1998-01-20 9 .
Minutes of January 20,1998
THE MATTABASSETT DISTRICT
The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of The Mattabassett District was
held Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at the Administration Building, Cromwell,
Connecticut. Present from the Town of Cromwell were Directors 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, Robert Scalise, and Dennis
Taricani. Also present were William Weber - District Counsel, John Batorski -
Operations Manager, and Christian Bratina - Executive Director.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Dominic Badolato. A roll
call was taken, a quorum was present. Absent were James Carey and Walter
O'Connor.
Minutes of December 15, 1997
Mr. Bratina pointed out a typo on Page 11 under Counsel's Report which will be
corrected.
Mr. Van Dorn moved, seconded by Mr. Sienna, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the December 15, 1997 meeting be accepted
as amended.
Treasurer's Report •
Mr. Bratina reviewed the Treasurer's Report. The Cash Flow Chart shows the
expenditures to date are less than last year's and the revenue to date is ahead of last
years. It appears we will be within budget with a fund surplus this year. The
Statement of Earnings shows that all assessments have been received, the interest
and sludge management are all on track, and Miscellaneous is ahead of schedule due
to the CL&P load shed program which we had not budgeted for. The Investment
Schedule shows Citizen's Bank which is the old Farmer's & Mechanics Bank. The
interest rates continue to be good. Mrs. Konopka asked Mr. Bratina why we didn't
show the sale of the Belt Filter Press under Miscellaneous. Mr. Bratina responded
that this is for the Operating Fund and the Belt Filter Press comes under the Capital
Nonrecurring Fund.
Mr. Dottor moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Treasurer's Report dated December 1, 1997 to
December 31, 1997 be accepted and placed on file for audit.
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Minutes of January 20,1998
Budget Statement
Mr. Bratina reviewed the Budget Statement. Liability Insurance and Workers' Comp
are all paid. Electricity is a little higher than normal mainly because of the use of
the Aeration Tank coarse bubble diffusers while the fine bubble diffusers were out
of service. Fuel is high due to the oil consumption of the FBI with the wetter sludge
that we have been getting. Gasoline/Diesel Fuel is high because we filled our tank.
Overall we have spent 43% of our budget and we are 50% through the year. Mr.
Scalise questioned what comes under item 44 Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Bratina
reported it includes little things like light bulbs and sand/salt, as well as several
large items such as a fence and gate on the trunk sewer at Kirby Road in Cromwell
and a hot water heater for the Operations Building.
Mr. Cannamela moved, seconded by Mr. Dottor, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Budget Statement be approved.
Accounts Payable Report
Mr. Van Dorn questioned item 71, Yankee Gas. Mr. Bratina reported that the
Administration Building is on a separate gas meter from the rest of the plant and we
pay at a different rate.
Staff Reports
Mr. Bratina reported we had a public information meeting on the Regionalization
Study in Middletown with the engineer firms. Tony Varricchio, First Selectman of
Cromwell, asked if we could hold another public meeting at the Cromwell Town
Hall on January 28th at 7 p.m., which we have arranged. The final meeting will be
in May or June in Cromwell at which time we will review the report.
Mr. Bratina reported that he had set up a meeting with DEP to review the sludge
quality limitations. We have been working with the DEP Permit Section on renewal
of our NPDES discharge permit since the Spring of 1996. DEP wants to establish
limitations on the contaminants in sludge. We set up a meeting with other regional
facilities to discuss this and establish a common sense approach. The initial
limitations proposed by DEP would have excluded most municipal biosolids and
septage, which is not DEP's intent. We will work with DEP to develop practical
limitations. This process will take months.
Mr. Bratina reported that the plant effluent quality was good during December,
however, our Primary and Secondary sludge is still not dewatering well. We
completed testing of Aeration Tank #1 and #2 in a series, plug flow mode. The
system very readily nitrified and the SVI was significantly lower. It settled better in
the clarifier but we did not see any improvement in the sludge dewaterability. The
effluent quality for the calendar year was very good. We had no discharge permit
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Minutes of January 20,1998
non-compliances. The average flow for 1997 was 17.6 million gallons per day,
which is low relative to our rainfall. We had a record high amount of rain, 84
inches, in Cromwell. During a number of extremely high rainfalls here, the flow
didn't increase because it didn't rain heavily elsewhere in our drainage basin. Mr.
