1997-01-21 Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
THE MATTABASSETT DISTRICT
The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of The Mattabassett District was
held Tuesday, January 21, 1997 at the Administration Building, Cromwell,
Connecticut. Present from the Town of Cromwell was Director Mary Konopka and
Doug Sienna. Present from the Town of Berlin were Directors Livio Dottor, Ed
Gentile, and Horace B. Van Dorn. Present from the City of New Britain were
Directors Dominic Badolato, Sebastian Cannamela, James Carey, Robert Scalise,
Dennis Taricani, and John Wright. Also present were John Batorski - Operations
Manager, Gary Simpson - Maintenance Supervisor, and Christian Bratina -
Executive Director.
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 pm by Chairman Dominic Badolato. Absent
was Director George Rothstein. A roll call was taken, a quorum was present.
Minutes of December 16, 1996
Mr. Van Dorn pointed out that the next meeting, reported as Monday, January 13th,
should have been listed as Tuesday, January 21st.
Mr. Rothstein arrived at 7:32 pm, delayed by a Board of Public Works meeting. Mr.
Carey moved, seconded by Mr. Taricani, and the following was adopted with Mr.
Sienna abstaining:
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the December 16, 1996 meeting be accepted
as amended.
Treasurer's Report
Mr. Bratina reviewed the Treasurer's Report. The expenditures are higher and the
revenues are lower this year than last year due to repairs to the FBI. The
expenditures should be slightly under budget at the end of the year. The revenue
should significantly exceed that budgeted.
Mrs. Konopka questioned the $60,029.76 spent under the Capital Non-Recurring
Fund. Mr. Bratina replied that it was for payments for the lighting retrofit work of
Anchor Electric and the incinerator repairs. Mrs. Konopka asked how we can
reconcile the bills for payment with the Treasurer's Report which is a month behind
and strongly objected to getting bills totaling $130,000 the evening of the Board
Meeting. Mrs. Konopka suggested the Finance Committee should reassess the way
we handle the Treasurer's Report. Mr. Van Dorn replied that as she noted, the dates
are different, and in the past we had paid bills 60 to 90 days late because we did not
act on them and in the meantime we were being charged interest for overdue bills.
Mrs. Konopka reported that she doesn't understand the system. Mr. Taricani noted
that he had difficulty following it also and suggested we approve all bills one month
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
at a time. Mr. Bratina concurred that it is confusing, most of the reports including
the Treasurer Report, the Statement of Earnings, and the Budget Statement are on a
calendar month basis. In this case December 1st through December 31st. They
include all of the bills that were actually paid in the calendar month of December
and all of the revenues that were actually received in the calendar month of
December. So everything there is on a strict calendar month. Whereas the Bills To
Be Authorized for Payment are the bills that we have received since the last Board
Meeting which was the third Monday of December. So they include two weeks of
December and three weeks of January. Thus we have five weeks worth of bills here
which are not reflected in the Treasurers Report because they have not yet been
paid. Mrs. Konopka clarified that the Bills To Be Authorized for Payment today will
appear in the reports in February. Mr. Bratina concurred. Mrs. Konopka asked why
the Budget Statement year-to-date was $71,724 for Sludge Disposal whereas on page
21 the total sludge disposal cost was $174,000, and the Bills To Be Authorized for
Payment listed only $36,000. Mr. Bratina clarified that the Budget Statement Sludge
Disposal of $71,724 is what we actually paid through December 31st. We had
actually incurred more obligations during that period of time, but we had not
received the invoices, and thus we had not paid them. The Monthly Report on Page
21 lists what we calculate as the total disposal cost for November and December,
which we haven't completely been invoiced for or paid. We have four bills in the
Bills To Be Authorized for Payment which will be included in the Budget Statement
next month, and we still have another bill from MDC which we are waiting for. The
bills that we are approving tonight would be those for the last two weeks of
December through today. If you add the Bills To Be Authorized for Payment, it will
then equal what we have in the Treasurer's Report for expenditures at the February
board meeting, because they will have been approved at the January meeting and we
will have sent out the checks. Mr. Bratina stated that he could put a note at the
bottom of the Bills To Be Authorized for Payment that the bills approved at this
meeting will be listed in the Treasurer's Report at the next meeting. Mr. Sienna
asked if we could add another column to the Budget Statement, to list the
incumbered expenses which would include the Bills To Be Authorized for Payment.
