APPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2004
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, January 15, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were Tom Risom (Chairman), George James, (Vice-Chairman), Dimitri Tolchinski, Mervin Roberts, Joe O’Connor, Clayton Penniman, and Mike Dickey and Bob Gassman. Also present were Ron Rose, Sanitarian, and Steve Dix.
Chairman Risom called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Risom nominated Louisa Grogan for Secretary of the WPCA. Mr. Gassman seconded; so voted unanimously.
Mr. Penniman nominated George James for Vice Chairman. Mr. Dickey seconded; so voted unanimously.
Mr. James nominated Tom Risom for Chairman. Mr. Dickey seconded; so voted unanimously.
Chairman Risom stated that the Water Pollution Control Authority wrote two letters to the State asking them to respond to the points awarded to Point O Woods in granting funds under the Clean Water Act and the other for some of the processes that may have taken place during the negotiations with Point O Woods. He noted that Jane Stahl finally responded after the State Attorney General got involved and admitted that perhaps some of their selection processes for the Clean Water Act had been in error and they would revisit those.
Chairman Risom stated that he received a bill for the test well at the Senior Center. He explained that the hole was $500.00, $51.00 for a screen, $30.00 for a riser, $45.00 for miscellaneous materials and $70.00 for a 3-foot stick. Chairman Risom indicated that they should plan on $700.00 per test well in the future.
Chairman Risom stated that Gary Yuknat, Bob Gassman, Roger Bruening and he met with Tim Griswold to go over a new contract for Gary and a process by which they can have annual capitol funds put to that project to tackle a list of necessary improvements. He noted that the total project costs would be $20,000.00, but it was decided to prioritize the list and do the work in $5,000.00 increments. Chairman Risom stated that they would carry a $5,000.00 fund every year toward capitol improvements. He explained that the tanks that were purchased as a temporary measure are not permanent tanks and the Town can anticipate an $80,000.00 charge in the next four to five years to replace them.
Committee Reports
Education
Mr. James stated that all residents would receive a pump-out reminder. He indicated that there are less than 900 people who have not responded and of those there will probably be more than a few systems that are very questionable. Mr. James noted that that is the reason they have requested an inspector. Chairman Risom stated that Tim Griswold was very amenable to hiring an inspector. Mr. James stated that the only other question is whether they should establish a fund to assist those who do not have the money to repair their system adequately. Mr. Roberts suggested that that mechanism is already in place within the Town. Mr. Dix stated that Old Saybrook has a five-step process for enforcing their pump-out schedule. He suggested that the Commission take a look at it.
Chairman Risom stated that they have also discussed whether the Water Pollution Control Authority can make a pump-out and system inspection mandatory upon transfer of title. He noted that Attorney Wells has indicated that that is illegal. He indicated that they could get creative and think of another way to accomplish this. Chairman Risom stated that he believes the WPCA’s next step might be to outlaw cesspools and steel tanks and give homeowners a certain amount of time to get a new system in place.
Chairman Risom stated that Tim Griswold is amenable to hiring an inspector and asked that if anyone knew of anyone who may be interested to contact him. He explained that the position will probably be 20 to 30 hours per week and the pay will be based on a per inspection basis. Chairman Risom stated that the individual would work for the Water Pollution Control Authority and answer to Ron Rose as an administrator. He noted that Gary Yuknat indicated that each inspection will take approximately 45 minutes and the fee will be $20.00 per inspection.
Budget
Chairman Risom stated that the budget needs to be increased for postage. He noted that all other lines would be increased to the actuals. Chairman Risom explained that they are requesting $15,000.00 for special projects such as investigations. He stated that the first project would be Old Colony. Chairman Risom stated that they will add $1,200.00 for the coming year for presentations on how septic systems work and about the biology of septics for the elementary school kids. He reiterated that they are adding a staff position for septic inspections.
Mr. Tolchinski stated that he is a member of the Board of Old Colony Beach Association. He noted that Old Colony Beach Association has purchased a building lot that is approximately one-half an acre. Mr. Tolchinski stated that Sheffield Brook runs through a pipe between houses and some of the pipes are leaky. He indicated that they would like to contain the brook from Route 156 all the way to the beach. Mr. Tolchinski stated that the Association has hired an engineer and is looking for financial aid from both the Town and the State. He explained that they are looking to do the work within the next eighteen months.
