| WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY MINUTES |
For minutes prior to January 2004, please
contact Judy Archer of Public Works
at 203-854-7791 or jarcher@norwalkct.org
February 12, 2007
ATTENDANCE: John Atkin, Chairman
Jim McInerney, Vice Chairman
Richard A. Moccia, Mayor
Frederika Bikakis-Hajian
Fred Wilms
Bill Krummel
Tony Doumlele
Beatrice Ruiz
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. PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SEWER CONNECTION FEES FOR INCREASED SYSTEM
BURDEN TO BE EFFECTIVE MARCH 01, 2007
Chairman Atkin opened the Public Hearing at 5:30 P.M. No one from the public spoke. Chairman Atkin closed the Public Hearing at 5:45 P.M.
2. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Atkin called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M.
Mr. Alvord arrived at 5:40 P.M.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM WPCA MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 8, 2007
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
4. APPROVE SEWER CONNECTION FEES TO BE EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2007
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Ms. Bikakis-Hajian arrived at 5:40 P.M.
5. AUTHORIZE THE CHAIRMAN OR VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH OMI, INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AT THE WWTP FOR A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $ 57,000 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LETTER PROPOSAL DATED FEBRUARY 7, 2007
Mr. Kolb explained that during the 1999 upgrade air conditioning units were not added to the return activated sludge building and the secondary lift pump control room. He said that Malcolm Pirnie came in last year to evaluate those two locations and said that there is a problem and a need for air conditioning. Mr. Kolb said that OMI requested quotes from eleven vendors and only received two back. He said along with the air conditioning units there is also a need for bollards to protect the equipment at one of the locations. Chairman Atkin asked for clarification that the amount was $57,000. Mr. Kolb said that is the correct amount. Mr. McInerney asked if the bollards were going to be concrete. Mr. Kolb said that they would be concrete with steel casings. Mr. McInerney suggested looking into telephone poles.
** MS. RUIZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
6. FINANCE DIRECTOR REPORT
a. YTD Revenues/Expenditures Report (MUNIS report included)
No discussion.
b. Revised FY 07-08 Operating Budget (backup included)
Ms. Bardon said she would hold a financial model workshop before next month’s
meeting. She said that in April there would be a Public Hearing on the proposed
sewer use rate. She said she included a revised copy of the operating budget
based on the comments from last month’s meeting. Mr. McInerney asked about the
2006 nitrogen credits to be received in FY 2007/08. He thought the numbers would
have gone down because of the lowering of the limit made by the State of Connecticut.
Ms. Bardon explained that the credit went up $1.20 from last year. She also
said that the numbers hit the operating budget a year behind because of the
way the program works and that it is timing issue.
** CHAIRMAN ATKIN RECOMMENDED JUMPING TO ITEM 9 ON THE AGENDA
** MS. RUIZ MOVED THE ITEM
** MAYOR MOCCIA SAID HE WILL RECUSE HIMSELF OF ANY
DISCUSSION OCCURRING DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE
LITIGATION CLAIMS
** EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS CALLED AT 6:40 P.M.
** THE BOARD EXITED EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:05 P.M.
10. APPROVE THE WESTPORT AVENUE SANITARY SEWER SERVICE AREA INCREASED CAPACITY
DEFERMENT PER MEMORANDUM DATED DECEMBER 15, 2006 AND ADOPT THE FOLLOWING APPEALS
PROCESS
a. Any applicant wishing to appeal to the WPCA board of directors shall do so in writing within 21 days after denial notification. The WPCA will investigate the appeal and send its decision to the applicant in writing within 5 days after its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting following receipt of the request.
b. Any person aggrieved by any final decision of the WPCA may appeal to the superior court and shall bring any such appeal to a return day of said court not less that 12 or more than 30 days after service thereof. The judgment of the court shall be final.
Mr. McInerney amended the motion to allow change in use projects (existing space converted to another use only) an exemption if the project satisfy two conditions - (1) no change in existing water meter size, and (2) a full water conservation audit is conducted and implemented. These conditions would have to be outlined in the application submission for the WPCA and the Director to consider the application.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ON THE AMENDMENT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY ON THE FULL MOTION INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT
7. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT
a. Collection System Issues - General:
1) Westport Avenue Sewershed Issues/ 6 Gwendolyn Update
Ms. Bardon said there would be a bid package sent out in the next few weeks
for the sanitary sewer rehabilitation program for this area. She said the repair
cost would be about 1.5 million dollars. She said a transfer from fund balance
to cover the cost would be required.
b. Information Copies: Capital Financing Article
1) Request for Qualifications- Low Level Nitrogen
Ms. Bardon said there is a request for qualification out now for the low-level
nitrogen project. She said that the proposals are due on February 28, 2007,
and in March a selection panel would be put together to review.
2) Industrial Pretreatment Program Survey Letter
No discussion
3) 2006 annual compliance certification form
Mr. Kolb said that the general permit to limit the potential to emit is an annual
compliance form that is submitted to the State.
4) 2006 CSO Monitoring Report
Mr. Kolb said that the CSO Monitoring report is also an annual report that is
submitted to the State.
8. CONTRACT OPERATIONS REPORT
a. Public Works Director Report
1) Contract Operations Status
No discussion.
b. OMI Report
1) Monthly Operating Report – November 2006 (copy included)
Mr. Dahl reported that there were no performance guarantee issues in December.
He said there was a regulatory inspection performed on December 11, 2006, from
the Interstate of Environmental Commission and they took samples of the influent,
which came back within the limits.
2) Collection System and Pump Station MRR Accounts (copy included)
No Discussion.
11. APPROVE THE FATS, OILS AND GREASE PROGRAM POLICY DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2007 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT GENERAL PERMIT FOR THE DISCHAGE OF WASTEWATER ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD PREPARATION ESTABLISHMENTS
Mr. Kolb explained that for all class three and four food preparation establishments the DEP has established a general permit effective September 30, 2005. He said the role of the municipality is to implement a program that ensures that the food establishment to comply with the regulations. Ms. Bardon said that if this is not enforced the City would be fined and be put under a notice of violation by the State. Mr. Alvord said he is in full support of the State’s program. Mr. Kolb said the fats, oils, and grease policy included in this package includes the compliance requirements from the DEP’ General Permit. In addition, the policy requires all class three and four food establishment to install an outdoor, in-ground grease trap interceptor which is to be 1,000 gallon or greater. In extreme circumstances an AGRU might be allowed due to site restrictions. He said that in about a week all class three and four food establishments would be notified that a survey would be conducted at their establishment. Mr. McInerney asked if an AGRU is equal to the grease trap. Mr. Alvord said that it is not and the preference is the 1,000 gallon grease trap because it is more effective. He said the AGRU would be accepted only if there is no property to install the grease trap.
** MR. WILMS MOVED THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
12. ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED HEREIN.
No discussion
13. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. BIKAKIS-HAJIAN MOVED TO ADJOURN
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The Meeting adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Dilene Byrd