Invitation for Focus Groups

Department of Public Health

What:             Eversource will be conducting aerial inspections of high-voltage electrical equipment on rights of way throughout Connecticut this month. This semiannual inspection is an important part of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable electric service.  The work involves the use of a helicopter equipped with heat-sensing, infrared scanning technology which can detect potential equipment issues before they occur.

When:            The aerial inspections start tomorrow and continue through August 31. Weather permitting; flights will take place from 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Where:           Utility rights of way covering the following Connecticut cities and towns:

Andover, Beacon Falls, Berlin, Bethany, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bloomfield, Bozrah, Branford, Bristol, Brookfield, Brooklyn, Canton, Chaplin, Cheshire, Chester, Columbia, Coventry, Danbury, Darien, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hartford, East Haven, East Lyme, East Windsor, Ellington, Essex, Farmington, Franklin, Glastonbury, Granby, Greenwich, Guilford, Haddam, Hamden, Hampton, Hartford, Harwinton, Hebron, Killingly, Lebanon, Ledyard, Litchfield, Lyme, Manchester, Mansfield, Meriden, Middlebury, Middlefield, Middletown, Milford, Monroe, Montville, Naugatuck, New Hartford, New Milford, Newington, Newtown, North Branford, North Stonington, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Orange, Oxford, Plymouth, Pomfret, Portland, Putnam, Redding, Ridgefield, Rocky Hill, Roxbury, Salisbury, Shelton, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Stamford, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Wallingford, Washington, Waterbury, Waterford, Watertown, Westport, Wethersfield, Wilton, Windham, Windsor, Wolcott, Woodbridge and Woodbury.

DESCRIPTION OF AIRCRAFT:   Blue & silver helicopter, tail # N1431W

EXPLANATORY TEXT FOR WPCA UPGRADE AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2019 AND

REFERENDUM VOTE NOVEMBER 5, 2019

Information on Repairs and Upgrades to the Hebron Sewer System

In the late 1980’s, the State of Connecticut mandated the Town of Hebron to establish a sewer service district. In response, the Town constructed a public sewer system in the early 1990’s that serves multiple areas including Hebron center, the Amston Lake District, RHAM High School, Hebron Elementary School and along Church Street (Route 85). The primary purpose of the system was to address areas of septic failures.

The system is administered by the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) which consists of five (5) appointed board members.  Approximately 17 miles of sewer lines were installed and these are supported by nine (9) pump stations.  Sewer lines were installed along the following roads: Route 85 from Route 66 south to Crouch Road, Crouch Road, North Pond Road, Brennan Road, portions of Hope Valley Road, Slicer Drive, portions of Millstream Road, Kinney Road, portions of Wall Street, Main Street (from Loveland Road to the corner of 85/66), John E. Horton Boulevard, Wellswood Road and the streets in the Amston Lake area.  Major buildings serviced by the sewer system include:  RHAM Middle and High Schools, Hebron Elementary School, Colebrook Village, Fire Company # 1, Russell Mercier Senior Center, Town Office Building and the Douglas Library of Hebron.   

Waste flow from Hebron is metered and flows to the Town of Colchester and ultimately to the East Hampton sewer treatment plant. In addition, Lebanon’s Lake District flows through Hebron and is billed accordingly.

When initially built, the cost of the system was funded by each residence and business that connected into the system.  They were all assessed an initial connection fee and continue to contribute annual user fees that fund the operation of the system. The WPCA operates under its own budget separate from that of the town budget.   

A study was done over the last four years to assess the condition of the system and a plan was made to upgrade the system which is over 28 years old. According to the study, the pump stations are reaching the end of their life expectancy and maintenance costs and sudden equipment failures have increased significantly.   The total cost of this upgrade is approximately $7.6 million dollars. The project would be bonded by the Town and done in two phases with the first phase of the project costing $3.3 million dollars and would begin in the spring of 2020.  The first phase of this project would be upgrading four (4) of the nine (9) pump stations to meet current standards, installing generators for backup power, and rebuilding grinder pumps. The second phase would be scheduled to begin 2027.

This project will be placed before the voters on the November ballot to obtain their approval for the Town to move forward with this project. 

Please attend the public hearings to obtain information about the project, or any of the WPCA meetings, which are the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm at the Douglas Library to have your questions answered.

Board of Finance Public Hearing:  Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. Hebron Town Office Building, 15 Gilead Street, Hebron, Connecticut.

