RECEIVED JUNE 22, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
4 pages
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 17, 2009
Present: J. Shaban, D. Pattee, R. Regan, D. Robinson, P. Moisio, T. Flagg(7:50 pm)
Also present: A. Nosal, R. Gervais (Veolia Water), and four members of the public.
Chairman Shaban called the meeting to order at 7:39 pm in the office at the Georgetown Treatment Plant.
DISCUSSION OF TELEPHONE/INTERNET SYSTEM AT PLANT
Mr. Shaban asked that the discussion of the telephone/internet service at the plant be the first item on the agenda to allow Michael LeBlanc of LeBlanc Communications to make a presentation. Mr. LeBlanc reviewed his report/recommendations based on his initial visit at the plant. Commission members and Mr. Gervais participated in the discussion, centered on reducing the cost of the telephone/internet service. In addition to a potential of reducing the DSL lines from 2 to 1, Mr. LeBlanc would check telephone/internet wiring to assure everything is secure as it should be. In the future, all phone calls to Zenon Company should be made using their 888 #, a toll-free number.
Motion: Move that the WPCC accept the recommendations of LeBlanc Communications and authorize the work necessary to lower the monthly telephone/internet costs. Robinson, Moisio. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. LeBlanc left the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the May 20, 2009 meeting be accepted as submitted. Pattee, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
Mr. Gervais submitted his report for the month of May. Average flow was 44,000 gal/day. Mr. Gervais reviewed the work needed to replace the sensors in the tanks. The work involved removal of large quantities of liquid from the tanks and corresponding high cost for the trucks. The total cost for the work was not available.
- Traver transfer pump: 5/1/09, the pump failed, Traver removed the pump and found it to be burnt out. A new pump was installed. Traver also installed new starters and floats at the pump station.
- Methanol pump was replaced with hand powered pump. Previous replacement pump failed.
- Grease in wet well, 5/9/09, pumping required.
- Electric power: Mr. Gervais has contacted CL&P to do a power audit to determine if there are spikes or brown-outs that are causing equipment failure.
- Video of collection system: this was completed and a final report is expected for the next meeting. Nothing significant was shown. A blockage (“rag” type material) was found in the collection line running from Redding Woods, McVac was contacted to clear the blockage immediately. A copy of the video is available at Town Hall.
Warranty issues: Mr. Gervais had submitted the maintenance log of maintenance issues since May 2008. Mr. Shaban asked Mr. Gervais to review the maintenance log (hours) and determine which of them are warranty issues, and which are routine maintenance issues and distilled into a stand along report. In addition, the parts and material associated with the warranty issue repairs need to be identified and added to the report. Commission members expressed a concern about the number of repair issues considering that the equipment/plant is new.
RECESS
The meeting recessed briefly so members could tour the facility to review some of the problems. Mr. Ben Fletcher was present for the tour of the facility. The meeting recessed at 9:05 pm.
RECONVENE
The meeting reconvened at 9:23 pm.
Mr. Shaban summarized some of the issues and corrective measures suggested during the site walk.
- Odor control system: suggestion to alter the timing of the odor control system to minimize the noise.
- Splitter box, put negative pressure on the top of the splitter box, to help control odors.
- Sensor issues: some of the wiring may have been faulty or incorrectly installed causing wire degradation. This will require follow up with the contractor, Nickerson, and the engineers, Tighe & Bond.
- Baffle system: seems to be working well to minimize the noise.
REDDING WOODS, OPEN INVOICE
The open Veolia invoice for the problem in the collection line for Redding Woods is for the 15% charge that Veolia includes for work they authorize/oversee. Redding Woods has not paid that amount, $850, expressing some concerns about the validity of the charge and/or time associated with it. Following a telephone discussion with Mr. Shaban, a Redding Woods representative was asked to attend the meeting, but did not appear. Mr. Shaban will send Redding Woods another letter, indicating that as Veolia facilitated the repair, they are entitled to the fee.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Moisio reported that on Sunday, June 14, (Georgetown Day celebration) there were significant odors in the area of the pumping station. Mr. Gervais was asked to check the odor control canister at the pump station as it may be in need of replacement.
Grease Traps: Ms. Nosal sent out notification to the restaurants that grease pumping receipts are due soon. Health Officer Hartline submitted the results of his unannounced inspection of the grease traps on June 3, 2009. Three restaurants (Lumberyard, Rancho Alegre´ and Lombardi’s II) were in excess of 3” and should be pumped soon.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN LAND DEVELOPMENT
Steve Soler(GLDC) and Bill Penn(GSTD) were present for the discussion.
