WPCA August 13, 2002 Minutes
Water Pollution Control Facility 400 Main Street
Lower Level Conference Room
The following WPCA members were present:
Joseph Lauria, Max Caldwell, Gary Zawacki, Ron Hill, Kevin Briody
Other Attendees:
| State Representative John Frey |
|
| OMI: |
Carey Strout, Jeff Sanford, and Jerry McMackin. |
| Route 7/Phase III: |
George Bakes, Matt Ranelli |
| 25 Catoonah St: |
Lenard Engineering, Pat Venus |
| 632 Danbury Rd. |
George Mulvaney, Mr. Gregory |
NOTE: The meeting was conducted largely in the absence of electricalpower inasmuch as CL&P was experiencing a service interruption resultingfrom the extremely hot and humid weather. Power was restored at about 9:10PM.
1) Approval of Minutes
As a result of the "no electricity"situation and the fading daylight, Mr. Lauria suggested that the reading andapproval of the minutes be postponed in the interest of expediting the meeting.There was unanimous agreement and the approval of minutes was postponed untilthe September meeting.
2) New Business
a) Middle School/High School Force Main and PumpStation
An abbreviated verbal report was presented by Mr.Lauria based on his discussion with Mr. Jon Pearson, P.E., Project Manager forMetcalf & Eddy (M&E) Engineers.
- The sections of pipe that had previously not passed the pressure testrequired by contract have been addressed and remedied. Mark IV Construction hasperformed the necessary repairs.
- The new pumping station has been successfully tested and is capable ofreceiving the tie-in from the high school's old septic system. This willfacilitate O&G's work on the high school expansion project.
- The project is now in the "punch list" phase, that is, M&Ehas identified a number of items that must be addressed by Mark IV Constructionprior to final and complete acceptance of the work, but the project isfunctional, can convey wastewater to the South Street plant and is availablefor use by the new middle school well in advance of occupancy of theschool.
b) Phase III - George Bakes
Atty. Matt Ranelli presented additional data compiled by Milone and MacBroom(engineers for the project) concerning wastewater generation in age-restrictedcondominium developments. This was requested by the WPCA at its July 2002meeting. The data further confirmed that an age-restricted dwelling consumesless water (hence, generates less wastewater) than a conventional single-familyhome with no age restriction.
WPCA members expressed concern that the age-restricted nature of thefacility could be "broken" in the future. Atty. Ranelli indicatedthat the age-restricted feature was recorded as a deed restriction on the landrecords and that this would be identified by any title company involved in aproperty titles search. Rep. Frey offered that the age restricted legislationis quite strong in Connecticut and also offered that the lack of child-friendlyamenities, like play grounds and swing sets, make age-restricted communitiesunattractive to 55-and-over adults with children.
Citing the examples provided by Milone and MacBroom, Mr. Lauria suggestedthat the most conservative values were used by the Newtown (CT) WPCA in itsadoption of a 190 gallon per day figure for a similar use. Using the RidgefieldWPCA's "standard" of 350 gallons per day for a single family homeequals 1.0 use units, 190 gallons per day would be equivalent to 190/350 or0.55 use units.
Mr. Caldwell pointed out the risk in creating a new use category from boththe administrative and physical perspectives, as the Route 7 wastewatertreatment plant is currently over allocated on paper, although not yet atcapacity. His concern was that by narrowly singling out this one project forspecial treatment, the Authority is providing significant additional benefit toa project that has already received substantial benefit from the Town, isdenying similar users a reduction resulting in inconsistent treatment of likedischargers, and is increasing the financial risk of the Route 7 users byadding to the current over allotment while reducing the financial contributionof the new class of user.
A motion was made by Mr. Hill as follows:
"Motion to create a new category of use for age-restricted by deed,55-and-over, primary residence, maximum of two bedroom dwellings and assign0.55 standard use units per dwelling."
The motion was seconded by Mr. Zawacki.
Significant discussion followed.
Mr. Briody indicated that he was uncomfortable supporting this motionwithout the construction a flow equalization tank to receive and store flowfrom the project so that it could be metered out to the Route 7 facility overtime. Moreover, Mr. Caldwell indicated that this should be a condition ofapproval and constructed at the time of site work for the project, not allowedto be "optional" at some point in the future. In addition, Mr. Briodyindicated that a master potable water flow meter would be desirable so that wecould monitor the total volume of water used by the project instead ofindividual dwellings.
