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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
October 3, 2007
Present: R. Regan, P. Moisio, D. Pattee, J. Shaban, D. Stroetzel
Also present: Bozza & St.Amand (Veolia Water), Penn(GLDC), Valinski (Tighe & Bond), and four others.
Media: Redding Pilot
Acting Chair Regan called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Hearing Room of the Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: That the Water Pollution Control Commission accept the minutes of the September 5, 2007 as submitted. Stroetzel, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move to table the minutes of the special meetings of September 19 & October 1, 2007 to the next meeting. Moisio, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION ON CONTRACT ISSUES FOR NEW PLANT
Commission members discussed contract issues at special meetings on September 19 and October 1, 2007. Discussion centered on the contractual agreement between the Town of Redding WPCC and Veolia to operate the current plant transitioning to the Phase III plant, and the operation of the Phase III plant.
The current contract with Veolia is in year 5 of a 15-year contract, and the contract allows for modifications to the contract. Town Counsel Michael Lavelle confirmed that the contract could be modified without going out to bid. Mr. Regan noted that the change to the Phase 3 plant will require additional manpower to operate the plant, and DEP has rated the plant as a Class 4, current plant is Class 2. The switchover to the new plant will trigger the need for a Class 4 operator and additional staffing.
In addition to the contract for operating the current plant, Veolia has been retained to review and oversee the installation/construction of the new Phase 3 plant. He cited paragraphs from the Contract Agreement, page 6, item g.
The parties agree that replacement of the Phase II WPCF with the Phase III WPCF is intended to provide the additional capacity needed for the GLDC Development Property and the GRC Property without undue detriment or extra cost to the Town, the WPCC or the present users of the Phase II WPCC.
Consequently, for the period beginning with the switch-over to the new Phase III WPCF through and including one (1) year after the Phase III WPCF has been operating at an average daily flow (as hereafter defined) equal to or greater than 125,000 GPD, in the event that the sewer use charges to the existing users of the Phase III WPCF (the “Higher Charges”), the GWPCA will reimburse the WPCC for the difference between the Existing Charges and the Higher Charges, so that the existing users of the Phase II WPCF will not be required to pay more than they would normally pay for sewer use charges as a result of the transition from Phase II WPCF to the Phase III WPCF. In such event, GWPCA shall have the right to review the operational costs of the Phase III WPCF in order to verify such claimed Higher Charges.
Bridge contract: Commission members discussed the concept of a bridge contract to cover the period when the Phase 3 plant becomes operational to the time a new operating contract has been bid out.
Motion: move that the Redding WPCC invite Veolia Water to provide a 6-month bridge contract with 90-day automatic renewals up to and including a year, subject to being replaced by an agreement with Veolia or other vendor, and authorize the Chair or subcommittee to work with Veolia to enter into such contract. Shaban, Stroetzel.
Discussion continued. Mr. Shaban suggested the Commission make a decision on bidding the contract prior to consideration of the need for a bridge contract.
Motion: move to table the motion on the Bridge Contract. Shaban, Moisio. Approved Unanimous.
Motion: move that the Redding WPCC request WMC Engineers to prepare bid specifications for the operation of the Phase 3 of the wastewater treatment facility to go out to bid and authorize the Chair or subcommittee to work to make this happen. Shaban, Stroetzel.
Mr. Regan noted that Veolia Water submitted a contract modification proposal for the Phase III operation for WPCC review. A copy of the contract was given to GLDC for review. Mr. Bozza added that putting the contract out to bid at this point, with the Veolia contract information available, is disadvantageous for Veolia.
Mr. Bozza (Veolia) addressed the commission regarding the status of the plant construction. He reported that the acceptance for the new plant is not complete; there is more work to be done prior to getting the plant up and running. He reported that during the testing phase, DEP may consider the plant to be a Class 4 operation.
Mr. Pattee noted that the wastewater treatment facility is the Town of Redding’s plant and Veolia is the operator with complete authority over the operation of the plant. GLDC and their construction team has no authority or permission to operate any component of the plant without the approval of the Veolia operator. In addition, it is the intent of the WPCC not to increase the sewer usage rates for the current Georgetown users, and if possible reduce the rates.
Mr. Penn, representing GLDC and the Georgetown Special Taxing District, addressed the commission. He believes there has been a communication gap between the GLDC team and Veolia operator. GLDC is prepared to begin testing with “dirty water” by mid-October. The entire process is 90 days behind schedule due to the delay in DEP permitting of the water problem. He indicated that when there is an operating agreement, GLDC becomes an involved party since they are responsible for payment of the delta, the difference between normal operating expenses and actual expenses, and all should work together to get the most cost efficient operation.
Mr. Valinski, Tighe & Bond, stated that the construction team is consulting with Veolia prior to working on the plant. He added that the “start-up” long process, the right people are doing the work and they are preparing to start up the Zenon system with clean water.
Ralph Bosch, property owner in Georgetown, commented on the discussion regarding the operation contract. He asked if the potential gain from going out to bid for the plant operation would justify the cost involved in taking the contract out to bid. Over the long term, the cost and time involved in putting the contract out to bid may not be a savings for the users of the system.
