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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
April 2, 2008
Present: R. Regan, P. Moisio, D. Pattee, D. Robinson, J. Shaban, D. Stroetzel
Also present: T. Bozza & F Kiani (Veolia Water), Hoey (Tighe & Bond), Penn (GLDC/GSTD) and seven others.
Media: Redding Pilot
Mr. Shaban called the regular meeting to order at 7:37 pm in the Hearing Room of the Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: That the Water Pollution Control Commission accept the minutes of March 5, 2008 as submitted Stroetzel, Pattee. Approved. 4-0-2. Pattee and Moisio abstained.
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
Mr. Bozza provided his monthly written report.
• Bioreactor: the second bioreactor was tested last week and put into operation. Bioreactor #1 has been mothballed until deemed necessary for use by the flow rate.
• Flow Control valve failure: a failure in the main flow value was addressed. The plant operation had be be closed down for a period while Zenon corrected the problem. The valve was cleaned & rotated, a by-pass was also installed.
• Other operational issues are being addressed by Zenon & Veolia, including an issue with the suction and permeate pumps.
• Performance testing: this testing has been performed by Veolia, over a 4-day period, beginning at 4 am. Typically the plant contractor, by contract, arranges for the testing to be done.
• DEP permit: the plant continues to operate under the old permit. DEP has delayed the new permit to allow for a revisit of the phosphorus issue.
Construction progress: the contractor, Nickerson, is nearing completion of their work, with a punchlist being prepared. Mr. Bozza noted that he has a list of items yet to be addressed by the contractor, including safety items, splitter tank, and general cleanliness of the site. He expressed a concern that these items would not be addressed in a timely manner. The WPCC requested that Mr. Bozza submit his list of items to be addressed, in writing, to GLDC as soon as possible, with a copy to Mr. Shaban. Mr. Hoey (Tighe & Bond) noted that it is in the best interest of all that all items be addressed and completed. He is confident that the “state of the art” plant will become a showcase for Zenon and GLDC. Nickerson will remove the construction trailer to allow for other
work on the site to begin, but they will still be “on the job”. Mr. Kiani (Veolia) noted that it is imperative that all parties come to agreement on the punchlist items to be completed.
Mr. Bozza noted that recently the contractor, Nickerson, allowed material pumped from the influent well to be dumped into the Main Street pumping station with out notification of Veolia. The result of the pumping was damage to the pumps, with time and money spent cleaning the pumping station. Mr. Hoey and Mr. Penn were not aware that this occurred. Mr. Pattee, speaking for the WPCC, reminded all that Veolia is responsible for the plant and all work being one needs to be approved by Veolia.
Bennett Fletcher, Georgetown resident: asked why the plant was emitting odor at various times and was the odor related to the problem just discussed.
Steve Robinson, Woods Way Road: asked if the WPCC had a plan or program for maintenance of the system. Mr. Shaban responded that there is a plan.
Water meter issues: Mr. Bozza reported an increase in the number of calls/issues that he is dealing with related to water and meters. A number of residents have contacted him for questions on broken meters, replacement meters, billing questions, etc. He asked that these types of “customer service” calls be directed elsewhere. The Commission members discussed the fact that the Town does not have a designate person on staff to oversee such issues. Mrs. Moisio has a part-time person in the Tax Collector office assigned to the WPCC invoice/billing task. She is willing to handle customer service calls, but her time spent on WPCC issues has increased dramatically. Mrs. Moisio suggested that the Commission could establish a flat rate per household/business at would eliminate a great
deal of work/calculation for the office and perhaps solve some of the customer problems. Following a long discussion, the Commission established a subcommittee of Mrs. Moisio and Mr. Stroetzel to explore the options to solve the problem. They will report back to the Commission at the next meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION WOODS WAY ASSOCIATION
Steve Robinson, Treasurer of Woods Way Association, along with Michael Fletcher (Woods Way resident), and Rich Stoeppel (Woods Way manager), were present. Mr. Robinson asked that the topic of fees, taxes & liens be addressed. Mr. Pattee recapped the history of the project and the manner in which property assessments and charges were assigned.
The Woods Way sewer line (a private line connecting the homes on the hill to the pump station) collapsed recently. All repairs to the line have been completed. The Woods Way Association intends to have a camera study of the entire line to assure that further damage will not occur.
