REGULAR MEETING   Tuesday, OCTOBER 28th, 2008

EAST LYME WATER & SEWER COMMISSION

MINUTES

The East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the East Lyme Town Hall, 108 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic CT. Chairman Formica called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

PRESENT:                 Paul Formica, Chairman, Dave Zoller, Steve DiGiovanna, Roger Spencer, Dave Bond, Dave Murphy

ALSO PRESENT:       Attorney Edward O'Connell, Town Counsel

                                 Brad Kargl, Municipal Utility Engineer

                                 Michael Giannattasio, Director of Public Works

ABSENT:                   Mary Cahill, Joe Mingo

1.       Call to Order

Chairman Formica called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2.       Approval of Minutes

à    Public Hearing I Minutes – September 23, 2008

Mr. Formica called for discussion or any corrections to the Public Hearing I Minutes of September 23, 2008.

**MOTION (1)

Mr. DiGiovanna moved to approve the Public Hearing I Minutes of September 23, 2008 of the Water & Sewer Commission as presented.

Mr. Spencer seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

à    Regular Meeting Minutes – September 23, 2008

Mr. Formica called for discussion or any corrections to the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 23, 2008.

**MOTION (2)

Mr. Zoller moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 23, 2008 of the Water & Sewer Commission as presented.

Mr. DiGiovanna seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

3.       Delegations

Mr. Formica called for anyone who wished to speak under delegations.

Tom Sullivan, residing off of Bush Hill Drive said that he has lived here since 1992 and apologized for not having come to a meeting sooner. He said that he came this evening regarding the water quality and that he wanted to dispel the rumor of benzene being in the water and the history of it, in the area where he lives. He said that he has read the informational paper that they sent out regarding the water quality.

Mr. Kargl said that at least since 2005 when he came here that he has not heard of any history of benzene being in the water.

Mr. Sullivan asked what about before that time?

Mr. Kargl said that perhaps Well 1 may have had something however a filter was put on it many years ago and since then Well 1 has been taken off-line.

Mr. Sullivan said that he heard years ago that benzene leaked from the Industrial Park. He said that they flush the lines and asked if they were doing that because there is something there.

Mr. Kargl said that they flush the hydrants regularly all over the Town as part of a routine maintenance program of the water system.

Mr. Sullivan said asked if they would say that the water is safe for human consumption as it does not say that in those words in the pamphlet that they sent out.

Mr. Kargl said that the report indicates that they have met all state and federal drinking water standards and that means one and the same as ‘safe for human consumption’.

Mr. Sullivan said that he would like to see the words ‘safe for human consumption’ in the next report.

4.       Approval of Bills

There were none.

5.       Water and Sewer Bill Adjustment Requests

There were none.

6.       Bridebrook Pump Station – Consider Wet well Improvements

Mr. Kargl recapped that in 2003 and 2004 there was a considerable amount of money spent on improvements to the Bridebrook Pump Station and that now there needs to be some wet well improvements. He noted that they were aware that they have had a pump down and that this does not lend itself to easy routine maintenance. His suggestion is that this is an item for the long-term capital plan.

Mr. Bond asked if Point O’ Woods and the increased flow from that would affect this.

Mr. Kargl said that he would not see it as making it any more serious of a problem than it already is.

Mr. DiGiovanna asked Mr. Kargl at what point he thought that they would be looking at replacement of that station.

Mr. Kargl said that it looks like they spent a considerable amount of money on it in 2004 and that it is a high use station with the DOC and Rocky Neck in that area. He said that he was not sure that they would be replacing it.

Mr. Formica suggested that they put together a proposal on this and that they also see where they are with funding from the DEP.

7.       Waterford Evergreen Pump Station Upgrade – East Lyme Costs

Mr. Kargl said that they had been provided with a copy of this itemized billing in their packets and that it is for the East Lyme portion of the improvements to the Evergreen Pump Station.

Mr. Murphy and Mr. DiGiovanna asked about this station and if Mr. Kargl has seen it.

Mr. Kargl said that they have been offered a tour of it and that he has not seen it. He said that he would encourage setting up a tour and that he would be happy to email them when it is set up and let them know so that they can attend.