Mr. Bratina reported that our new software program can list the total encumbrances,
but this will include purchase orders for which the material and the bills have not
been received. This may take a month or so to set up. Or we could list the bills to
be paid, but it would not include the supplemental list. Mr. Van Dorn noted that you
cannot anticipate exact dollars and cents for bills which you have not yet received,
and the list has gotten very long because we keep pushing Mr. Bratina to get his
report out sooner and sooner. Now he has to get them out five days earlier than
usual. Mr. Bratina reported that when we sent the booklet out, we put the list of
bills together that prior Monday, roughly eight days before the Board Meeting. The
Supplemental List includes all of the bills received after that and any bills received
before that date that we had not checked. We need to be sure that our Bookkeeper
and I have checked the bills before we list them for payment. With the construction
work and with the sludge invoices, this takes a lot of time which sometimes delays a
bill to the Supplemental List. Mrs. Konopka noted it didn't make sense to her that
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
two people check the bills. Mr. Bratina reported that he is ultimately responsible
for the bills and so he double checks many of them. Particularly the complex bills
such as the sludge bills and construction bills. Mrs. Leeman will go through and
check that if we list six items, that we actually received six items, and that multiple
invoices add up to the original purchase order, which can take awhile. Chairman
Badolato noted that if we didn't have a listing of eighteen payments for mileage for
the Directors, the Supplemental List would be much shorter. Mr. Bratina noted that
the mileage would normally have been in the Bills To Be Authorized for Payment,
but when Mrs. Leeman checked it she found an error in the calculations which
delayed it. Mr. Bratina suggested that we have the Finance Committee review the
financial documentation with our accounting firm.
Mr. Van Dorn moved, seconded by Mr. Dottor, and the following was adopted with
Mrs. Konopka opposed:
RESOLVED: That the Treasurer's Report dated December 1, 1996 to
December 31, 1996 be accepted and placed on file for audit.
Mrs. Konopka moved, seconded by Mr. Sienna, and the following motion was
adopted:
RESOLVED: That we refer the booklet financial presentation to the Finance
Committee for their review and consideration.
Mr. Rothstein suggested that our accountant be consulted on this matter. Chairman
Badolato suggested that unless there is an objection, our accountant should be at the
meeting.
Budget Statement
Mr. Bratina reviewed the Budget Statement. The Overtime and Shift Differential are
around 60% due to the work we have done on the FBI. Uniforms are slightly over
budget because the safety toe shoe allowance was increased, which wasn't budgeted
for. The Fuel: Natural Gas and Fuel Oil is higher than we projected in part due to
the leak in the Primary Heat Exchanger. Gasoline and Diesel Fuel is high, because
we filled the diesel oil tank. Sludge Disposal is over budget due to the FBI repairs.
Ash Handling is over budget because we removed more ash than planned. Overall,
the total year-to-date is at 46% of what we had projected, so we are in good shape.
Mr. Gentile moved, seconded by Mr. Dottor, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Budget Statement be approved.
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
Bills To Be Authorized For Payment
Mr. Scalise asked if the Directors' mileage reimbursement was standard practice.
Mr. Bratina reported that we reimburse Directors for mileage to attend Board
Meetings and Committee Meetings. Mr. Van Dorn stated that we hope that people
attend meetings. Only one Director showed up for a Finance Committee meeting
last week. It would be nice if people would call if they know they can't attend.
Mrs. Konopka asked about the cost of the Monster Board advertisement. Mr.
Bratina reported that it is a popular internet job posting. We put the Staff Engineer
position on it and have had a lot of responses come in.
