RECEIVED AUGUST 24, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Michele R. Grande, Redding Town Clerk
3 pages
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
MEETING
August 19, 2009
Present: J. Shaban (8:05 pm), D. Pattee, D. Robinson, P. Moisio
Also present: A. Nosal, R. Gervais (Veolia Water), R. Stoeppel(RRSMgt)
David Pattee began the meeting at 8:00 pm in the Hearing Room of the Town Office Building. A quorum was not present until 8:05 pm when Mr. Shaban arrived. The meeting began with a verbal report from Mr. Gervais of Veolia Water.
Mr. Shaban arrived at 8:05 pm and the meeting was officially called to order
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the July 15, 2009 meeting be accepted as submitted. Pattee, Moisio. Approved. Unanimous.
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
Mr. Gervais provided a written monthly report and reviewed the contents with the Commission.
1. Average flow was 53,800 gal/day.
2. Odor control canister at the pump station: installation of the new canister was completed.
3. Sensor on Tank One: loss of power on July 4, Introl was called to troubleshot
4. Pressure on Train Two on July 8, required assistance by Endress Hauser. Endress Hauser did sensor recalibration, unable to provide reason for failure (computer issues)
5. Aquatic Toxicity testing completed, plant passed on all tests
6. Sampler: fault , found the line plugged with grit & rags, cleared plug and replaced fuse.
7. Computer issues with auto feed chemicals, operated system over weekend of August 1-2 manually. Issues resolved and system now back on line.
8. Blower 230, failed over weekend of August 15-16, troubleshooting is ongoing and the problem may be related to electrical control. The system is indicating an overload.
9. Methanol, 1077 gallons, at $3.41/gallon, purchased for the plant.
Mr. Shaban reported he discussed the current financial situation with Farzin Kiani of Veolia Water. As a result of that conversation, Mr. Kiani agreed to reduce the administrative fees for the Reimbursables from 15% to 10%.
Mrs. Moisio reported on her discussion with a Zenon plant manager at a location in the Midwest. His plant experienced similar problems to the Georgetown plant, construction of a large facility with the planned project not going forward. He was able to reduce operating costs substantially and manually operate the plant. Mrs. Moisio recommended that Mr. Gervais contact the individual and discuss the situation. Since the Georgetown plant will be operating with a much lower than planned flow for a number of years, operating costs need to be reduced as much as possible and all avenues of cost saving need to be explored.
OPEN INVOICE FOR REDDING WOODS
Richard Stoeppel of RRS Management, the Redding Woods property manager, was present. The outstanding invoice of $850 is for the Veolia oversight (15%) for the repair to the collection system pipe on the road leading from the project to the highway. Mr. Stoeppel noted that he was present when the repair was made by Pembroke Pumping, and the invoice for the repair was paid directly by Redding Woods Association. He questioned why the 15% oversight charge was being assessed. Commission members believed that the plant operator was called out for the pipe collapse issue and facilitated the repair. Mr. Shaban will discuss the issue further with Mr. Kiani of Veolia in an attempt to negotiate or dismiss the fee as most of the repair oversight and payment of invoice was performed by Mr.
Stoeppel.
DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT EXPANSION
Colin J. Clark of Land-Tech Consultants, Inc. contacted the WPCC on behalf of his client at 40 Highland Avenue regarding of potential sewer connection. The owner of the large parcel of land, located south of the Redding Woods property and west of the Meadow Ridge Life Care facility, would like to develop the property. The property is not suited for septic field installation and he would like to hook into the Georgetown sewer system.
Commission members discussed the concept, expressed concern about the potential “expansion” and limited plant capacity. There was no representative of Land-Tech or the property owner present to discuss the topic. Further discussion was tabled.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN PROJECT
1. GLDC received approval from the CT DOT for Phase I of traffic control which includes the installation of signalization work at the intersections of Route 107 & Portland Avenue/Main Street and Route 107 and Route 57. This work will be funded through a federal grant and the Town of Redding will manage the project. The project will go out to bid soon.
2. Notice of Lien Rights: this notice was filed on July 20, 2009. Mr. Shaban has been in contact with GLDC’s attorney regarding further action and proceeding with a formal request for the additional $100,000 security specified in the Construction Agreement.
3. Representatives of GLDC/GSTD will be requested to attend the next WPCC meeting.
FINANCIAL STATUS
1. Plant operation costs: The cost of operating the plant was reviewed. Commission members were in agreement that the operating costs need to be reduced by 50% as the plant is operating at less than 50% capacity. Discussion included requesting a change in permit with the DEP, lowering the permit level, which may reduce the requirements of manpower operation at the plant.
2. Repair/Warranty issues: a list of repairs related to warranty/construction issues was prepared by Veolia. There was agreement that these cost should be passed on to GLDC/GSTD and/or their construction firm. Mr. Shaban will forward the information to GLDC/GSTD.
3. Invoices:
Motion: move that the WPCC authorize payment of the following invoices:
Pullman & Comley, #227904 for $260.00
AT&T, for July, $333.35
Deluca Hardware, for July, $140.45
TransCanada, #240588, for $4,975.86
CL&P, July 10, 2009 for $2,234.69
CL&P, August 7, 2009 for $2,024.70
Veolia, #7013088, monthly fee, for $24,475.30
Motion by Shaban, seconded by Robinson. Unanimously approved.
The invoice from Veolia for July Reimbursables, $33,455.77, was not approved. Mr. Regan will need to review the invoice. Commission members expressed concern about the amount, Mr. Gervais did not have detailed information on why the fee was high. Some of the amount may be from repair/warranty work completed but not previously invoiced.
Monthly charge to GLDC/GSTD: discussion of the compensation/delta payment from GLDC/GSTD was not previously adjusted for fiscal 2009-2010. The operating expense of the plant was discussed, along with the lack of progress on the GLDC project. Commission members agreed that the GLDC/GSTD delta payment be adjusted for fiscal 2009-2010.
Motion: move that the Redding WPCC approve, subject to any further discussion between the Redding WPCC and GLDC/GSTD, an increase in the “delta” payments for fiscal 2009-2010 to $18,800. Shaban, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE ON WPCC REGULATIONS
This item was tabled.
ADJOURNMENT: The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:55 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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