CHESTER, CT — The Chester Water Pollution Control Authority is preparing its 2026-27 budget after reviewing higher-than-expected pump replacement costs, a fund balance of about $247,000 and plans to purchase additional backup equipment.
The authority also reviewed sewer plans for developments at 9 Water St. and 47 Middlesex Ave. during its Aug. 18 meeting. A public hearing on the proposed WPCA budget is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Chairman Ed Meehan reviewed the current WPCA budget and reported that pump replacement work and related expenses have totaled approximately $28,000.
Those expenses include the pump, electrical work, transducers, soft-start costs, engineering and system reprogramming. The capital account, originally budgeted at $10,000, has reached approximately $14,000.
Winn River also performed spring cleaning and cleaned the wet well when a T connection was installed, at a cost of about $3,500 per visit.
The authority is questioning a separate invoice from R.H. White for re-plumbing the T connection. The original quote was $4,800, but the invoice totaled $6,200. Meehan plans to seek clarification about charges for equipment, trucks, labor and materials before the bill is paid.
Despite those expenses, operations and maintenance spending was approximately $13,000 compared with a budget of $16,440, with surpluses in several accounts available to absorb some of the pump costs.
Members also agreed it would be beneficial to purchase a spare pump and motor because the previous backup equipment has been put into service. The estimated cost is $15,000 to $16,000. Meehan plans to obtain quotes and include the purchase in next year's capital budget.
The authority reported that revenue from equivalent dwelling units, or EDUs, was approximately $3,000 above budget, while interest and investment earnings totaled about $8,000.
The WPCA's fund balance is approximately $247,000, compared with the $215,000 estimated in the 2025 budget. Members discussed maintaining the capital nonrecurring fund and noted that some budget accounts, including telephone, tax collection and information technology and data processing, may need increases.
Connecticut Water has been asked to provide usage data covering October 2025 through August 2026. That information will be used to determine EDU rates. No significant change in the number of EDUs is expected, according to the minutes.
The authority has historically spent little of the $6,000 budgeted for shared sewer capital expenses with Deep River. Pete Lewis will be asked to provide anticipated improvements over the next five years.
Meehan will prepare a draft budget for discussion at the September meeting, with the public hearing scheduled for Sept. 15.
The WPCA also reviewed sewer arrangements for a project at 9 Water St.
The development is expected to pay approximately $7,200 in Assessment of Benefit fees. The authority agreed to waive a $2,000 tie-in fee.
The developer has agreed to pay for a Y connection. If the neighboring property, identified in the minutes as the bookstore, connects to the system later, it would be required to reimburse the developer. A contractor estimated that costs associated with the connection could total several hundred thousand dollars.
The owner of 2 N. Main St. may also seek to connect to the system to facilitate converting a barn into an office or accessory dwelling unit, according to the minutes.
The authority also discussed the development at 47 Middlesex Ave. Member Sam Chorches recused himself from that portion of the meeting.
According to the minutes, the developers prevailed in court and a 20-day appeal period was still underway. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously approved a special permit subject to multiple conditions, including WPCA approval.
The WPCA has previously indicated that the project should use a force-main system rather than a gravity system.
Benesch Engineering has been working with local civil and environmental engineering consultants Jacobson & Associates to determine an appropriate system, which will have to be shown to meet applicable requirements. Authority members recommended conducting a hydraulic analysis to determine whether the existing force main can accommodate the additional flows.
The developer will be responsible for Jacobson's costs.
The minutes also note that property owners on Gilbert Hill could potentially seek connections because they are within the Green Zone and a manhole is located across from Gilbert Hill.
With the appeal period still open, however, the WPCA reported that it remains on "stand by" regarding the project.
Meehan also reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a small coffee roasting shop in the Colt Building at 45-47 Main St.
The Health Department raised the question of whether the business would need a grease separator. Because the operation is not expected to produce significant fats or grease, officials determined that a separator is not currently necessary. The requirement could be reconsidered if the menu or use changes.
The WPCA budgets $4,000 annually for fats, oils and grease inspections, which is paid to Jacobson rather than the Health District.
The authority unanimously approved its July 21 meeting minutes and adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
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