Van Dorn reported that the storms follow the rivers and New Britain is in the
middle.
Mr. Bratina reported that our FBI fuel consumption and capacity continue to be poor
due to our low filter cake solids. Recently, Montville has reduced the sludge
delivered by roughly 60% due to our price increase. However, we have not seen any
change in our filter cake solids. Mr. Batorski has instituted polymer trials to ensure
we have the optimal polymer.
There were no odor complaints for the month. Biosystems, the manufacturer of our
continuous hydrogen sulfide analyzer for the Wet Packed Tower Scrubber, has been
providing us with a lot of free research and development which has led to several
improvements and upgrades to our equipment. They are using our site as a research
center. The liquid sodium chlorite storage tank was received and we will be
installing it this month. The spare Primary Heat Exchanger was delivered and we
have stored it in our Ash Wing. The Sludge Storage Blower was run for a short time
to check our peak hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan emissions as part of the Phase 4
odor control testing. Since then, we have been able to run the blower continuously.
The odors in sludge are less in the winter because the sludge temperature is lower
which reduces the biological activity. Mr. Van Dorn asked if the foul air duct is
{ stainless steel. Mr. Bratina reported that the duct that we cleaned between the
Sludge Storage tanks and the Incinerator Building is a concrete pipe. Most of the
pipe was in excellent shape. However the first ten feet has a significant loss of
concrete. We will probably want to coat the first part of that pipe.
Mr. Bratina reported that Montgomery Watson's Thermal Oxidizer Study is taking
longer than planned due to slow response to the survey forms. This is now
improving and the report is expected to be completed in February. Montville began
serious testing to try and improve their sludge quality in December. Rand Whitney
stopped adding polymer to their secondary clarifiers for two weeks. Montville
stopped waste from their extended aeration plant to their SBR's for two weeks and
tried using a plunger pump instead of a centrifugal pump for transferring the sludge.
Montville tried adding some waste Rand Whitney paper fiber to their Rotary Screen
Thickener sludge. None of those tests showed any significant improvement.
Montville also solicited proposals from four engineering firms to assess their plant
and see what they can do to improve their sludge. It is expected that in a month or
two they will haul all of their sludge elsewhere. We responded to a request from
Ledyard for a sludge bid, pricing their sludge high due to its poor dewaterability.
MDC and NETCO offered a significantly lower price than ours. We are pricing the
poorer sludges higher to compensate for the extra cost. New London, which also has
a poor sludge, pumped down their storage tank to correct some piping and design
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Minutes of January 20,1998
problems. We have not seen a significant improvement and they are continuing to
work on their sludge.
Spectraserv, the contractor hired to replace Belt Filter Press #3, completed that work
and poured the foundation. The new press arrived January 5th and was installed.
We still have a lot of ancillary work to do. AAA Glass is working on the Belt Filter
Press hood design. The work should be completed by late February. Maintenance
expended more time than planned disconnecting the old Belt Filter Press control
panel as the wiring was run commonly through all four presses. We had to pull a lot
of wires out and then pull them back in. We have also had a lot of problems with
yard hydrants, which Maintenance is replacing with a more reliable brand. We have
had problems recently with our Putzmeister sludge cake pumps. Maintenance found
that there is a residue, old paint, inside their hydraulic tanks which will be removed
by baking them. The Preventative Maintenance backlog is up again to 548 hours.
Maintenance Supervisor Gary Simpson is reorganizing the PM program, assigning
one person to work on it continuously. This should provide better continuity and
thus higher productivity.
The Laboratory completed the quarterly analyses of the monitoring wells at the Ash
Disposal Site and nothing atypical was noted. We are completely within the permit.