Mr. DiGiovanna asked who draws the line on what maintenance costs are and where/how they are shared. He said that in looking at the listing and the $880,402.72 billing that, at a minimum an audit should be done on the ‘maintenance v. capital improvements costs’.  

Mr. Kargl said that some of the items are things that they might want to look into and get more information on. He noted that in reviewing the finances and their ability to pay that they expected to be able to work out some sort of payment schedule as these costs have been accumulating over time as the upgrade has been done over a number of years (since 2004).

Mr. Giannattasio said that he would call Waterford on the items such as ‘skim grease’ that they want more information on and that they would also meet with their staff as they have just received this and wanted the Commission to be aware of it. He explained that they are obligated under their agreement with Waterford to pay for this and that it comes out of the capital fund as a capital improvement to the system as this is how their sewage gets to the New London plant. What they will need to work out is how to make these payments and what the amounts will be.

Mr. Murphy said that it has been a five year improvement project and asked if they knew that this was going on.

Mr. Giannattasio said that they have known about it although not from the project inception. They did not have the opportunity to ask questions from the start and they did not have the project costs from the start.

Mr. Murphy asked when they were brought up to date on this project.

Mr. Giannattasio and Mr. Kargl said that they were aware of it in 2005-2006 when the project was well underway and that they were surprised that they had no say, however; they are not sure if the agreement actually specified that and will check it carefully.

Mr. Bond said that this is to pay to have our sewage pass through Waterford to New London and that numerous listings for CL&P appear in the thousands of dollars here and that is an expense and not a capital improvement. He questioned the listing of consumables which would not be considered capital items.

Mr. Zoller asked that they be provided with a breakdown on the CL&P charges as they seem rather high to be considered a ‘portion’ of the charges and they are only supposed to be paying a ‘portion’.

Mr. DiGiovanna asked about the Point O’ Woods agreement and if it was written like this one.

Attorney O’Connell said no, they are billed as a customer just like others and not in the manner of this agreement.

Mr. Giannattasio and Mr. Kargl said that they would work on this and come back with more information as this was just a ‘first look’ for them.

8.       Committee Report – Chlorination Conceptual Design Report and Emergency Interconnection Feasibility Study (Mr. Mingo, Mr. Murphy & Mr. Bond)

Mr. Kargl reported that they held two committee meetings and that they took the conceptual design report of Maguire and the regional study and created a new summary from them. He noted that some of Maguire’s recommendations were not used and that the subcommittee listed some of their own recommended alternatives. He synopsized the report and noted that the chlorination and caustic potash recommendations fall within an estimated cost of $991,000 to $1.1M. Other findings and potential related costs as well as recommendations were synopsized along with some information from a DEP website on MTBE dated July 2000 which was researched by Ms. Russell. Mr. Kargl asked the Commission if they feel that they are on the right track regarding projects and if they could go meet with the Dept. of Public Health on this and get their input and then work from there.

**MOTION (3)

Mr. Murphy moved to direct staff to proceed along with the scope of the ‘System-wide Chlorine Disinfection & related Water Treatment Improvements (Recommended Alternatives) dated October 22, 2008 and revised as of October 28, 2008.

Mr. Bond seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 - 0.  Motion passed.

9.       Pettini Contracting Proposal – Well 3B Abandoned Sewer Line Removal

Mr. Kargl said that he has an estimate of $8500 from Pettini to remove 100’ of abandoned sewer line – 50’ from either side of the well. He said that they had discussed this at the last meeting and noted that S.B. Church is waiting on this. This figure also includes some grading and site work.

Mr. DiGiovanna asked how deep the pipe is.

Mr. Kargl said that it is 84” and added that they had opened the first manhole that was completely constructed of brick and that the construction was quite remarkable and something to see.

**MOTION (4)

Mr. DiGiovanna moved to approve the Pettini Contracting Proposal in the amount of $8500.00 for the removal of the (Well 3B) abandoned sewer line (100’).

Mr. Zoller seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

10.   McDonald’s Restaurant – Consider Use of Plastic Pipe for 2-in Water Service Connection

Mr. Kargl noted that they had a letter from CLA Engineers in their packets requesting that they consider allowing them to use polyethylene pipe for the new McDonald’s Restaurant water service connection. He said that he had a sample of the piping and passed it around for the Commissioners to see. He said that he would like to allow them to use it as long as they put it 5’ deep and put a tracer wire on it as it is a lot better than copper pipe. He noted that they are coming out with some materials that are a lot better than they were years ago when their regulations were written regarding the use of plastic pipe.

