Robert Dumford, left, and Jim Boone, sign off on an authorization that allows district superintendent Tim Woodward to purchase the first lift station for the newest sewer project. Photo by Chelsea Los.

By Chelsea Los
InkFreeNews

CROMWELL — The reality of COVID hit home again Monday evening, Nov. 16, when the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District made the decision to postpone their traditional holiday gathering. Although the board meeting took place in person, social distancing was established and masks were required by participants.

Jim Boone, board president, said he felt hopeful a summer BBQ would take the place of the large family dinner typically held during the holidays.

The effects of COVID have rippled through the district in several tangible ways, including an uptick in flow and sludge material. Tim Woodward, district superintendent, said he has spent the past four or more months working to find the perfect combination of bacteria to produce as few solids as possible.

As of this week, all the spreading of solids to local fields has been completed with more than double the number of gallons compared to last year.

Woodward also updated the board on a few expenditures, including footing the bill temporarily for a line that was hit by another utility company. Woodward assured the board all bills were being recorded and stored for a complete reimbursement to the district. TCRSD is also the cautiously proud new owner of a valve machine — a seemingly wild contraption Woodward compared to “Edward Scissorhands.” The machine solves one of the district’s most perplexing problems, sticking valves.

The valves on the pressurized pipes are relatively new, yet the manufacturer could not give an answer as to why they might stick. Woodward indicated the cost of the new machine to loosen these valves is high, and he would be holding the invoice payment for 90 days to ensure a long-term solution to the problem. He indicated a return visit to the valve provider is “not going to be very pleasant.”

Attorney for the district, Andrew Boxberger of Carson LLP, spoke briefly to the board about authorizing Woodward to purchase the first pump station pending the go-ahead from the rest of the crews. Using a valuation waiver, the board came to a tentative agreement with a property owner to purchase an easement for placement of the first station. Boxberger indicated there is a 120-day due diligence period that allows the board to back out of the purchase agreement if fault is found with the property making it unsuitable.

“I think this was one of the best things we’ve done on this project so far,” said Woodward.

Woodward and Boxberger also teamed up to track return on the two certified letters sent out to property owners within the district who have failed to connect to previous sewer projects. Out of five letters, only one property owner has failed to produce any kind of communication indicating an intent to connect. It was not clear what the next action would be from the district.

The board tentatively plans to meet in-person at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21.