We had an abundance of filamentous bacteria in the aeration tanks. Chlorine was
added to remedy the situation. The lab is continuing to work on the Wedge Press
developing a standard test and establishing a good database with which to determine
whether a sludge is good or bad. The laboratory also ran a number of proficiency
samples from the State Health Department and received a perfect score. We are
certified by the State Health Department which most waste water treatment plants
are not. Every source of outside sludge was tested at least once during the month
with the Respirometer and fourteen samples of liquid waste were tested with the
Microtox. None of the samples were toxic. Mrs. Konopka questioned what the
Respirometer measures. Mr. Bratina responded that we take some of our plant's
mixed liquor, add a waste to it, and measure the oxygen consumption. If the waste
is readily digestible, the oxygen uptake will increase as they eat more of the waste.
If the waste has anything toxic or highly inert, the oxygen consumption will not
increase as much as normal. Mrs. Konopka asked how often the Foul Air Duct is
cleaned. Mr. Bratina reported that this is the only time that we cleaned it since it
was installed with the secondary plan expansion. We had a problem with foam and
sludge entering our FBI blowers. But we didn't notice any in the pipe until we ran a
TV camera around the first bend. The sludge overflowing problem may have been
exasperated by the use of hydrogen peroxide which can generate foaming. Mr.
Taricani asked about the Montgomery Watson survey. Mr. Bratina explained that
Montgomery Watson mailed a three page survey form on thermal oxidizers to plants
throughout the country. A lot of the plants were not returning them, so Montgomery
Watson is having to place follow up calls to get them returned. This study is to
determine what does and does not work in thermal oxidation. Mr. Taricani asked if
we had had someone working on Preventive Maintenance full time. Mr. Bratina
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Minutes of January 20,1998
reported that Maintenance Supervisor Gary Simpson had been handing out PM work
orders a bunch at a time as they had time, which makes it too easy to put it off. Mr.
Bratina stated that he wanted it to be a higher priority, done on a continuous daily
basis. It is more reliable and efficient to have one person working on it all the time.
Mr. Taricani asked if the Directors could get a current schedule. Mr. Bratina will
provide the PM schedule on a periodic basis. Mr. Scalise asked if anyone else bid
on the Montville sludge. Mr. Bratina reported that Montville solicited requests for
proposals. In response, NETCO gave them a lower price and Waste Stream
Environmental offered to take it to Cranston, Rhode Island and the Metropolitan
District Commission at prices lower than ours. Mrs. Konopka stated that NETCO
had told her that they wouldn't touch Montville's sludge. Mr. Scalise noted that they
are a business like anyone else. Mr. Bratina noted that everything has a price and if
the price is high enough people will take it. Mr. Scalise asked where else they are
going. Mr. Bratina reported that they are hauling sludge to MDC-Hartford and
Cranston, Rhode Island, in addition to Mattabassett. Mr. Scalise asked where Mr.
Bratina thought it would ultimately end up. Mr. Bratina suggested that most of it
will go to MDC and the remainder to Cranston. Montville knows that they have a
problem and they are paying more to dispose of it, so they will continue to try to
improve the sludge. Mrs. Konopka asked who the engineer was that they hired. Mr.
Bratina reported that they solicited proposals from and interviewed Montgomery
Watson; Fay, Spofford, & Thorndike; Camp, Dresser, & McKee; and Woodard &
Curran. The engineering firms called Mr. Bratina to see what our problems were.
There has been talk of NETCO installing a belt filter press and dewatering sludge on
site, however it would be even more difficult and expensive to get rid of a very wet
cake. Mr. Scalise asked if we noticed any change in our cake solids. Mr. Bratina
reported that we did not notice any change, which is discouraging. We expected that
we would see some immediate and significant improvement with this reduction in
the Montville sludge. Since our own sludge is generating a low cake solids, we will
be looking continually at it to see if we can determine why. Mrs. Konopka asked if
our own sludge doesn't have hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. Mr. Bratina noted
that all sludges have hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in varying amounts; our
sludge has a much lower level than Montville's.
