10-6-06 Minutes
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Northport Village Corporation

Utilities Committee

 

October 6, 2006

 

Minutes

 

Present: Chairman David Crofoot, Linda Houghton, Judy Rohweder, Jane Strauss; Superintendent Dick McElhaney; residents Richard MacKinnon, Margaret and Dick Brockway; Secretary Karen L. Hoedtke

 

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed. Strauss moved and Rohweder seconded to accept the minutes. Voted.

 

Superintendent’s Report:

 

      Sewer Department

 

            August Effluent Monitoring Data: There were no license exceptions. Flow averaged 16,071 gpd with a total of 2.36” of rain. The high day was the 1st with 22,800 gals with no rainfall. The 30th was the low day with 10,800 gals.

 

BOD and TSS averaged 17 lbs/day (124 mg/l) and 6 lbs/day (45 mg/l) respectively. Removal rates for BOD and TSS were 57% and 85%.

 

No fecal coliform violations. Daily settleable solids averaged <0.1 ml/l and pH ranged from a low of 6.7 to a high of 6.9.

 

            September Effluent Operating Data Snapshot: Flow averaged around 8,000 gpd; rainfall totaled 3.05” compared to the norm of 3.87”. We anticipate no license exceptions.

 

            Huning/Coughlin Retaining Walls: The Northport Planning Board met Tuesday, September 12th to discuss a variance request by the owner to construct retaining walls at 790 and 792 Shore Road . McElhaney attended and expressed the Department’s concerns that the plans approved should ensure adequate freeze and fall protection for Pump Stations 1 & 2.

 

The Planning Board approved the owner’s plans with the condition that adequate insulation is provided to protect the pump stations from freezing. The CEO made it clear to the homeowner that the homeowner would be liable for the cost of any additional measures that later on might prove to be needed.

 

Nothing has been done at either pump station to date since the Planning Board meeting. Strauss suggested that a letter should be sent to both Huning and Coughlin to remind them that the work needs to be done before the pumps are damaged. McElhaney will write a letter, to be sent both by e-mail and regular mail, with response due by October 20th.

 

      Flow Monitoring: A 30° V-notch weir was fabricated by Mike’s Welding of Augusta at a cost of $40 and will be installed in May when the septic tanks are pumped out if flows throughout the winter continue to be low enough to allow this.

 

The 30° weir has a flow capacity of about 300,000 gpd vs. about 900,000 for the existing 60° weir and 1,600,000 gpd for the 90° weir which we had prior to May 2006. Lower degree weirs provide more accurate flow measurements.

 

            Sewer Permit Applications: An application was received from George Allen. He is putting in a full foundation and proposes to tie into the existing building drain. No additional flow is anticipated. The Ordinance requires replacement of the entire service connection. During excavation, the sewer line was found to run under the house and it was damaged.  This was replaced with PVC pipe. Incorporation of floor drains or sump pumps into the building drain will not be permitted.

 

An application was received from Kenneth Smith on Shore Road (former Vlodek house), also putting in a full foundation. The Superintendent recommended that the existing 4” VC building drain be replaced with 4” PVC. No additional flow is anticipated.  As builts show VC pipe in from the road side.

 

An application was received from Richard MacKinnon for his property on Cobe Road . The Superintendent noted that this would be a new service connection for year-round use with an estimated flow of 270 gpd. The lot is 0.817 acres (approximately 38,000 sq. ft.). Although the sewer main runs by the property, the Ordinance does not require connection. The two questions the committee should consider are: A) Is there capacity in the treatment plant? Yes, there is capacity at present. B) Will the lot size support its own wastewater treatment system? Yes, it will.

 

Crofoot moved and Strauss seconded to recommend that the Overseers deny the application. VOTED: 3 YES, 1 NO.

 

Crofoot moved and Strauss seconded that if the application is denied by the Overseers, the check for the SSDC charge submitted with the application should be returned to MacKinnon. VOTED.

 

The policy was set by the Committee that an administrative fee should be charged for inspections and any costs to the Village. Repayment of the SSDC charge will be made to both Allen and Smith after the work is satisfactorily completed and costs determined.

 

            CCTV Inspections: Ted Berry Inc will conduct video inspections of sewer lines on North, Clinton, Cobe, and Shore Roads to locate where clean water is leaking into the sewer system and whether there are cost-effective solutions. The inspection will be done when the rains come and before it gets too cold.

 

      Water Department

 

            August Operating Data: Water consumption in July averaged 43,794 gpd compared to 44,424 gpd last month and 42,590 gpd for the same period last year. The high day was the 6th with 52,734 gallons; the 29th was low day with 29,715 gallons.

 

Distribution chlorine residuals averaged .09 ppm compared to .07 ppm last month with a recommended level of less than .2 ppm.

 

Instantaneous daily peak flows averaged 86 gpm compared to 88 gpm last month. The one monthly test result for total coliform was negative.

 

Notification by CEO of Issued Building Permits:

 

      Hoedtke to request a list of any new building permits issued by the CEO and/or the Planning Board. Hoedtke to call after each Planning Board meeting to get the information.

 

      The Committee recommended that the Overseers, with or without Crofoot, talk with the Selectmen re: their cooperation in the permitting process.

 

Review of Financials:

 

      The financial reports will be available at the next meeting.

 

Next Year’s Budgets:

 

      McElhaney will prepare a first draft for next year’s budget and e-mail it to the Committee members.

 

Other Business:

 

      The request was reiterated that any citizen who wishes should consider gifts or legacies to the Utilities Department to help with eventual upgrade construction/repair of the wastewater treatment plant.

 

      CAPSTONE: Dick Brockway reported that the spring semester is the usual time to set up a student project to investigate any low grade treatment to improve effluent performance.

 

      The next meeting is scheduled for November 3rd at 2:30.

 

      The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Karen L. Hoedtke