The WPCC received a copy of a letter from Health Officer Doug Hartline recommending that the sewer collection line serving Woods Way be video camera inspected to determine if there are any other areas of concern.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENT
Motion: move that the agenda be adjusted to address item #5(Meadow Ridge) & #7 (58-60 Redding Road) next. Moisio, Regan. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE FROM MEADOW RIDGE FACILITY
Mr. Walton of Meadow Ridge provide written documentation form Aquarion Water Company that the water meters are changed and tested every four years as required by the Department of Public Utility Control regulations. He also provided a drawing indicating the location and function of a previously unidentified meter, a meter that is placed after the main line meter. Meter readings, taken by Mr. Muccino, for the period of December 27, 2007 thru January 27, 2008 and from January 27, 2008 thru February 28, 2008 were provided. The gallonage per day during those periods ranges from 33, 617 to 34,624 gpd.
Mr. Bozza has reported flows from the Meadow Ridge are more in the 40,000-44,000 gpd range based on readings at the plant. At the last meeting, the suggestion was made to look at the integrity of the collection line from Meadow Ridge to the plant. A camera study of the line may indicate infiltration of the system. Mr. Walton was in agreement on the importance of the camera study, and willing to pay up to $250 for such a study. Mr. Pattee noted that this was discussed months ago and asked why action had not been taken. Mr. Kiani (Veolia) noted that spring is the ideal time for a camera study and he will prepare a proposal and schedule, with a resolution by the next meeting.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSAL: 58-60 REDDING ROAD
Elio Cavicchia, owner of 58-60 Redding Road, is planning a family-style restaurant for the property. He plans to equip the facility with all “low-flow” fixtures and equipment. The WPCC asked Mr. Cavicchia to bring in his engineers estimates on water usage for the facility, along with building plans and specifications of the project for review. Mr. Cavicchia’s proposal will be on the agenda for the May meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bennett Fletcher: commented on the need for a “point person” for the WPCC, someone to take questions and complaints. Commission members discussed the need, suggested the Health Department could be a contact for issues regarding water. Mrs. Moisio noted that there is an individual in her Department to handle all the billing issues, but not the customer service-type questions and complaints.
Mr. Bennett also complained about the lights at the plant. He questioned by the existing lights were allowed instead of zero cut-off type lighting. Mr. Hoey(Tighe & Bond) will follow up to determine if the specified lighting fixtures were installed.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT &
DISCUSSION OF GEORGETOWN SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT & OPEN INVOICES FOR SERVICES RELATIVE TO THE NEW TREATMENT FACILITY
Mr. Shaban reported that a meeting was scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2008 with the WMC mediator.
Mr. Shaban suggested a meeting between GSTD and a subcommittee of the WPCC be scheduled to review the invoices and back up material to determine what costs GSTD is responsible for. A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 10:00 am in the Redding Town Office Building. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Regan will attend.
Mr. Shaban stated that the next step is to get accurate numbers on operation costs to determine the delta between what the WPCC is responsible for and what GSTD is responsible for. Mr. Penn (GSTD) noted that the GSTD by-laws and purchasing regulations include the need to see all invoices and timesheets prior to approval of expenditures. Mr. Shaban noted that going forward, the WPCC will pay the Veolia for their two monthly invoices, one for operation and management, the other for “out of contract” costs. The WPCC will then invoice GSTD for their portion of the costs.
Mr. Penn provided an update on activity at the site. The roadway work will begin next, with North Main Street and Station Way, then moving on to Bennett Street and Miller Street. Vertical development is being sold off to a third party. Development below Route 107, including the parking garage, train station and YMCA is 100% conceptually designed, with applications going to the various commissions in May.
UPDATE ON GREASE TRAP ISSUES
Mr. Shaban reported the letter, as revised, will go out on 4/3/08 to all business owners with a grease trap on their property.
REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REPORTS AND INVOICE APPROVAL
The financial report was reviewed.
Open invoices were reviewed and approved for payment.
Motion: move that the WPCC approve the following invoices for payment:
Transcanada, Inv. #156519 for $10,878.38
CL&P, for $1,756.80
Aquarion, for meter reading, $38.27.
Motion by Pattee, seconded by Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
Veolia invoices were discussed and the commission was in agreement to make the following payment.
Motion: move that the WPCC approve the following invoice for payment to Veolia
#7010041, for invoices totaling $42,380.87 ($1,166.49 + 17,745.88 + 23,468.50), with the intent to address the remaining contract charged for 2007.
Motion by Robinson, seconded by Stroetzel. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the WPCC approve the Veolia invoice #7010204 for re-imbursable expenses as adjusted, $7,952.26. Robinson, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:45 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
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