Mr. Van Dorn questioned the Operations Profile on Page 26 under Middletown, if
Newfield Street is temporarily estimated. Mr. Bratina responded that it is. At the
end of the month, for some reason, there was a tremendous jump in the totalizer
reading between the 26th and the 2nd that we couldn't explain. It was a fluke,
therefore we estimated the flow based on the prior 26 days. Mr. Van Dorn asked if
there was any effort being made by anybody to check the meter. Mr. Bratina
responded that he looked at the continuous strip charts and if there had actually been
an increase we would have seen it on the chart, which was not the case. Mr. Bratina
also contacted Middletown and asked them to take a look at it.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Sienna, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
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Minutes of January 20,1998
RESOLVED: That the Staff Reports be accepted as presented.
Finance Committee
Mr. Bratina reported that a meeting was held to review the audit for Fiscal Year 97,
which is July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997, performed by Blum Shapiro. The
expenditures include the $700,000 transfer of excess income to the Capital
Nonrecurring Fund and the constituents. Our revenue was $657,825 over budget,
16%, due to the Sludge Management program. The expenditures were $18,890
below budget, 0.5%. This gave us a fund surplus for the year of $646,715. The
fund balance on June 30, 1997 was $1,629,644. Our expenditures were about
$156,000 higher than normal and our revenues were about $200,000 less than
possible due to the FBI repairs last year. We discussed the appropriateness of the
$700,000 fund transfer, the accountant considers it an expenditure from the
Operating Fund and income to the Capital Nonrecurring Fund. One of the questions
was on the comment that we should have a "perfected agreement" for our
investments. After Blum Shapiro reviewed the issue, they determined that it is not
required nor available. The committee reviewed the list of recommendations
provided, several of which the auditor recognized as not viable for various reasons.
A number of,their suggestions have already been incorporated. Mrs. Konopka
commented that Diane Leeman, our Bookkeeper, gave an excellent presentation and
that she was very impressed with her interest and command of the process. Mr. Van
Dorn commented that he was bothered about the accountant's comment saying that
we don't have a guarantee on the funds deposited. Mr. Bratina reported that the
state requires banks to set aside collateral to cover municipal deposits. However we
have no guarantee that our deposits are going to be covered by that bank. If a bank
fails, every public utility and every town is going to go to that bank to ask for their
money back. There should be enough money in the state fund to cover the deposits
but there is no guarantee. Chairman Badolato stated that this question came up in
March 1990 and our attorney responded to it. Counsel Weber reported that at that
time there was some concern about CBT going under. There is a statute which says
that a bank, as far as municipal deposits and all of our deposits are designated as
municipal public deposits, are protected. All the banks hold 10% as collateral which
is sufficient if a small bank fails. The problem with CBT was that they had such a
huge number of public deposits that if it went under, they would have exhausted the
10% collateral of all the banks. Counsel Weber noted that the commissioner could
assess the banks beyond the 10% if necessary. Mr. Bratina read the comment on
Page 10 of the audit report, "As required by P.A. 91-245, the depositories with
which the District has its deposits have set aside collateral of $97,608 of securities;
however, these are not held in the District's name. It is unclear whether the
collateral required for public deposits by P.A. 91-245 would stand if challenged by
the FDIC since there is no perfected security agreement between the depository and
the depositor. A perfected agreement is required by federal law." We asked the
accountant about this and her response was "The state has required banks to set
aside collateral of 10% of municipal deposits by law. The federal government does
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Minutes of January 20,1998
not require you by law to have a perfected security agreement. You are not in
violation of federal law because you do not have one - it is your option. However,
you really do not have an option to have one because when the State law was written
there was no guidance on how to obtain a perfected security agreement for the 10%
collateral. In order for you receive this 10% collateral if the bank folds, you
basically have to get in line behind those who do have a perfected security
agreement with the bank." But there are no perfected security agreements. Counsel
Weber stated that he felt that she is misreading the 10% because the commissioner
within two days can require the other banks to come up with their 10% to make a
municipal depositors hold. Mr. Bratina clarified that the collateral that the banks
hold is not specifically in our name and they are not required to have it in our name.
There is no system set up for this agreement. We have to get in line with all the
other communities to try to get at the 10% collateral. If there is not sufficient
collateral available, the state can assess the other banks. Counsel Weber asked if we
are designated in all of these accounts as a municipal public deposit. Mr. Bratina
responded that we are, that we are protected as well as we can be. There is a slight
risk. Chairman Badolato asked Counsel Weber to review this issue again.
