Minutes
Present: T. Eubanks, J. Fisher, J. Miller, D. Pattee, R. Regan.
Also present. Burke & Bernardini (Veolia)
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 February 17, 2015 meeting be accepted as amended. Miller, Regan. Approved. 4-0-1. Mr. Eubanks abstained.
Amendment: page 1, under Veolia Report, first A representative of Layne (membrane system vendor) visited the plant and observed the operation of the membrane system. Mr. Oatley requested that he provide a trip report on the visit.
REPORT FROM VEOLIA WATER
The monthly written report was reviewed.
Mr. Burke indicated that there continues to be a problem with “wipes” and “blue rubber gloves” entering the system. Both create problems and require more frequent cleaning of the membranes.
The collection line from Meadow Ridge has a macerator as part of the system and should grind materials. This system may result in the presence of the shredded blue rubber gloves. The screener is capturing a most of the gloves and glove fragments. Mr. Miller suggested the Meadow Ridge management be alerted to the problem.
Pump station: the pump station was pumped and Mr. Bernardini noted that here was a heavy grease presence, about 1-1 ½ foot of grease. In addition, there were rags, wipes and gloves present. The rags are likely the “disposable” & “flushable” wipes that should not be disposed of in the toilet.
Mr. Burke is looking at eliminating the use of methanol, and using sugar instead. Methanol is now used on a limited basis, but there are safety concerns. It also may be more cost effective to use sugar. The Barlow High School plant is currently using sugar.
Layne Report: Michael Busch, Water Treatment Specialists for Layne, provided a written report on his visit and observations of the plant and operation on January 27, 2016. The report indicated the membranes are operating as expected. The membranes are seeing a minimal build-up of hairs, FOG’s , sludge or stringy items. The only problematic items appear to be latex gloves and rags, likely from the local managed health care facility. The report addressed cleaning schedule and procedures.
Screen replacement: the Purchase Order was issued the end of February. Mr. Burke will follow up with the vendor.
FINANCIAL STATUS AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
The available balance in the Usage account as of March15, 2016 is $45,343.78. The next quarterly billing will be the first of April.
Open invoices were reviewed.
- Aquarion monthly, $145.40
- Eversource (CL&P), 3,023.66
- Frontier, $196.51
- Transcanada, $4,695.40
- Deluca Hardware, $28.83
- Deluca Hardware, $21.66
- Deluca Hardware, $49.74
- Little Blue, snow plowing, $1,340.00
- Redding Town Clerk, $50.00
- W.B. Mason, office supplies, $77.62
- Veolia monthly services for February 2016, $26,850.50
- Veolia reimbursables for January, $6,301.38, subject to review by Mr. Regan
Motion: move to approve payment of invoices listed above, subject to review of Reimbursables by Mr. Regan. Regan, Eubanks. Approved. Unanimous.
- Invoices not approved: Veolia monthly invoice for March, 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 $1,908,943.36
Request for funding: Mr. Regan will request a second transfer of $60,000 from the Town.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
The Planning Commission has not yet appointed a representative to the WPCC.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Miller, Pattee. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm
Submitted by Mary Maday