Mr. Dottor moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Operating Fund bills in the amount of $275,886.91 be
approved; That the Capital Non-Recurring Fund bills in the amount of
$13,789.93 be approved; and that Payroll in the amount of $119,551.45 for
the period December 14, 1996 through January 11, 1997 be approved.
Staff Reports
Mr. Bratina reported that the plant effluent quality was very good during December.
We did have to bypass over 27 million gallons of primary effluent around the
secondary due to the frequent rains which caused the plant influent to increase to 75
million gallons per day (MGD) on one occasion. In spite of this the effluent quality
was within permit the entire month. New Britain, Berlin, Cromwell, and
Middletown's peak flows and average flows for the month exceeded their
allocations. For the calendar year, the plant flow was 20.17 million gallons per day
which exceed capacity of 20 million gallons per day. New Britain's flow for 1996
was 13.77 MGD, exceeding its allocation of 12.6. Cromwell's flow was 2.07 MGD
exceeding its allocation of 2.0. Mr. Bratina has sent letters to the communities
advising them of the flows that we have received. There was one odor complaint for
the month.
Mr. Bratina reported that the Primary Heat Exchanger was completed by American
Schack and reinstalled on December 27, 1996. We are receiving and reviewing
proposals from American Schack and Thermal Transfer for a spare Primary Heat
Exchanger, and will be bringing a recommendation to the Engineering Committee in
February. We will be meeting with Mr. Vernenkar this Thursday to inspect the FBI
and to review the submittals. For November and December the total filter cake
disposal cost was $174,000 which equates to $257 per dry ton whereas our average
charge for the outside sludge is $305 per dry ton. So even though we were bringing
in sludges, dewatering it, and hauling it elsewhere for disposal, we were still making
a slight profit on it. Bob Larken of Alternative Resources, Inc. inspected the
Multiple Hearth Furnace to assist us in estimating the cost to rehabilitate it. We
have contacted several other engineering firms to develop proposals to review our
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
alternatives for a backup incinerator. We met with Startech Environmental and
reviewed the feasibility of their Plasma Waste Converter. Startech tested some of
our sludge and the results indicate that it may be a cost effective option. A Plasma
Waste Converter has never been built in the size that they are proposing, which
presents a scale up concern. Also, the cost effectiveness is based on recovering the
value of the Plasma converter gas which has to be determined.
Mr. Bratina reported that RH White began replacing the Aeration Tank air ducts and
should complete the work by the end of the month. We sent operating data on our
secondary performance to Sanitaire to determine our ability to denitrify. The
aeration tanks are designed to remove Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). DEP is
concerned about the nitrogen entering Long Island Sound and is planning on
requiring de-nitrification. Sanitaire's analysis indicates that we have enough room
here to fully denitrify, and we can provide moderate denitrification with the four
aeration tanks we currently have. It does not appear that we would use much more
electricity. Discussions with DEP reveal that the state is considering denitrification
credits. Instead of requiring every plant to remove a lot of nitrogen, lower limits
would be set and plants which remove more could sell the nitrogen credit to others.
The state has not made a decision on this concept, but this could present a revenue
opportunity to the District. Mrs. Konopka asked what we have to bring in to remove
the nitrogen. Mr. Bratina reported nothing, there is nitrogen in all of the sewage in
the form of ammonia and organic nitrogen. Currently all of the sewage entering our
plant has nitrogen, we would not take nitrogen or flow from another plant. For
example if we are required to remove 4,000 pounds per day from our sewage and we
actually remove 5,000 pounds, we can then sell that extra 1,000 pounds to another
treatment plant so that they would not have to remove it. Our effluent would
actually be cleaner. If this concept works, DEP may consider doing this for other
effluent quality parameters which could be very beneficial to the District. Mr. Van
Dorn pointed out that this concept is being used currently for industrial air
emissions.
