Minutes
Present: A. Atamian, J. Bacon, D. Pattee, R. Regan, J. Miller
Also present. Burke (Veolia), K. Stauffer and P. Moisio
Mr. Regan called the meeting to order at 7:33 pm in the Hearing Room of the Town Office Building.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion: move that the minutes of the December 16, 2015 meeting be accepted as amended. Bacon, Pattee. Approved. 4-0-1.
Amendment: page 2, under Meadow Ridge, correct name is Michelle Bettigole
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
A written report was submitted. Mr. Burke provided an overview of the written monthly report, adding that the membranes were performing well. He stated that an additional person will be on staff shortly. In the meantime, Veolia staff members from other plants are providing assistance as needed.
Mr. Burke noted that on December 17, 2015, when performing a regular sampling of influent, he noted an unusual brownish color and smell of cleaning products. The assumption was that someone had used a cleaner with a high PH. This was a one time event.
A communication issue arose when the control to the effluent control failed. Upon investigation, it was found to be a spiced cable wiring problem.
DISCUSSION OF GREASE TRAP PUMPING RECEIPTS
Ms. Stauffer reported she had received pumping receipts from most of the restaurants. She will check with the owner of Rancho Alegre regarding the agreement he is attempting to strike with several of the restaurants to work together on the pumping.
Ms. Stauffer was asked to check with Health Officer Hartline regarding the installation of a grease trap for Uncle Leo’s restaurant.
DISCUSSION OF DRUM SCREEN REPLACEMENT
The Board of Selectmen has recommended to the Board of Finance, the approval of the WPCC request for up to $35,000 for the replacement of the drum screen. The next Board of Finance meeting is Monday, January 25, 2016. Mr. Regan, along with other WPCC members, will be present for the meeting.
FINANCIAL STATUS AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
The available balance in the Usage account as of January 20, 2016 is $54,196.76. The quarterly billing went out the first of January, and only about $10,000 has been received to date.
Open invoices were reviewed.
- Aquarion monthly, $167.21
- Aquarion meter readings, $65.79
- CBYD, annual fee, $64.80
- Eversource (CL&P), $2,512.94
- Frontier, $196.51
- Transcanada, $4,177.09
- Deluca Hardware, $131.19
- Mary Maday, Oct,Nov,Dec, $270
- Veolia Meter Readings, $451.19
- Veolia monthly services for December 2015, $27,058.92
- Veolia reimbursables for November $67,669.75, subject to review by Mr. Regan
Motion: move to approve payment of invoices listed above, subject to review of Reimbursables by Mr. Regan. Bacon, Miller. Approved. Unanimous.
- Invoices not approved: Veolia monthly invoice for January, 2016, $26,850.50.
- There was a transfer of $60,000 from the Town in September, the first transfer of the fiscal year. The total allocation in the 2014-15 budget is $249,850.
- The total now due from GSTD is $1,857,841.36
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2016-17 BUDGET
Mr. Regan reviewed the updated budget that was presented to the Board of Selectmen at the January 8, 2016 budget workshop. He noted the adjustments that were made. The estimated budget deficit for next year is $252,450.
Motion: move that the WPCC approve the operating budget for fiscal year 2016-17, with a deficit of $252,450, as reviewed. Pattee, Bacon. Approved. Unanimous.
CBYD CONTRACT WITH REGARD TO MEADOW RIDGE AGREEMENT
The agreement with Meadow Ridge regarding the Call before You Dig mark out services has been signed by all parties. A copy of the agreement was provided to Commission members.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Regan had a request from the Town Clerk for use of the Hearing Room on February 17, 2016, the date of the next regular meeting. The group making the request would also like to have all meetings for the remainder of the year on the third Wednesday in the Hearing Room. Discussion followed. While the commission members were agreeable to an occasional meeting in the smaller conference room, the preference was to keep the regular meetings on the third Wednesday in the Hearing Room. Mr. Regan will convey the information to the Town Clerk.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGE OF USE, 20 PORTLAND AVENUE
The Zoning Commission approved a change of use for 20 Portland Avenue in their December meeting. A change of use requires review by the WPCC for the number of occupants and potential water usage. Ms. Stauffer will check further on how the property is occupied.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Miller, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm
Submitted by Mary Maday