PORT EWEN WATER & SEWER BOARD
APRIL 8, 2008
Carl Belfiglio, liaison from the Esopus Town Board, requested permission to address the Water/Sewer Board Members before the regular monthly meeting.
Mr. Belfiglio has come to ask the members of the Water & Sewer Board and the superintendent the following:
Referenced were FEMA and SEMO, repair money
versus replacement money, communication about
the amount of money available; communication in
general about reporting information to the Town
Supervisor and the Town Board.
A copy of page 12002 of the Esopus Code Book
was handed out to board members;
Esopus Town Board councilpersons Wayne Freer and Gloria VanVliet were also present. Over the next forty-five minutes discussion was held among the Water/Sewer board members, Superintendent Kiernan and the councilpersons regarding the April 2007 River Road slope failure, the repairs needed at the water treatment plant, FEMA regulations and SEMO disaster relief, engineer reports, hydro-geology studies, monies received and monies promised by the two government agencies. The regular monthly meeting followed. Details of this discussion are included under appropriate agenda items.
The regular monthly meeting of the Port Ewen Water and Sewer Board was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 with the following members in attendance:
Donald Kiernan, Port Ewen Water & Sewer Superintendent
Michael Celuch, Chairman
John Meehan
Ronald Phillips
Carl Belfiglio, Liaison from the Esopus Town Board
Absent was Douglas DeKoskie.
A moment of silence for Roger Mabie was held.
This meeting is dedicated in his memory.
The meeting was called to order at 8:20 PM by Chairman Michael Celuch.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY JOHN MEEHAN AND SECONDED BY RONALD PHILLIPS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 11, 2008 MEETING. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
UPDATE—FEMA, SEMO, ETC.
To Carl Belfiglio’s question about how a nearly half-million dollar bid got approval for water treatment plant repairs without the Town Board knowing the monetary status, Superintendent Kiernan replied that the Water/Sewer Board was aware of SEMO’s project worksheet, which was written as a repair, not a replacement. All along FEMA and SEMO have said their agencies have to pay, whatever the cost.
For the record, Superintendent Kiernan has never worked with FEMA or SEMO before, he does not know these people who represent government agencies, and has had to take their word at face value.
Board member Ronald Phillips stated that the Water/Sewer Board has not approved or recommended approval of any contracts related to this project. The Water/Sewer Board has not passed a resolution for approval of any bids to be submitted related to this project.
SEMO has written three project worksheets: 1. Emergency water line. 2. Clarifier. 3. Minor repairs to water treatment facility.
Board member John Meehan asked if the town has received a communication that FEMA and/or SEMO would pay for the repairs.
Two weeks ago representatives Pat Torrico (SEMO) and Len Rosher (FEMA) addressed the issue of the slope problems. According to FEMA regulations, if the slope proves to be unstable, FEMA is obligated to build a new water treatment facility or buy a new parcel of land and build a new facility or dismantle the present facility. As it stands, SEMO will not re-certify the clarifier.
PLANT STATUS AND GEO TECH—MEETING B&L, TOWN, UCHD
Chairman Michael Celuch stated that the issue of the slope should be addressed first. If this is not going to be done, then he felt the water supply should be hooked up to the City of Kingston. He felt the slope should be fixed. Mr. Celuch asked who is working on the slope at this time, to which Superintendent Kiernan replied, “No one.” Mr. Celuch suggested that the Town use water from the City of Kingston for six months while the slope is stabilized. He felt it is neither a good idea to invest any more money in repairs, nor to install a new clarifier.
Superintendent Kiernan commented that there are still a considerable amount of bonds to be paid over the next ten years, even if the repairs or replacement of the water treatment plant is abandoned.
Ronald Phillips agreed. The slope needs to be repaired. Letters and studies have been written. He felt the slope should be fixed before money is spent on repairs to the water treatment plant. Mr. Phillips wondered how long it will take to get approval for the monies promised and how long to spend it. He felt that the board should know what is going on with the slope as well as FEMA.