Mrs. Konopka asked how much we subtracted from Cromwell's high flows during
the bypasses. Mr. Bratina explained that Cromwell has two flow meters that flood
when the water in our trunk sewer rises close to the top of the sewer pipe. This
causes the flow in the meter to back up and give a false high flow. Mr. Bratina
reported that he takes a look at the lines before and after the peak, draws a line
between, and subtracts the value of the false peak. This is as good an estimation as
possible. Mr. Taricani asked how likely the denitrification requirement was. Mr.
Bratina reported that he had spoken to Bill Hogan of DEP who had said it was
extremely likely that DEP would require denitrification of all treatment plants on
the Connecticut River, probably requiring all of them to remove 65% of the
nitrogen, and he felt fairly certain that they would go along with the credit system
because that would substantially reduce the construction costs. It could be six
months to a year before we hear anything. Mr. Bratina reported that in the western
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
part of the state, the wastewater treatment plants have had a denitrification
requirement for several years.
Mr. Taricani asked why someone would bring sludge here and pay more when they
could take it somewhere else. Mr. Bratina reported that the MDC charges a very low
amount for sludge cake and many facilities do not have the capability to dewater the
sludge. So we bring the sludge here, dewater it, and haul it to MDC. Also because
of the relationship we have established with MDC, we were able to get a lower price
than offered to other communities. Mr. Wright asked if we have a reciprocal
assistance agreement with them. Mr. Bratina reported that we don't, it is a
gentleman's arrangement between managers.
Mr. Bratina reported that we sent samples of sludge to three belt filter press
manufacturers for testing and we expect within a month to get the results. We
believe it will be economical to replace at least one of our belt presses with a unit
which can provide a dryer cake. We have added several thermocouples to the
Reactor so we can better understand the combustion process. Mr. Vernenkar will be
inspecting the operation this week. We again found water in our fuel oil storage
tank for the incinerator. We brought in a tank repair company who found and
corrected leaks in the fill pipe and level detector pipe. The performance of our staff
was very good during the FBI repairs. The contractors, Caldon and the rigging
company, were very cooperative and easy to work with.
The Laboratory completed testing of the Ash Disposal Site in Berlin and all of the
permit requirements were met. The lab received the results from the last Health
Department proficiency tests and the lab received a perfect score. This is one of the
few labs in the state which is certified by the state. Mr. Van Dorn asked if all the
wells are operating. Mr. Bratina reported that at the Ash Disposal Site there was
one well on Route 9 which was graded over when the road was recently repaved. It
is not very useful so we will make a formal request to DEP to delete it from our
sampling schedule. In December we tested 26 samples, or 30% of the liquid wastes,
for toxicity with the Microtox and none showed sign of toxicity. We also used the
Respirometer on 14 sludge samples (33%) and none showed signs of toxicity.
Mr. Van Dorn asked how we are operating now. Mr. Bratina reported that we are
now operating near our rated capacity of 1.4 dry tons per hour and the filter cake
sludge is around 25% total solids. We have a lot of sludge because a number of
incinerators in the area, Upper Blackstone, Fitchburg, and Naugatuck, are out of
service and NETCO was overloaded. One problem in Connecticut is that there is not
sufficient back up capacity, which is why we had to ship a lot of our sludge out to
Ohio. Mrs. Konopka asked if we would get money from the state to repair the oil
storage tank. Mr. Bratina reported that we would not, oil is not leaking out, water
was leaking in through two threaded joints. Mrs. Konopka asked about the gas
leaks. Mr. Bratina reported that Yankee Gas has a high pressure gas line coming
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
into the plant with several regulators to lower the pressure. These regulators, owned
and maintained by Yankee Gas, have had several leaks recently.
Mr. Rothstein moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following was
unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Staff Reports be accepted as presented.
Finance Committee
Mr. Bratina reported that we had provided the Board with the Finance Committee
report on the audit, along with a copy of it, at the December board meeting. Mr.
