RECEIVED NOVEMBER 23, 2009 @ 9:30 A.M.
Kerry Miserendino, Redding Asst. Town Clerk
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION
MEETING
November 18, 2009
Present: J. Shaban, D. Pattee, D. Robinson, P. Moisio, T. Flagg, R. Regan
Also present: A. Nosal, R. Gervais (Veolia Water), R. Gibbons (GLDC) and five others
Mr. Shaban called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the October 21, 2009 meeting be accepted as submitted. Pattee, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
Mr. Gervais provided a written monthly report and reviewed the contents with the Commission.
1. Pressure sensor on train two was replaced. This may be a warranty item.
2. Fire Department: conducted a walk-through training session at the plant.
3. Chemical reduction program: Mr. Gervais reported the use of methanol and caustic has been reduced. He continues with testing to assure the reductions are appropriate. This should result in a savings in operations. Mr. Gervais is hopeful he can also reduce the alum usage.
4. Composite manhole covers (6) are being installed, at Veolia cost. The current manhole covers are difficult to remove for inspection and cleanout.
Septage issue: an estimate of $105,000 was received from a vendor to make the necessary adjustments to the plant to be able to accept septage from outside sources. The estimate did not include roadway work that would also be needed. The income stream from accepting outside sources has not yet been determined. Commission members were concerned about a number of factors, especially the generation of odors and noise, and the monitoring of trucks bringing in septage.
Conversion of the plant to SBR: Mr. Shaban is waiting for further information from Mr. Kiani on this issue. Commission members were concerned that this is a backward step and eventually, the current set up will be needed.
Mr. Shaban summarized the options available at this time:
1. Raise usage rates
2. Accept septage from outside sources
3. Convert plant back to SBR system
4. Town funding to assist with operational costs
Discussion followed.
UPDATE ON GEORGETOWN PROJECT
Attorney Gibbons reported the Georgetown Special Taxing District is planning to issue tax anticipation notes. That decision was made about six weeks ago, but the transaction has not been closed due to internal contractual negotiations that are ongoing. When this is finalized the GSTD will determine what portion of the outstanding invoices to the WPCC can be paid. He indicated GLDC is trying to recapitalize the entire project and he is hopeful the project will move forward.
Mr. Gibbons will follow up on the list of warranty issues sent to Mr. Lynch and the status of “as builts”. Ms. Nosal will also check in storage and with the Redding Building Department to determine if the “as builts” were ever received.
Mr. Shaban will ask Town Attorney Lavelle to work with Mr. Gibbons on the finalization of the transfer of ownership of the plant to the Town of Redding.
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move to add to the agenda a discussion of Sewer Assessments. Shaban, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION OF SEWER ASSESSMENTS
Mr. Shaban reviewed the recent determination that the Sewer Assessment Fund was sufficient to pay off the loan for the construction of the initial plant. The payments made by property owners to their Assessment Account has been analyzed and reconciled. Some property owners have paid in full, most have not. It has been determined that the payment of assessment should reach 59.286%, a level that makes payment for each property owner fair. Those property owners who have paid greater than 59.286% will receive a refund; those who have not reached that level will continue to make payments until they reach the level. The net result for the property owners is a 40% reduction in their individual assessment fee.
Several property owners from the Redding Woods development were present with questions regarding the assessment process. Michael Fletcher thanked Mr. Shaban for the explanation and for the chart prepared by Ms. Nosal listing each property, the original assessment and the percent paid.
STATUS OF OPEN INVOICE RE REDDING WOODS
Mr. Shaban has discussed the issue further with Mr. Kiani of Veolia in an attempt to waive the fee for the repair oversight(upcharge) for the repair, but has not had a response. The repair was handled and paid for by Redding Woods Association. Mr. Fletcher (Redding Woods resident) assured the Commission that Veolia was not represented during the repair work.
Motion: move that the WPCC dismiss the charge for the upcharge from Veolia to Redding Woods. Moisio, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
UPDATE ON WPCC REGULATIONS
This item was tabled.
FINANCIAL STATUS
The financial documentation was reviewed. Currently the cash balance in the WPCC account is $46,832.99, and there are outstanding invoices totaling $122,348.45.
Motion: move that the WPCC authorizes payment of the following invoices:
Hocon Gas Inc., dated 11/17/09, $355.58
DeLuca’s Hardware, dated 10/31/09, $72.79
CL&P, dated 11/4/09, $2,047.88
AT&T, dated 11/9/09, $329.91
TransCanada, dated 11/06/09, $4,471.08
LeBlanc Communications, dated 10/28/09, $459.00
Pullman & Comley LLC, dated 11/05/09, for $120.00
Motion by Shaban, seconded by Moisio. Approved Unanimous.
Before approving Veolia invoices, the Commission discussed the Veolia monthly charge in light of the reduced staffing at the plant since September. Mr. Shaban will discuss this issue with Mr. Kiani. The October monthly invoice was not approved, pending outcome of Mr. Shaban’s discussions.
The invoice for July Reimbursable costs continues to be tabled, primarily because of the large ticket item that is a warranty issue and was discussed earlier in the meeting with Mr. Gibbons.
The Commission authorized payment of the following invoice that was approved at the October meeting pending review. That review has been completed and the invoice can be processed for payment.
Motion: move that the WPCC authorizes payment of Veolia invoice 7013381 for August 2009 Reimbursables, $13,082.15, subject to completion of review by Mr. Regan. Moisio, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
Motion: move that the WPCC authorizes payment of Veolia invoice 7013535 for September 2009 Reimbursables, $6,833.72, subject to completion of review by Mr. Regan. Moisio, Robinson. Approved. Unanimous.
Given the financial situation, the WPCC determined the best course of action was to appear before the Board of Finance to request assistance. The Town’s agreement with GLDC also requires that any additional operating costs beyond those associated with the former plant be paid for by GLDC, and not by the current district users. At present, these “delta payments” are set at $18,800 per month. GLDC has failed to make its delta payment for over 8 months in the same fashion as it has failed to pay taxes to the Town. GLDC is presently $121,246.70 in arrears, and its debt grows by $18,800 each month.
The failure by GLDC to make the delta payments to the WPCC has caused WPCC to become legally insolvent. While we have been and are pursuing numerous alternatives to cut costs and raise revenue, the available alternatives are technically and temporally problematic.
A request will be made to be on the Board of Finance meeting agenda for November 23, 2009
ADJOURNMENT: The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:34 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
| 