Mr. Shaban and Mr. Regan met with GLDC & GSTD to discuss matters related to:
1. Warranty issues
2. “Delta” payments for 08-09 fiscal year (representing the cost differential being paid by
GLDC/GSTD between Phase II operations and Phase III operations as called for in the
Construction Agreement.
3. “Delta” payments, going forward
4. The increasing arrearage on those “delta” payments
5. Tapping the security deposit/fund given to WPCC in connection with the Construction
Agreement
These issues and the contours of the June 16 meeting were discussed before the full Commission. The most pressing issue is the current status of GTSD/GLDC’s delta payments, currently behind $82,500. The WPCC presently holds a $50,000 passbook as security for the obligations under the Construction Agreement, and has the ability, per that contract, to request an additional $100,000 payment. The current monthly payment (08-09) is set at$13,700 by agreement of the parties. A reconciliation of the expenses to justify that number needs to be made.
Mr. Soler provided an update on the overall project. Soler reported that the project and related entities are out of fund. The delay, caused by the Connecticut DOT/STC concerning, the work to be done at the intersections of Rtes. 107 & 57 and Rtes 107 & Portland Avenue is both the cause of the project being in jeopardy and the most pressing issue. GLDC has asked permission to phase the work to enable the project to move forward. Mr. Soler indicated that a decision for approval/disapproval on the phasing plan is expected Friday, June 19, 2009. Funds have been identified for the work through HVECO and possibly a redirection of economic stimulus funds for Redding. With an approval, the sub-projects under contract could proceed with pulling building permits for the work which will in turn
generate cash flow for GLDC/GSTD. Should the CT DOT deny permission to proceed with a phased plan, the entire Project might fail.
Mr. Penn reviewed the financial status of the project. Both he and Mr. Soler agreed that the WPCC should use the $50,000 passbook as funds toward the $82,500 arrearage. He discussed other options that the GSTD is considering to keep the project viable, including the sale of tax liens and benefit assessment bonds.
Plant acceptance: the acceptance of the new plant and underlying real estate by the WPCC was discussed. The benefit of moving forward with the acceptance is to prevent any confusion concerning ownership of the plant should the project fail. The disadvantage of acceptance is that all of the noise and odor testing has not been completed (although all agreed that the plant is likely compliant under the terms of the Construction Agreement). An open (but small) environmental issue with the land (a small wedge of the parking lot that was not remediated) could be resolved legally, and remediated when the project/roadway work moves forward.
$50,000 Passbook Deposit
Motion: move that the Redding WPCC take steps to use the $50,000 held in a passbook account and apply it to the arrearage for reimbursement costs. Moisio. Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
Discussion followed regarding the additional $100,000 that could be requested. At this time, the WPCC will confirm that they have elected to take the $50,000 and credit the GSTD count, and remind GSTD that, under the terms of the contract, the WPCC will be moving forward with a request for the additional $100,000.
PLANT ACCEPTANCE
Motion: that the WPCC authorize the Chairman, John Shaban, to work with Attorney Michael Lavelle, to affect transfer of ownership of the Georgetown Wastewater Treatment plant and real estate, subject to discussion of possible carve out of a wedge of contaminated real estate. Shaban, Moisio. Approved. Unanimous.
Mr. Penn and Mr. Soler left the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: move that the WPCC meeting recess to executive session for a legal matter consultation. Shaban, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
Ms. Nosal was invited to be present.
The meeting recessed at 10:55 pm.
RECONVENE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in public session at 11:10 pm. No action was taken during the executive session.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Motion: move to approve the following invoices:
CL&P, 6/9/09, $2,083.59
AT&T, 6/9/09, $351.99
DeLuca’s Hardware, 5/31/09, $106.79
Veolia, Monthly Services for May, $24,475.30
Veolia, Reimbursables for May, subject to review by Mr. Regan, $6,975.62
Motion by Shaban, seconded by Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
CT DEP permit invoice, $1,597.50 was tabled to the next meeting.
Redding Police invoice for services rendered during video of collection system, $2,482.86 was also tabled pending further review and clarification.
Ms. Nosal added that additional invoices are expected prior to the end of the fiscal year, including Veolia June services and Reimbursables, CL&P for June, Transcanada for May & June, and Deluca’s Hardware.
ADJOURNMENT: The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
| 