Mr. Penn noted that the Georgetown Special Taxing District is a public body and everything they do should be transparent, therefore they would prefer a public bid process.
Commission members discussed the issues. Discussion centered on the history the Commission has with Veolia operating the current plant and their involvement and oversight of the new plant construction. The possibility of bringing in a new operator at this point did not appear to be advantageous as the company would not have the experience and knowledge that the Veolia staff has. In addition, it was noted that the contract has a 90-day termination clause that can be executed by either party.
Mr. Bozza noted that Veolia, in good faith, submitted a contract proposal for the Commission to review and the details of the proposal had become public. Because the details are public, Veolia may not be interested in bidding for the operation should a public bid process go forward.
VOTE ON MOTION: voting on the motion to go out to bid:
2-2-1. Voting for: Stroetzel, Shaban. Voting against: Regan, Pattee; Abstaining, Moisio.
Motion fails.
TABLED MOTION: Mr. Shaban withdrew the motion on the table (motion for a bridge contract).
Discussion of Veolia Contract Modification Proposal followed.
Motion: move that the Redding WPCC accept the proposed modification to the current contract with Veolia Water as outlined in a letter dated September 13, 2007, excluding the Maintenance & Repair line item for $10,000, effective when DEP determines the plant is operating at a Class 4 level, with all other base contract terms apply including the 90-day cancellation clause based on the convenience of either party as specified in paragraph 5.3 of the October 1, 2002 contract. Regan, Stroetzel. Approved. 4-0-1. Moisio abstained.
VEOLIA REPORT
Mr. Bozza presented the monthly report for September. The Main Street pump station pump #2 failed early in September. The wet well at the pump station was loaded with grease, rags and hygiene products. The grease was especially difficult to remove. Commission members were concerned that the area restaurants were not pumping their grease traps as required. Mrs. Moisio will send notices to the area restaurants, and ask them to submit copies of their receipts for grease trap pumping. The Health Officer will be asked to make more regular inspections of the grease traps.
The average flow to the plant during the month was 63,000 GPD. Meadow Ridge has been doing cleaning and preparing units for occupation creating additional flow. Mr. Bozza and Mr. St. Amand have inspected the meters and discussed the water flow with the Meadow Ridge management and now have a good handle of what water is being used and what the deductions should be.
The flows from the Georgetown users is averaging 10,000 GPD on weekdays, with the flows increasing to 18,000-20,000 GPD on the weekends.
Meters: Mr. Bozza reported the meter on the Post Office building is not functioning and needs to be replaced. Another meter on a residence is also in need of replacement. The meter malfunctioned and was actually running backward. The owner of the property received a very high bill for the past quarter. The problem is being reviewed. Mr. Bozza was authorized to have the two meters replaced.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Mr. Penn reported that DEP had approved the remedial plan so that site work can begin. The delay has pushed the build-out back about 12-15 months. He reviewed the plan for the development of the property, including tentative plans for a satellite facility for Norwalk Hospital of about 50,000-80,000 square feet of space. The plans for the railroad station, YMCA and parking garage are being reviewed prior to sending them on the Planning & Zoning Commissions.
DISCUSSION OF GEORGETOWN SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT & OPEN INVOICES FOR SERVICES RELATIVE TO THE NEW TREATMENT FACILITY
Mr. Regan reported he, Mr. Shaban, Mr. Penn and Mr. Harris met to review and resolve the open invoices for construction oversight authorized by the Redding WPCC. Many of the invoices have been paid by the WPCC, but not re-imbursed by the Georgetown Special Taxing District per Construction Agreement. In addition, Mr. Regan has additional invoice yet to be reviewed and paid, and will meet with Mr. Bozza for the review.
Mr. Regan reported that GLDC does not agree with the amounts of the invoices. A budget for construction oversight by Veolia was not discussed or agreed on by WPCC & GLDC at the start of the project. GLDC has agreed to mediation for settlement of the issue. Commission members were in agreement that Veolia needs to be paid for the services rendered.
REFERRALS/CHANGES IN USE
4 OLD MILL ROAD, NEW CONSTRUCTION: Michael Greenberg, owner of the property at 4 Old Mill Road, was present along with Peter Romano from Land Tech Consultants. The new proposal if for a medical facility for Danbury Hospital with approximately 6,968 square feet of space in a two-story building. The estimated flow per the CT Department of Health, Table 4.0 for Medical offices & examination and services rooms is 0.2 GPD, or a total of 1,394 GPD. The primary services will be outpatient and geriatric rehabilitation and therapy.
Motion: move that the WPCC approve the request for a new 6,968 sq. foot, 2-story building at 4 Old Mill Road, for medical office, with an estimated 1,394 GPD of water to the wastewater treatment facility, as presented, and further that if there is any change in use in the future, the applicant will return to the WPCC for review, and that the WPCC reserves the right to revisit the water usage based on actual usage no sooner than two years after completion. Shaban, Regan. Approved. Unanimous.
REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STATUS
Financial documents were not available for review. Mr. Hutvagner provided, via email, balance in the usage and assessment accounts: Usage account, $33,515.64; Assessment account $140,793.79
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:00 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
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