The town’s selectmen met for their monthly meeting this past Tuesday, with Selectman Tom Klebart participating by phone. Without Tom’s being physically present, two of the agenda items were tabled for this meeting: item # 6. Discussion of Annual Budget Meeting process, and item # 7. Continuation of discussion re: Correspondence from Bill Case re: Brodie South.

Following is Part I of our report on some of the items discussed at the meeting on Tuesday, May 24; you may read the minutes of the complete meeting in the Minutes and Agendas section of the Town of New Hartford website, you may go to the Town Clerk’s office for a copy of the minutes or you may contact the First Selectman’s Office for information on any item of specific interest to you.  Part II of this report will follow, with an account of Rec’s input to the Selectmen during Item # 11. Opportunity for Public Comment, when Rec member Dan Eddy expressed Rec’s concern over the lack of communication with their commission and also the expenditures being carried out in their name.

Item # 3.  Discussion/possible action of recommendations by WPCA regarding sewer line extensions

At the meeting were two members of the WPCA (Water Pollution Control Authority): Bob Krzys, the recently-elected Chairman of the WPCA and Steven Hanright, a member of the WPCA.

Two items were presented by First Selectman Dan Jerram on behalf of the WPCA:

The first item, was the proposal from the WPCA to use about $100,000 to $105,000 of the left-over balance from the USDA funds from the construction of the wastewater treatment plant to winterize and upgrade the plant; download a copy of proposed items: Proposed WPCA Action Items, May 21, 2011 (59). Most of the items had to do with protecting the investment in the plant, for example adding heat tapes to exposed pipes to avoid their freezing during the winter. One of the items, item # 2 will make modifications that will allow the plant to accept septage from non-users in town. This, the selectmen said, would fulfill the promise made to non-users.

Tom asked why the engineer hadn’t caught the winterization problems and he was told that the plant was designed to operate at 400,000 gallons per day, and the plant was actually operating at a much lower level; during the winter it had been at 40-50,000 gallons, and it’s now stabilized at 70-80,000 gallons. During the recent storms the flow had increased to 150-170,000 gallons. “It’s (the capacity) is there for the growth.” They agreed.

The selectmen voted to approve the items as had been proposed by the WPCA.

The second item was to prioritize the top 4 areas for potential sewer line extensions, something the WPCA had done with the help of Wright Pierce, their consultant. The top 4 areas were identified as Pine Meadow, Greenwoods Road, Cottage Street and Johnnycake Lane.

The top priority was Pine Meadow, where septics have been failing. However, this area would cost about $1 million and was deemed financially unfeasible at this time.

The area that was being recommended was Cottage Street where sewer line extensions would cost about $500,000, an amount which could possibly be all financed with grants. “If we can do it without going to referendum it’s a home run.” They agreed. Dan Jerram said that he would write a STEAP grant application for the Cottage Street line extensions. He also said that there was also the possibility of a user from the Industrial Park hooking into the Cottage Street sewer lines.

Item # 5. Resolution re: STEAP grant (downtown/intersection re-design project)

The selectmen gave their approval for First Selectman Dan Jerram to act on behalf of the town on the $250,000 STEAP grant for the downtown intersection realignment project. That grant had been obtained about 5 years ago and that work is now imminent – it will start to get going during the summer, Dan said. They are just waiting for the Central Avenue sewer pipes to be cameraed and then the project can begin.

Other Items:

Former Zoning Officer Granted Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR): Dan informed the selectmen that Karl Nilsen, the town’s former Zoning Enforcement Officer had been granted accelerated rehabilitation. The three towns concerned, New Hartford, Burlington and North Canaan all agreed to the AR on condition that Karl repay them a total of $24,103 in restitution. New Hartford’s portion totals $10,086.19; download a copy of the claim for damages submitted by the town: Revised Request for Damages - Re. Karl Nilsen (62).

Update Not Given:  Highway Department Begins Summer 4-Day Work Schedule

The town’s Highway Department has now started their summer schedule of 4-day work weeks.  Our reporter asked Christine Hayward, the First Selectman’s Administrative Assistant, what the status of the road crew was, since she remember from the last several years that there had been some discussion as to whether it was more efficient to have the crews work 5 days or 4 days during the summer.  Christine said that it was part of the Highway Department’s contract that automatically goes into effect.

On reviewing our past reports,  we found that: “It is understood that either party (the Union or Town) to this Agreement may revert to the normal work week schedule by notifying the other two (2) weeks in advance of its commence each may [sic].”

To read more about the road crew’s change in work schedule for the summer and some of the discussion regarding this change, see our May 20, 2009, article  Road Crew Can Have 4-Day Work Week Unless Notified Otherwise By Town.

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Board of Selectmen
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, May 24, 2011

7:00 PM
Town Hall

AGENDA

1.) Minutes

2.) Operations Updates

3.) Discussion/possible action of recommendations by WPCA regarding sewer line extensions

4.) Grant Applications (STEAP 2011, Urban Rural, Accident Reduction)

5.) Resolution re: STEAP grant (downtown/intersection re-design project)

6.) Discussion of Annual Budget Meeting process

7.) Continuation of discussion re: Correspondence from Bill Case re: Brodie South

8.) Request for Tax Refunds

9.) Correspondence

10.) Any Other Business to Come Before This Board

11.) Opportunity for Public Comment

12.) Executive Session – union negotiations