Mr. Bond stated that he knew first hand that this piping is a good product and that it does not break down or fatigue, it does not split, it will not freeze and it does not conduct electricity.

Mr. Kargl said that it would be run from the curb stop to the McDonald’s building and will be traced and placed at a depth of 5’. The use of this would require that they waive their regulations in this instance.

**MOTION (5)

Mr. DiGiovanna moved that the East Lyme Water and Sewer Commission regulations requiring that a meter pit be installed with the use of plastic water pipe be waived for 15-19 Chesterfield Road provided that the water service pipe meets the specifications outlined in the submittal by CLA Engineers, is buried to a minimum depth of five feet and includes a tracer wire for location purposes.

Mr. Murphy seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

11.   Communications

à         See Correspondence Log

There was no discussion.

12.   Chairman’s Report

Mr. Formica reported that he had a letter that was sent to him with some comments from a resident of South Pine Street and that he would pass it around for them to see and would get a copy to Attorney O’Connell. He noted that Planning has revised their draft of the Stormwater Regulations and held a public hearing on them and that they hope to have them ratified as they are coming to the end of the moratorium period. The Hole in the Wall paving is going on this week. The State DPH Memorandum of Understanding regarding the July 21, 2008 use of the wells is still out there and they will have a meeting on this in the near future. Mr. Weiner from New London has been contacted and they should be getting some numbers soon. He lastly thanked Ms. Russell for her help with the MTBE information.

13.   Staff Updates

a.   Conservation Measures

Mr. Formica that he sent this topic to the Natural Resources Committee and that they are working on it.

b.   O & M Building Renovation

Mr. Formica reported that they have received the insurance payment and that they are changing over to gas heating and cooling and are looking to make this more efficient.

Mr. Giannattasio said that they are looking to have this finished before the winter sets in so that staff can move back into their own place. For the time being they are not going to add office space upstairs although it is still an option for a later time.

c.   Point O’ Woods Sewer Connection

Mr. Kargl reported that they started construction on this a few weeks ago.

d.   Pine Grove Sewer Extension Project

Mr. Kargl said that they are getting ready to pave here.

e.  Orchard’s Subdivision

Mr. Kargl reported that they have finished the punch list on Phase 3 and Phase 5A.

f.   Boston Post Road Tank Painting Project

Mr. Kargl reported that this project is complete and this item can be removed from the agenda.

g.   Crossley Court Sewer Extension

Mr. Kargl said that this is in the bid phase.

h.   Saunders Point Sewer Extension

Mr. Kargl said that this project is in the feasibility study phase.

i.    Darrow Pond Project

Mr. Formica said that there has been some activity on this in terms of discussion with them.

j.   Camp Rell Readiness Center

Mr. Formica said that he met with Commander Cody regarding the opportunities that are going on at Camp Rell and that they discussed some items that could possibly help move the community forward.

k.  Maguire Group Monthly Status Report

There was no discussion.

l.   Water Department Monthly Report

Mr. Kargl noted that the 14.7% reduction in water usage was not only considerable but that they had not seen that low of a usage figure for many years. Conservation measures have helped a great deal.

m.   Sewer Department Monthly Report

There was no discussion.

n.  Regionalization Issues  

This was previously discussed.

o.   Rates/Capital Improvement Plan

There was no discussion.

p.   Tri-Town Wastewater Capacity

Mr. Kargl reported that New London is having discussions with the DEP and that the DEP thinks that they might not need to go out to have a full-blown study. The Tri-Town subcommittee (NL, Waterford & EL) will need to meet to discuss this further.

q.   Other

There was none.

14.   New Business

There was none.

15.   ADJOURNMENT

**MOTION (6)

Mr. Murphy moved to adjourn the October 28, 2008 Regular Meeting of the East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission at 8:35 PM.

Mr. DiGiovanna seconded the motion.

Vote:  6 – 0 – 0.  Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Zmitruk,

Recording Secretary

(Note: Mr. Giannattasio joined the meeting at 8:15 PM)