For minutes prior to January 2004, please contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org

January 8, 2007

ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chairman
Jim McInerney, Vice Chairman
Richard A. Moccia, Mayor
Frederika Bikakis-Hajian
Fred Wilms
Bill Krummel
Tony Doumlele

STAFF: Hal Alvord, DPW Public Works Director
Lisa Bardon, DPW Operations Manager
Ralph Kolb, Wastewater Systems Manager
Tom Hamilton, Finance Director

OTHERS: Kevin Dahl, CH2M Hill OMI
Greg Higgins, CH2M Hill OMI

1. CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chairman Jim McInerney called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Mayor Moccia arrived at 5:45 p.m.

2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON
NOVEMBER 13, 2006.

The following correction was noted on the minutes from the November 13, 2006 meeting:

Page 4 - Item 7 - Mr. McInerney noted that the Mayor said "he would recuse himself because Mr. Orenstein worked for the Corporation Council on a part-time basis."

** MS. BIKAKAS MOVED THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED WITH THREE ABSTENTIONS (WILMS, KRUMMEL, DOUMLELE)

3. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON
DECEMBER 16, 2006

** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENSION (BIKAKIS-HAJIAN)


4. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AUGUST 14, 2006 AGREEMENT WITH CONTESTOGNA-ROVERS & ASSOCIATES TO EXTEND THE DATE OF COMPLETION TO TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE AGREEMENT

Mr. Kolb explained that the contract was not sent out to Contestogna-Rovers until October 2006 due to insurance reasons. Mr. Krummel requested that in the future there be backup provided for items of this nature. Mr. McInerney noted that after the words completion of work the item should state the removal of underground storage tanks.

** MR. WILMS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM WITH THE ADDITION OF MR. MCINERNEY’S COMMENTS:

AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AUGUST 14, 2006 AGREEMENT WITH CONTESTOGNA-ROVERS & ASSOCIATES TO EXTEND THE DATE OF COMPLETION OF THE REMOVAL OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS TO TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE AGREEMENT

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY


5. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT

a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report (MUNIS report included)
Mr. Hamilton stated that the sewer use fee now reflects on the MUNIS report.

Mr. Doumlele requested a better explanation of the MUNIS report. Ms. Bardon suggested that he use the projected actual spreadsheet that is provided in the board package, which is easier to understand than the MUNIS report. Mr. Hamilton said that his office would provide a quarterly narrative report if the board found if useful.

b. Proposed FY 07-08 Operating/Capital Budget
Mr. McInerney suggested that Ms. Bardon go through the budget. Ms. Bardon stated there is an anticipated fund balance transfer of 1 million dollars for the Westport Avenue pump station service area project.

Mr. Wilms asked what is the anticipated sewer use fee increase. Ms. Bardon said 5%.

Ms. Bardon said that a Junior Engineer position is being requested because of all the new State requirements. Mr. Wilms asked if the position would be taken out of DPW. Ms. Bardon said it would not be. Mr. McInerney asked if there would be any other costs associated with the new position. Ms. Bardon said that there would not be. Ms. Biakakis-Hajian asked why the benefits seem so high. Ms. Bardon said that the new position would be a Local 2405 position and the benefits are 48% of the salary.

Mr. McInerney questioned the CPI number used to calculate OMI’s annual increase. He said that instead of it being a 3.5% increase it's really 8%. Ms. Bardon explained the number is not only for CPI but also for nitrogen credits and load shedding. Ms. Bardon said there seems to be an error in the calculations and would investigate.

Mr. Wilms requested that there be backup documentation provided for the new position.

Mayor Moccia asked if it still would be necessary to raise the individual sewer use fees once the sewer connection fee is implemented. Ms. Bardon said for this year not knowing what the numbers will be that she could not accurately answer the question at this time. Mayor Moccia requested that this be looked into before automatically increasing the individual sewer use fees.

Ms. Bardon offered to hold a financial model session for new board members before a future Board meeting.

Chairman John Atkin arrived at 6:30 p.m.

c. 2005-06 Audit Report (copy included)
No Discussion.

6. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT

a. Discussion on Connection Fees
Connection fees to be discussed during item 8 on the agenda.

b. Westport Avenue Sewershed Issues/ 6 Gwendolyn Update (see attached deferment notification memorandum and sewer shed map)
Ms. Bardon explained that Pepperidge Farm developers and other businesses in the Westport Avenue sewershed cannot discharge additional flow into the sanitary sewer system when capacity is already an issue in this area. Mr. Alvord said he could not guarantee anything in writing to Pepperidge Farm developers at this time but is confident they will get their certificate of occupancy when they are ready. Mr. McInerney asked when construction would be completed. Ms. Bardon said in about two years.

c. Information Copies: Capital Financing Article
No Discussion.

7. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT

a. Public Works Director Report
Mr. Kolb stated that WPCA staff, OMI and Malcolm Pirnie held a meeting in December to discuss Amendment No. 3. Mr. Kolb said that staff would present Amendment No. 3 to the Board within the next few months.

b. OMI Report
1) Monthly Operating Report – November 2006 (copy included)
No Discussion
2) Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts (copy included)
No Discussion

8. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEWER USE CONNECTION FEES ON FEBRUARY 12, 2007 AT 5:30 P.M.

Ms. Bardon explained how the sewer use connection fee of $3,260 was calculated. Mr. Wilms asked if a new homeowner would have to pay this fee. Mr. Alvord explained only a new homeowner that was not already connected to the sewer would have to pay this fee. Mr. Wilms found this number to be high. Ms. Bardon reiterated the fee was calculated based on an accepted method. Mr. Atkin said that there is a rational for this number and that is the reason for going to a public hearing. The Mayor said he thought this was a reasonable fee and that he is in full support of the connection fees.

Mayor left at 6:50 P.M.

** MR. MCINERNEY MOVED TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEWER USE CONNECTION FEES ON FEBRUARY 12, 2007 AT 5:30 P.M.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

9. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN

None.

10. ADJOURNMEMT

** MS. BIKAKIAS-HAJIAN MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dilene Byrd

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