A Special Town Meeting will be held in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Hebron Town Office Building, 15 Gilead Street, in the Town of Hebron, Connecticut, on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.  The Special Town Meeting will be adjourned at its conclusion to submit the resolution to be presented to a referendum vote on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Electors shall vote at Hebron Elementary School, 92 Church Street in Hebron.

BALLOT QUESTION:

SHALL THE TOWN OF HEBRON APPROPRIATE $7,600,000 FOR UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM, AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUE OF BONDS, NOTES AND OBLIGATIONS IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE PORTION OF SAID APPROPRIATION NOT DEFRAYED FROM GRANTS?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How old is the sewer system?

Hebron’s sewer system is approximately 28 years old.

2. What is the total cost of the project?

Preliminary estimate of $7.6 million.

3. Will the project be done in phases and when?

The project will be done in two phases with the first phase starting in Spring 2020 and the second phase starting in approximately 2027.

4. Why is the Town paying for the sewer upgrade and not the users again?

The sewer system is a Town of Hebron owned asset. The users paid for the initial infrastructure when the State of Connecticut mandated sewers be installed in Hebron.

5. What upgrades are planned for the pump stations for this project?

Upgrades will be comprehensive and include replacement of pumps, valves/valve vaults, piping, instrumentation, electrical panels and control panels.  Additionally, new emergency generators will be provided for each pump station.  Provisions will be made to protect sensitive equipment on sites that are prone to flooding.  Pump stations will be brought up to current building, fire and electrical codes.  

6. Is there any source of financial assistance for the project (outside of town funds)?

The WPCA has applied for funding under the DEEP Clean Water Fund program. Currently grant funding is not available for pump station upgrades but low interest loans may be available. These opportunities will be revisited in the fall of 2019.

At their meeting on July 11, 2019 the Board of Selectmen accepted the resignation of Erica Bromley from the Hebron Board of Education effective June 30, 2019. The Selectmen designate Friday, July 19, 2019, as the posting date for the vacancy notice. The 35th and final day by which nominations shall be received is Friday, August 23, 2019. The Board of Selectmen are now notifying the political parties and the general public of this vacancy.

Interested candidates should attend a meeting of the Board and discuss with the Chairman the frequency of meetings and the time commitment involved.

All residents of Hebron who are registered to vote are eligible. Letters of interest or questions may be addressed to Andrew J. Tierney, Town Manager, Town of Hebron, 15 Gilead Street, Hebron, Connecticut 06248 or call 860-228-5971.

Eversource is Prepared for Extended High Heat and Increased Electricity Demand

Energy company offers ways to keep cool and save energy

BERLIN, Conn. (July 16, 2019) – With sweltering heat and high humidity across the region over the next several days, air conditioners and fans are expected to be working overtime. Though high electricity usage during a heat wave can put a strain on the electric system, Eversource is prepared to meet that increased demand and its crews are ready to respond to any outages or issues that arise.

“We prepare year-round to meet the increased demand and to ensure that our system is ready to handle additional electricity needs that come with a heat wave,” said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom. “This includes conducting detailed inspections of the overhead and underground systems in advance of the extreme heat to detect and resolve any issues ahead of time so that our customers have the energy they need for every moment of their lives, even in the face of potentially record-breaking heat.”                                         

As the heat wave approaches, Eversource offers these common-sense hot weather tips to help customers stay comfortable, save energy and money on their electric bills during this period of high demand:

Increase the temperature on air conditioners.  Keep air conditioners set at a moderate temperature throughout the day as cranking the unit up after work uses more electricity. Programmable thermostats or temperature timers can also help keep costs manageable, especially when away from home.

Keep air conditioner filters and coils clean.  Clean air conditioner filters and coils at least every three months. Dirty filters block air flow, reducing efficiency and making it harder to deliver the cool air.

Don’t block air flow.  Keep air vents clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains and rugs.  For those with central air and floor vents, consider using vent deflectors to direct and increase the reach of cooled air.

Seal home cracks and gaps.  Seal cracks or gaps in walls and outlets, and window and door frames, to keep cool air from escaping and letting hot air in. 

Save major appliance use until the evening. Help conserve energy by using appliances like clothes washers and dryers early in the morning or late in the evening, when there is less demand on the electric system.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity to 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns and provides natural gas to 226,000 customers in 72 communities in Connecticut. Recognized in 2015 as a top-ranked “green” utility in the U.S. by Newsweek magazine, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of delivering reliable energy and superior customer service.  For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCT) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceCT).

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