Cannamela reported that the Finance Committee had met with our accountant Chris
Wolf on December 10th to review the audit report for Fiscal Year 96 (July 1, 1995
through June 30, 1996). The revenue was $911,021 (23%) over budget, due to the
Sludge Management Program, and the expenditures were $236,126 (6%) below
budget, giving a fund surplus of $1,147,147 (29%). Mrs. Konopka stated that she
thought the surplus was too high and asked if we would be giving any money back to
the towns. Mr. Bratina reported that the Finance Committee discussed this with Mr.
Wolf, and will have to consider it towards the end of this fiscal year, transferring
the excess income to the Capital Non Recurring Fund and/or the towns.
Mr. Cannamela moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following was
unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Audit Report for Fiscal Year 1995-1996 be approved
as presented.
Chairman Badolato noted that the agenda lists the Standard License Agreement.
There has not been a final draft prepared for us so it will not be dealt with today.
We have before us Counsel's report on the fee question. It includes a number of
answers to questions raised on the TCI proposal. There is a proposal for a fee
agreement that would be uniformly applied that the committee has been discussing.
Mr. Gentile stated that he had previously reported to the Board that because he had a
possible conflict of interest on the TCI matter, that he would abstain from
participating. Since that meeting he has delved into the matter and determined with
advise of counsel that he has no conflict so he will be participating in the matter. In
addition, after receiving a letter from Mayor Ragazzi of the town of Berlin, he wrote
to attorney Weber with a legal question and he has not received a reply. The
extensive report from Attorney Weber opens up many serious questions. Without
Mr. Weber available, the discussion should be tabled until the next meeting.
Mr. Gentile moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To table any discussion of the TCI License Agreement and the
Standard License Agreement to the next meeting.
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
Engineering Committee
Mr. Scalise reported that the Engineering Committee had met on January 16th. Mr.
Bratina reported that we have had a problem with one of the main breakers not
closing all of the time. We had cleaned the corrosion and it failed again. Mr.
Simpson looked into the matter and determined that there are 13 breakers which
should be cleaned and adjusted. These are large, high voltage breakers, so it is not
the type of thing that is done in-house. We received one quote of $3,900 and
another for around $4,500. We are going to get a third quote, but we would like to
add it to the agenda tonight so we do not have to wait on this. At most it would cost
us $3,900 to have all of them done. The company does have spare breakers that they
can swap with ours so we do not have to be down for any period of time. Mr.
Gentile asked if there is a guideline for quotes. Mr. Bratina reported that we are
authorized to write purchase orders for up to $2,500. If it is more than that, then we
need to get at least three bids. Mr. Scalise asked if we have worked with the
company which has given us the quote. Mr. Simpson reported that ABB did the
switchgear modifications for us for the Load Shed program. They are local, they
have spare circuit breakers, and we have a comfort level with them.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mrs. Konopka, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To add authorization to service the circuit breakers to the
agenda.
Mr. Rothstein asked if this could have been handled as an emergency by the
Executive Director or Chairman. Mr. Bratina reported that if we had felt it was an
emergency and we would be waiting weeks, we would have brought it to the
Chairman to act upon it immediately.
Mr. Wright moved, seconded by Mr. Rothstein, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To authorize the Executive Director to contract for circuit
breaker service at a cost not to exceed $3,900.
Mr. Scalise reported that the Engineering Committee had discussed the Belt Filter
Presses and that samples have been sent out for testing to determine if it would be
cost effective to replace ours. Mr. Scalise asked at what additional cake dryness
new ones become cost effective. Mr. Bratina reported that preliminary testing from
one company indicates that the sludge cake should be 2% TS dryer. Once we
receive the data and pricing, we can calculate the cost savings and payback period.
A 1 to 2% TS increase in total solids will probably be cost effective. If it appears
cost effective, we will get a guarantee from the company before we procure a unit.
Once installed we would run it side by side with our existing units to validate the
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
claim. If it did not work, we would send the unit back or work out liquidated
damages.