Superintendent Kiernan said that the primary concern is to get the water treatment plant up and running. Right now there is only one clarifier running. The other clarifier is beyond repair. John Meehan indicated that the remaining (older) clarifier is leaking. Superintendent Kiernan indicated that it would be twenty to twenty-five weeks for the new clarifier to arrive. In the meantime, other prep work would be done. The date for repairs to be finalized is October, 2008.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY MICHAEL CELUCH TO RECOMMEND THAT THE ESOPUS TOWN BOARD REQUEST THE FOLLOWING FROM THE CITY OF KINGSTON WATER DEPARTMENT: IF THE CITY OF KINGSTON IS RECEPTIVE TO PROVIDE WATER TO THE TOWN OF ESOPUS, THAT A PRELIMINARY PLAN BE FORMULATED IN THE EVENT THAT THIS BECOMES NECESSARY. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
Regarding the slope problem, Superintendent Kiernan stated that we have the pre-geo tech report. As part of the repairs, SEMO will install test wells; a hydro-geologist will be hired for this. Water would be drawn out of the ground to stabilize the water treatment plant.
Town Councilman Wayne Freer suggested that all parties involved get together to discuss this. He also questioned if FEMA would be interested in going in another direction to fix the problems.
There is no word yet on the contract. A meeting at Kingston City Hall is scheduled for April 22nd.
Superintendent Kiernan reported to the board that at 12:30 AM on March 10, 2008 a fitting joint let loose and 80,000 to 100,000 gallons of water backed up into the water treatment plant and the clear well. Emergency repairs took place at a cost close to $6,000.00. The Health Department recommended boiling water for a couple of days. The clear well was chlorinated and disinfected quite well. The emergency pump had been set in place, and was ready to go if necessary.
Superintendent Kiernan would like to thank all Water/Sewer Department employees and engineers. By 6:00 PM on March 10th the plant was back on line.
The NYMOR system is a state-wide program. Superintendent Kiernan would really like the Esopus Town Board to look into this system of inter-municipal agreements to help each other.
Superintendent Kiernan notified the board that the water line is finished. It needs to be pressure tested and chlorinated.
Esopus Town councilman Wayne Freer asked if all the valves for Thomas Danielle were put in the line. Superintendent Kiernan replied that he was instructed to not put them in.
Superintendent Kiernan explained that necessary paperwork is being gathered.
Board member Ronald Phillips asked if bids on the clarifier are on hold. Superintendent Kiernan replied, “Yes.” SEMO will be involved in the work. Liaison Carl Belfiglio stated that the effort will be made to bring everyone involved to the table to work on an alternate plan. (See also agenda item #2)
Included in the agenda is the March 28, 2008 letter from Town of Esopus Supervisor John K. Coutant, regarding River Road slope issues and failure.
Included in the agenda is the March 28, 2008 letter from Town of Esopus Supervisor John Coutant to Ms. MaryAnn Wollaber in the SEMO office in Albany. A large amount of paperwork is also being directed to her.
A meeting with Dennis Larios is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th about this subject. The paperwork will be directed to SEMO.
Board member Ronald Phillips asked why this work is stopping. Superintendent Kiernan responded that the Town Board wants assurances that FEMA and SEMO are paying for this work.
Ronald Phillips asked about the remaining money from SEMO--$59,000.00. Could the Town Board release this money for the drilling work and study?
A MOTION WAS MADE BY MICHAEL CELUCH AND SECONDED BY JOHN MEEHAN TO RECOMMEND THAT THE ESOPUS TOWN BOARD ALLOCATE THE MONIES FROM THE SEMO REIMBURSEMENT (PW2066) TO PROCEED WITH THE HYDRO-GEOLOGY STUDY ADJACENT TO THE PORT EWEN WATER TREATMENT PLANT. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY JOHN MEEHAN TO APPROVE THE MONTHLY VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
No further topics were discussed.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY RONALD PHILLIPS AND SECONDED BY JOHN MEEHAN TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gloria Meschi, Secretary
Port Ewen Water/Sewer Board