needs to be resolved. In addition, when the collection line was cleaned, material was dislodged along the way and entered the treatment plant creating additional problems. It was noted that the generator for the grinder is on site, but is not yet functioning.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
a. Access to plant/right away: this was finalized at the last meeting
b. Sewer Service Agreement Letter: this has been finalized and is ready for signing.
c. Construction agreement/performance bond: Mr. Gibbons and Town Attorney Lavelle have completed their reviews. The Commission member reviewed the document and changes.
GLDC provided a copy of the performance bond from Nickerson, the selected contractor for the Phase III plant.
Operating costs for the new plant were discussed. There was a concern that the operating costs would increase before there was an additional base of users to offset the costs. GLDC offered to pick up the difference, if there is a difference. If the operating costs go over the $17.90, GLDC will pick up the additional costs.
The issue of how long GLDC would be responsible was discussed at length. It was agreed that GLDC would be responsible until the flow from the GLDC project reached 100,000 gpd plus one year. The document will be finalized before the next meeting.
ELECTION OF OFFICES
This was postponed until a new commission member is appointed.
REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STATUS
The financial reports for February and April were reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
The chair adjourned the meeting at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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