Mr. Gassman stated that the Town sent Gary Yuknat an automatic contract extension to 2006 which he did not acknowledge because it did not include provisions to cover increases in expenses. He explained that the new contract was discussed, as Mr. Risom noted earlier, and they will be requesting that the Board of Finance add some line items to the contract to cover expenses that are increasing, capitol improvements and operating expenses. Mr. Gassman stated that operating expenses would include cleaning out the grid chamber every quarter, for example. He stated that the Town is charging the pumpers the same amount to dump at the transfer station as the competitors. Mr. Gassman stated that the Town can add ½ cent per gallon to subsidize. He indicated that they are also looking to negotiate
with Mattabasett a better rate than MBC to keep the price down. Mr. Gassman stated that Mr. Yuknat will prioritize capitol expenses over the next four years so that there are no sudden surprises and there is money budgeted toward improvements.
Mr. Gassman stated that Tim Griswold agreed that the transfer station would be in operation for longer than originally anticipated. He noted that the contract is being forwarded to the lawyers for review.
Mr. Roberts stated that when he was deposed, the attorney kept hammering at the seasonality of the water table. He explained that the attorney wanted to know why they wanted the systems shut down in the wintertime. Mr. Roberts stated that one good reason is that the water table is higher in the wintertime. He indicated that he believes this to be true and feels the Commission should look into it because it is one more argument that they can use.
Mr. Roberts stated that approximately seven years ago he published a booklet entitled “The Natural Flow.” He noted that a copy was sent to each household in Old Lyme. He questioned whether new property owners in Town receive information on septic systems. Mr. Risom stated that George James has sent mailings in this regard. Mr. James stated that he would be glad to research this to be sure new homeowners get the proper information.
Mr. James stated that there is aquifer protection legislation about to be voted on in committee for the well field area serving a thousand or more people. He noted that although Old Lyme is not shown on the map that shows the areas, he believes Connecticut Water Company services more than one thousand people. Mr. James questioned whether Old Lyme should be involved in this, as the purpose is to provide greater protection for the well field against a rather substantial list of pollutants. He stated that locally there is an effort to separate the regulatory duties of the Wetlands Commission and the Conservation Commission by Ordinance. He noted that this will be voted on at the Town Meeting. Mr. James explained that the purpose of the new Conservation Commission is to assess the natural
resources of the Town and to make recommendations to other Commissions for preservation of those resources.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that the proposal before the Legislature for the Regional Health District has been pulled. He distributed his monthly report. Mr. Risom questioned how people come about asking him for septic repairs. Mr. Rose explained that usually it is when a problem was found during a pump out. He noted that sometimes the homeowner requires an engineer. Mr. Rose explained that he is usually the one who determines whether an engineered plan is required. Mr. Rose stated that he can make exceptions for lot lines, but the State must approve exceptions for well distance. He explained that a homeowner would have to apply to DEP for approval to use an alternate system.
Mr. Dix presented a written summary to the Commission members. He explained that a new law has been passed in order to establish procedures for operation and maintenance for any type of mechanical or more complex technology. Mr. Dix stated that instead of just establishing new operation and maintenance procedures, the law says that each Town needs to form districts. He noted that they went even further still and said you have to define the district. Mr. Dix stated that defining the district would be difficult and could take years. He stated that he would suggest that instead of performing a study they consider the entire Town a district. Mr. Dix stated that the law states that the plan can be amended and the Town could be more restrictive or aggressive in solving problems.
Mr. Dix stated that the law changes the function of a WPCA or Regulatory Agency from an enforcement agency to more of an educational, data management, support agency. He noted that the reason he suggested establishing the entire Town as a district was to save the Town millions of dollars and years of investigation. The commission members agreed that they did not want people using this technology to increase the intensity of use on small lots.
Chairman Risom thanked Mr. Dix for all the time he put into his presentation this evening. Mr. Dix suggested that the Commission decide whether they would like to move forward on a case-by-case basis or establish a district.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Tolchinski, seconded by Mr. Dickey and voted unanimously to approve the Minutes of the November 20, 2003 Regular Meeting.
At 9:45 p.m. Dimitri Tolchinski made a motion to adjourn. Mike Dickey seconded; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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