Mr. Dottor moved, seconded by Mrs. Konopka, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the audit report for the Fiscal Year 1996-1997 be approved
as presented.
Mr. Bratina reported that the committee also discussed what to do with the excess
income. The committee concluded that we should transfer most of it to the Capital
Nonrecurring Fund and return the remainder to the constituents. The committee also
discussed the transfer of funds from accounts with a surplus balance to accounts
with a negative balance, which our accountants have recommend. We normally do
this after the audit so that the actual numbers can be used to develop the next
budget. Mr. Sienna asked if there was any benefit to having this done because you
would be moving history as to what you spent in a particular area. Mr. Bratina
reported that we reviewed the Charter, which references that we should not exceed
the budgeted items and we should adjust monies in order to avoid it. After the audit
is an appropriate time to do so, as we have a clear written record of what we actually
spent. Mr. Sienna asked if we balance based on the line item or total budget. Mr.
Bratina reported that we balance by department, not the account line. Mr. Taricani
concurred with Mr. Sienna but noted that the accountant referred to our Charter and
gave the impression that there are state laws that have to be followed. Mr. Van
Dorn commented that we ought to publish a list of the adjustments that were made
so the Finance Committee would have it before them. Mr. Sienna noted that if we
move the monies it is hard to know what was spent in each account. Mr. Bratina
noted that we have already accepted the audit, so the numbers are official, but we
would then have a supplemental sheet of paper showing the revised expenditures
after balancing the accounts. Chairman Badolato stated that the Charter deals with
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Minutes of January 20,1998
the issue in Section 4-5 "No expenditure for any purpose designated in the budget
shall exceed the estimate for that item, provided the district board may, upon
approval of the finance committee, or, in the absence of such approval, by a
two-thirds vote of the entire district board, make an additional appropriation for
expenditure for any item or items from such contingency funds as may have been
included in the budget or transfer any unexpended balance of any item or items
included in the budget to any other item or items." So we can transfer from other
accounts to that account by a majority vote with the approval of the Finance
Committee or by two-thirds vote without. Mr. Sienna stated that he would rather
see the line showing that there is an over-expenditure. Chairman Badolato asked if
that wouldn't show up in that budget year and then when we do the next budget.
Don't we take into consideration if it was something that would be a constant in that
item we would increase that amount. If we only needed to do it once in a fiscal year
it would not serve any purpose. Mr. Sienna stated that if we just do it once a year it
is not so bad, that he has a real problem when it is done throughout the year. Mr.
Bratina reported that when he presents the budget for next year, which the Finance
Committee will be reviewing in February, he uses the numbers in the audit and not
after we have balanced it. The only thing that we adjust for is the change in
inventory which is in the audit report. Counsel Weber stated that no expenditure
should exceed the estimate for that item except that you can transfer from any
account that is over.
Mr. Van Dorn moved, seconded by Mr. Taricani, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To authorize the Executive Director to transfer funds from
accounts with a surplus balance to accounts with a negative balance for the
fiscal year 1997 Operating Fund.