Mr. Scalise reported that Mr. Bratina had received lists of FBI installations from
Dorr Oliver, Hankin, and Niro. We will look for a consultant or engineering firm to
do a study to see what is and what is not working. The committee also discussed a
spare heat exchanger and the options provided by the two major providers, American
Schack and Thermal Transfer. Mr. Bratina reported that American Schack is
proposing to provide what they have rebuilt in our existing unit. That is to say
using a higher temperature alloy for the upper tube sheet and the tube material. The
price would be $228,000. We had paid $236,000 for the unit we have now. Thermal
Transfer laid out four options. Since American Schack has not found any evidence
of chloride stress corrosion, Thermal Transfer felt very comfortable using a 310
stainless steel instead of the alloy 800H. They would provide a shorter unit because
they are not comfortable with tubes longer than 35 feet, which would provide less
heat. They would provide a two year warrantee if we had tubular expansion joints,
but only one year without because they do not have as much experience without
tubular expansion joints. They can also provide a higher temperature, more
corrosion resistant alloy 20. We will review the options with Mr. Vernenkar to see
which is the best and bring it back to the Engineering Committee. Mr. Scalise asked
that since the heat exchanger we have only lasted six months, should we wait some
length of time to see how the redesign is doing and can we test it three months from
now to see if it is showing any of the problems of the previous one. Mr. Bratina
reported that American Schack installed two thermocouples in the upper tube sheet
so we can monitor those temperatures. Hopefully, if we do have a problem, we will
see an increase in those temperatures. But we don't want to take a chance on
running it for six months, having a sudden failure, and then being down for two
months. We are still waiting for American Schack's metallurgist report which may
give us some more information. We also have to decide if we want to stay with
America Schack or prefer to use a different vendor. If the rebuilt heat exchanger
only lasts another six months, then we will not get our monies worth out of it. We
may be able to work out a payment plan with American Schack which would provide
a discount in case of failure. Initially, American Schack was going to propose
shorter tubes, however they now claim that they do not see a problem with the tube
length. We will review our options closely with Mr. Vernenkar and other heat
exchanger manufacturers. Mr. Wright asked if we had reviewed American Schack's
liability. Mr. Bratina replied that we are waiting for their metallurgist's report,
which we will have our metallurgist review.
Mr. Scalise reported that Mr. Bratina reviewed the problems we have had with the
FBI with the committee. Mr. Bratina reported that we are resolving a lot of the
problems, it is taking longer than we would like, and we are not happy with the
problems that we have had. We have received calls from other facilities who are
faced with similar problems, some in a shorter time frame than we are. We have
discussed doing a survey which is a good idea. There are endemic problems in
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FBI's, particularly with corrosion. The Engineering field has not recognized the
problems. John Mullen of Dorr Oliver will be inspecting our unit to discuss a
second incinerator. We need to review how they would provide us with a more
bullet proof unit. The corrosion we recognize as caused by the low steel
temperature. By maintaining the steel temperature high we should not see that
problem. The heat exchanger problems are believed to be in the specific heat
exchanger design. Every heat exchanger is different, you can not take the
experience from unit and transfer it to the other. All of the heat exchanger
manufacturers have units which have failed. Mr. Vernenkar was impressed with
Thermal Transfer's new fabricating shop because it should give them better control
over quality. Mr. Van Dorn asked if you increase the shell temperature does that
increase the temperature to the heat exchanger. Mr. Bratina reported that we are
only increasing the steel temperature from 140 to 300°F which doesn't increase the
internal temperature significantly. We are capturing some of the radiant heat from
the steel. We still maintain the same exhaust temperature going to the heat
exchanger. We have not solved the Primary Heat Exchanger problem yet nor the
venturi scrubber. We are reviewing the venturi scrubber manufacturer's redesign to
make sure it will hold up. We will be doing another stack test to confirm the low
sulfuric acid emissions. The Bed Removal Cooling Screw is corroding and we are
reviewing our options with several cooling screw manufacturers. The exhaust duct
from the Reactor to the Primary Heat Exchanger had some corrosion, we insulated it,
and the corrosion stopped at that point. We want to remove the Belt Filter Press
foul air from the Reactor with the next odor control project. These are problems we
still have that need to be resolved.