There was general agreement by the WPCA that the points raised by Mr. Briodyand Mr. Caldwell were both important and necessary for this specific project,but should not affect the creation of a new age restricted housingcategory.
A re-statement of the motion made above was made by Mr. Hill to create theage-restricted housing category, with a project specific requirement for thedesign, construction and operation of a flow equalization tank and a totalproject water flow meter. This was seconded by Mr. Zawacki and passed by a voteof 4 in favor, 1 opposed.
Accordingly, Town agencies including P&Z, the Town Engineer and buildingofficials will be notified of the special conditions of the WPCA's approvalof this specific project so that design, construction and operation of theequalization and water meter facilities is assured.
c) Men's Spa - 626 Danbury Road
Mr. Mulvaney and Mr. Gergory were in attendance for 626 Danbury Road. Mr.Gregory described the use and indicated that his building plan was beingrevised to show the elimination of the cognac bar and café. The facilitywill include 6 barber chairs, 1 wash sink, an individual steam shower, regularshower and cigar bar.
Mr. Gregory was advised to re-submit a final drawing that showed the varioususes of the interior space as being considered by P&Z. On the basis of thedrawing (in effect, a "site plan") the WPCA Administrator couldapprove the application provided that the use did not exceed the 350 gallon perday (1.0 use unit) allocation assigned to 626 Danbury Road. If it appeared thatthe 1.0 use unit allocation would be exceeded, Mr. Gregory would have to returnto the WPCA.
Although not on the agenda, Mr. Mulvaney brought up the subject of hisallocation for both 626 and 632 Danbury Road. He acknowledged requesting areduction in use units, but stated he was not aware that a request forreduction meant that he would be giving it up forever. The WPCA indicated thata response to this issue was being prepared and that he would be provided witha letter after the WPCA Administrator's return form a technical seminar inNew York City.
d) 25 Catoonah Street
Representatives of Lenard Engineering and the project owner (Mr. Venus)described the remediation of the old Texaco Station at 25 Catoonah Street.Connecticut DEP has granted a general permit for this activity, however,written approval was never given by the WPCA for connection and discharge ofthe treated groundwater to the collection system. Mr. Lauria expresseddissatisfaction that Lenard had started this activity without written approvalfrom the WPCA and that the activity had occurred with no proof of permit in thephysical possession of site personal. Lenard Engineering is now requestingpermission to discharge the contents of the fractionation tank (about 21,000gallons) plus an additional quantity of groundwater yet to be treated.
The WPCA agreed to accept this discharge of treated groundwater for a fee of$4.00 per 1,000 gallons discharged based on meter readings on the equipmentprovided by Lenard. The total discharge is expected to be in the 50,000 gallonrange.
e) Planning & Zoning Site Plan Approvals byWPCA
Discussion of this item tabled due to no electricity.
f) WPCA Approval of 2002-2003 New User Rates
Based on the budget analysis reviewed by the WPCA, new rates were adoptedfor 2002 -2003:
| Tipping Fee for Septic: |
$55 for a standard domestic load |
| South Street Area: |
$320/yr |
| Route 7: |
$375/yr |
| Turner Hill: |
$260/yr |
The WPCA thanked Mr. Caldwell for his diligence in assembling thedocumentation to support the rate adjustment and budget.
g) FY2002 Budget
The budget was discussed and adopted with a South Street funds balance of$1.25 million, reduced from $1.3 million through the discussion process. Therevised adopted budget is contained in a spreadsheet to be finalized anddistributed by Mr. Caldwell.
h) Grease Trap Ordinance
Discussion on the grease ordinance was deferred until the September meeting.This meeting will be attended by the Chief Sanitarian, Ed Briggs. Mr. Briggsand WPCA Administrator Van Ness were in attendance at a technical seminar onthe management of fats, oil and grease sponsored by the USEPA/Water EnvironmentFederation at the time of our August 2002 WPCA meeting.
i) OMI Report
The OMI monthly report on operations was distributed but not discussed asthe result of the power failure.
3) Adjournment
a) Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Hill at 9:50p.m., seconded by Mr. Zawacki. Passed unanimously.
Respectively submitted,
Joseph A. Lauria