Mr. Bratina reported that the committee also discussed the distribution of the excess
income, which he was asked to prepare a plan for. Mr. Bratina recommended taking
a total of $720,000 out of the Operating Fund, with $600,000 being transferred to
the Capital Nonrecurring Fund and returning $120,000 to the constituents. This is
accomplished by returning $720,000 on paper to the constituents based on their flow
based assessment for FY 97 and then assessing $600,000 for the Capital
Nonrecurring Fund based on the constituents' allocations. This would return
$109,712 to New Britain, $2,117 to Berlin, and $8,171 to Cromwell. The difference
between the constituents is due to their flow and the allocation. Per the Charter, the
Operating Fund assessments are based on our projected capital expenditures
apportioned by allocation, 22% of the total, and our non-capital expenditures
apportioned by flow, 78% of the total. Our excess income is due to underestimating
the revenue, which if estimated correctly would have lowered the non-capital
expenditures which are flow based. Mr. Van Dorn suggested that only 50% of the
budget should be considered a variable expense apportioned by flow and that the
excess income returned should not be based on flow but by that portion of the plant
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Minutes of January 20,1998
used. Mrs. Konopka stated that if we budgeted right, as far as revenue is concerned,
we would not have such a surplus that we throw into this contingency. Mr. Van
Dorn suggested referring the fund transfer process back to the Finance Committee
for further review. Mr. Gentile commented that there is nothing critical in timing to
disburse these funds and that it would be wise for a committee to pursue this
question and come up with a policy for the entire Board. Once a policy is accepted
it should be set and then the Executive Director can handle it every year and make a
report to us. Mr. Van Dorn stated that if a set percentage is put into the Capital
Nonrecurring Fund by New Britain, Cromwell, and Berlin, once it is in the fund its
identity is lost and suggested a separate account for each town. Chairman Badolato
commented that a partnership is a partnership, and if New Britain is a 75% partner
they would get 75% of the profit if they are going to be paying 75% of the costs.
Mrs. Konopka expressed her concern as to why we have to have such a surplus, that
we should budget for more sludge revenue. Chairman Badolato noted that we would
be heading for trouble if we do that, because 50% of the budget is assessments and
the other 50% is on the profit made by the sludge program. If you keep lowering
the assessments, there will come a day that you will not be able to increase those
assessments to pay for the full cost. If we did not have the sludge program we
would have to double the rates to our constituents. Mrs. Konopka questioned if this
will all change if and when this expanded regionalization occurs. Chairman
Badolato responded that it won't really change because we would not bring in more
constituents, we would be taking in customers and selling them a service. Mr.
Taricani stated that if we are going to err, he is glad we are on the side of erring
where we have money left over. Mrs. Konopka stated that it is not good budgeting,
we are a facility assessing constituent municipalities and then we have this large
amount left over in the end. Mr. Taricani reiterated that 50% of the cost of
operating this plant is paid for by the sludge. Mrs. Konopka suggested that if we
ran short we could dip into the Capital Nonrecurring Fund. Chairman Badolato
stated that if you dip into that fund you are going to find yourself in trouble. That is
why you are better off having an excess rather than a shortage. Mrs. Konopka
commented that if you err on that side it is okay but we plan on it. This is a profit
making place and it should not be. Chairman Badolato stated that we are not a
profit making organization, we reduce the cost to our constituents by $2,000,000 per
year and if we raised our assessments by that amount we would hear the towns
scream. We don't want to guess how much we are going to get, be wrong, and go
back to the towns for more money. Mr. Scalise stated that to try to come out to a
zero balance, and if we need money to have a special assessment or borrow, is
ludicrous. When our biggest argument is how to return money to the constituents,
and we are talking about increasing our assessments or special assessments, we are
wasting our time.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Taricani, the following motion:
MOTION: To refer the fund transfer procedure to a Special Committee
including the Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Board.
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Minutes of January 20,1998
Mrs. Konopka stated that the Finance Committee is the only one where each
community has an equal vote, that the Chairman of the Board should be part of the
discussion but that we should not change the composition. Mr. Van Dorn concurred,
that it should be referred to the Finance Committee alone.
A vote was taken and the motion was adopted with Mr. Van Dorn, Mr. Sienna, Mrs.
Konopka, and Mr. Gentile opposed:
RESOLVED: To refer the fund transfer procedure to a Special Committee
including the Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Board.
Engineering Committee
Mr. Bratina reported that we had put out a bid in December for Temporary Sludge
Hauling and Disposal while we are down for approximately three weeks during the
rebricking of the Fluidized Bed Incinerator in late February or March. The lowest
bid was American Landfill for $72.93 per wet ton. After the bid was opened, the
highest bidder Dainty Rubbish proposed a lower price of $72.00 per wet ton, a little
under the low bid. At this time, Dainty Rubbish does not have approval from the
State and the landfill to take the sludge. They do expect to have that approval this
week. The Hartford MDC did not respond to the bid because they do not bid on
sludge cake, but they have advised me that they will take the sludge as capacity is
available for $210 per dry ton which equates to about $51 per wet ton. It would also
cost about $9 per wet ton to haul it to MDC, a total of about $60 per wet ton. Thus
the Hartford MDC is the lowest cost disposal option. However, since the Hartford
MDC can not take it all and it is not certain how much they can take, we need to
plan to have American Landfill handle the bulk of the sludge. The committee
concluded that we should not accept the revised proposal from Dainty Rubbish and
recommended using the Hartford MDC and American Landfill.