Mr. Scalise reported that the committee discussed the possibility of a back up
incinerator, reviewing a rough price comparison. Mr. Bratina reported that we had
received some last minute data from Startech on the Plasma Waste Converter
testing. A big concern with this concept is that they do not have a unit anywhere
near the size we would need. A big concern in its cost effectiveness is the value of
the Plasma Converted Gas for which we need more information. Mr. Wright asked
about the electrical cost for the plant. Mr. Bratina reported about $0.0765 per kwh
or $900,000 per year. Mr. Wright noted that if the Plasma Converted Gas provided
electricity, we would have a savings from CL&P. Mr. Bratina reported that this is
possible, perhaps with a fuel cell, but we don't know what the costs and problems
would be generating electricity. Mr. Scalise noted that the committee asked the
Executive Director to solicit proposals from engineering firms to provide a
feasibility study for a back up incinerator. This would include examining a cake
receiving site to reduce truck traffic, the service water needs, and the power supply.
Personnel Committee
Mrs. Konopka reported that the Personnel Committee had met and discussed the
personnel policy manual. There are two groups covered by the union contract but
there are a few people who are not a part of the union, the office staff and the lab
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staff. Mr. Sienna suggested that we have CBIA review the personnel policies and
suggest changes. The committee reviewed what is in the employees' personnel files
to ensure that we are in compliance with state and federal regulations. It seems that
we are. The contract with the Executive Director was discussed and we have a
tentative proposal that we have sent to Counsel to look over. The evaluations were
not completed.
Mr. Carey asked if we are a member of CBIA or the Connecticut Conference of
Municipalities (CCM). Mr. Bratina reported that we are a member of CBIA in order
to utilize the CBIA/Aetna medical insurance but we are not a member of the
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and that he is not familiar with it. There
are additional benefits from CBIA such as training, surveys, and manuals. Interest
was expressed in what CCM could provide. Mr. Carey will provide a contact for
Mr. Bratina to follow up on.
Mr. Rothstein reported that the New England Water Environment Association
selected Mr. Bratina as the Connecticut recipient of the 1996 Alfred E. Peloquin
Award, given annually to an individual who has shown a high level of interest and
performance in wastewater operations and has made a significant contribution to
wastewater field.
Mr. Rothstein moved, seconded by Mr. Wright, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To send a letter of commendation to the Executive Director for
his receiving the Alfred E. Peloquin Award and place it in the Executive
Directors file.
Real Estate & Insurance Committee
Mr. Wright asked about the status of the real estate next door. Mr. Bratina reported
that he had reviewed the plans on the S&S property at the town hall. The entire area
is in the flood plain and they are current in their taxes. Any construction would
require approval from the inland wetlands committee. There is no guarantee that
approval would be granted, though normally it would be for a wastewater treatment
plant particularly if it would not increase the flood elevation. Based on the area of
the wetlands, it would not make any change in the flood elevation. Mr. Bratina
reported that he had asked the owners' lawyer if they had done an environmental
survey. He claimed that they had done one and would provide it if we made a
proposal to them. However one of the owners reported that it was extremely
cursory. There is also another parcel of land, where the cement plant is, that is
owned by Suzio Concrete and has not been used for years. Suzio Concrete was not
interested is selling that parcel of land in the past.
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Minutes of January 21, 1997; as amended February 18, 1997
Safety. Energy & Publicity
Mr. Batorski reported that there were no accidents last month. Maintenance will
inspect the gas vents. We are still looking for information regarding the sludge
storage recirculation pumps.
Mr. Cannamela moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Safety & Energy Conservation report be accepted as
presented.
Counsel's Report
Chairman Badolato reported that Counsel Weber was not available today.
New Business
Chairman Badolato announced that James Carey has been placed on the Engineering
and Real Estate & Insurance committees.
Adjournment
Mr. Van Dorn moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was
unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m..
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be Tuesday, February 18, 1997 at
7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, Cromwell, Connecticut.
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