Mrs. Konopka moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following was
unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED: That the Executive Director be authorized to enter into an
agreement for Temporary Sludge Hauling and Disposal with the Metropolitan
District Commission at $210.00 per dry ton and with American Landfill, Inc.
at the $72.93 per wet ton.
Mr. Bratina reported that Pratt & Whitney-Middletown has requested that we take
all of their domestic wastewater flow of 150,000 gallons per day for roughly a three
week period this spring so they can shut down their domestic treatment plant for
major repairs. We currently are charging Middletown $0.000574 per gallon, if we
used our sludge pricing formula we would charge $0.015 per gallon, and our rate for
septage is $0.065 per gallon. Following discussion, the majority of the committee
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concluded that we should accept the Pratt & Whitney waste and charge $0.015 per
gallon.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn, and the following was adopted with
Mrs. Konopka opposed:
RESOLVED: To add the Pratt & Whitney item to the agenda.
Mrs. Konopka stated that she had some concerns in regards to the Charter and the
incinerator permit. Counsel Weber responded that per the Charter, the District is
empowered to provide for the treatment of sewage and industrial waste originating
within or without the District and to enter into a contract with any municipality,
municipal sewer authority, or other persons on such terms as such contract may
contain, providing for and relating to the treatment and disposal of any such sewage
or industrial waste. The Charter certainly gives us the right. Counsel Weber stated
that he had not reviewed the permit. Mr. Bratina reported that we have two relevant
permits. Our wastewater permit for discharge allows for industrial discharges with
authorization from DEP. Our incinerator permit authorizes combustion of sewage
sludge removed during the treatment of municipal wastewater. Discussions we have
had with Air Compliance when the permit was developed clarified that they do not
have a problem with industrial wastes, there is always an industrial waste
component in domestic sewage. When we first took the Cape Cod Potato Chip
waste, we asked if it was acceptable and Air Compliance advised that it was. Mr.
Bratina asked the question again last week with Chris James of Air Compliance, who
said he didn't know why it was written the way it was and that anything that DEP
Water Compliance would accept Air Compliance would accept. Mrs. Konopka
commented that someone could really make a fuss about incinerating non-municipal
sludge. Mr. Bratina noted that all communities have industrial discharges permitted
by DEP.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Gentile, and the following was adopted with
Mr. Sienna and Mrs. Konopka opposed:
RESOLVED: That the Executive Director be authorized to enter into an
agreement with Pratt & Whitney-Middletown to take their domestic wastewater
for an approximate three week period at a price of $0.015 per gallon.
Mr. Bratina reported that Maintenance Supervisor Gary Simpson brought to our
attention that we have two rotary valves for adding sand to the FBI. Several years
ago the one which adds sand to the FBI failed and we replaced it with a better unit
from Delta with replaceable wear parts. Recently, the other one which meters sand
out of the sand bins began failing. We determined it was better to replace it with a
Delta brand, which has a slightly higher initial cost but a lower life cycle cost
because of the replaceable wear parts. The price is $7,433. The Engineering
Committee recommended we purchase it.
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Minutes of January 20,1998
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Van Dorn and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To add purchase of a Sand Transfer Rotary Valve to the agenda.
Mrs. Konopka moved, seconded by Mr. Taricani, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To authorize the Executive director to purchase a new Sand
Transfer Rotary Valve from Delta at a cost of $7,433.
Personnel Committee
Mr. Taricani moved, seconded by Mrs. Konopka, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To enter into Executive session with the Executive Director and
Counsel Weber to discuss personnel matters.
The Board was in Executive Session from 9:15 pm to 9:45 pm. Mr. Van Dorn left at
9:30 p.m.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Sienna, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To return to Regular Session.
Mr. Taricani moved, seconded by Mr. Gentile, and the following was adopted with
Mr. Scalise opposed:
RESOLVED: To table the Personnel Matter.
Property Management
Mr. Bratina reported that Waste Stream Environmental had requested an extension
of their truck parking License Agreement. Under this agreement they made
improvements to a portion of our District property: placing a fence around the area,
laying down crushed stone, and installing lighting to park up to two tractor trailers
here. The convenience of this site for Waste Stream helps tie there deliveries to
Mattabassett. For this reason and the fact that they pay us $1,200 per year for that
License arrangement, Mr. Bratina recommended to the committee that we extend the
terms for another year. The committee concurred and recommended it to the Board.
Mr. Dottor moved, seconded by Mr. Taricani, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To add Waste Stream Environmental Truck Parking License to
the agenda.
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Minutes of January 20,1998
Mrs. Konopka commented that she does not know why we are so anxious to have
them bring their sludge here and $100 per month seems low. Mrs. Konopka
questioned whether the trucks are owner operated or leased. Mr. Bratina responded
that the trailers parked there are owned by Waste Stream and that some of the
tractors used are owned by the drivers. Mrs. Konopka questioned why we didn't
increased the rent amount. Mr. Bratina responded that he thought $1,200 per year
was a good rate for a 60 feet by 60 feet site on which Waste Stream paid for all the
improvements and we gain the intangible benefit of their bringing more sludge here.
Mrs. Konopka stated that she felt the price is too low and asked if they clean the
trucks there. Mr. Bratina responded that the trucks are not cleaned there, they will
periodically hose out the interior at our unloading site and they regularly clean the
exterior at a truck wash site. Mrs. Konopka asked if it smells over there. Mr.
Bratina responded that he did have a problem years ago with the hatches being left
opened when parked, he talked to the manager and the hatches are now being kept
closed there. Last year we did have a problem with the hatches being left open when
they were driving off site. Mr. Bratina reported that he discussed this several times
with Waste Stream and they have resolved that problem. Since then Waste Stream
fired their Holyoke office manager and hired a new one. We expect the coordination
to improve.
Mr. Dottor moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was adopted with
Mrs. Konopka opposed:
RESOLVED: That the Executive Director be authorized to renew the Waste
Stream Environmental Truck Parking Lease Agreement for another year.
Chairman Badolato reported that a meeting of the Sludge Study Committee was
scheduled for January 29, 1998.
Safety. Energy & Publicity
Mr. Batorski reported that there were no accidents last month. The lunchroom floor
is being replaced tomorrow. Last year's accidents were typed up and prepared. In
Energy Conservation, the new belt press wash water motor was installed. Mr.
Scalise noted that we appreciate Mr. Batorski staying till 10 pm to make a two
minute report and asked if we should move it up on the agenda so he does not have
to stay for the entire meeting. Chairman Badolato suggested moving the Safety and
Energy Conservation report to Staff Reports, which will be done.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To accept the Safety & Energy Conservation Report.
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Minutes of January 20,1998
Counsel's Report
Counsel Weber reported that in preparation for the Sludge Study Committee
meeting, he reviewed a number of Invitations to Bid for sludge contracts from
various communities in order to advise the committee should the District want to
consider bidding directly for sludge contracts. Some of the potential considerations
include the risks which are placed on the bidder. He reviewed a fax regarding the
awarding of the Contract to remove sludge during the time that the incinerator is
shut down. He reviewed the minutes of the January 22, 1979 meeting regarding the
commitment of the District to go back to the Town of Cromwell town meeting for
acquiring any further land in the Town of Cromwell, and reviewed a request that was
made to the Executive Director pursuant to FOI regarding the release of various
personnel related matters.
Mr. Scalise moved, seconded by Mr. Cannamela, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: To accept the Counsel's Report.
Adjournment
Mr. Gentile moved, seconded by Mr. Dottor, and the following was unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED: That the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m..
The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be Tuesday, February 17, 1998 at
7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, Cromwell, Connecticut.
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