UNAPPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2004
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, July 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), Louisa Grogan (Treasurer), Mike Dickey, Roger Breunig, Mervin Roberts, Dimitri Tolchinski, Bob Gassman, Joe O’Connor and Clayton Penniman. Also present was Dave McCulloch, Conservation Commission.
Chairman Risom called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Risom noted that the June Regular Meeting was cancelled. He stated that the budget of $54,292.00 for fiscal 2004/2005 was approved at the Town Meeting. Mr. Risom noted that the Board of Finance also approved a budget of $119,800.00, which he believes may be to run the transfer facility or may be an error. Chairman Risom indicated that he received a letter from the Zoning Commission to the WPCA requesting that the WPCA confirm the Zoning Commission’s definition of aquifer. He indicated that he forwarded the definition to Nathan Jacobsen Associates on July 2 and has not yet received a response.
Chairman Risom noted that the South Lyme Property Owner’s lawsuit will probably go to trial in January, 2005. He stated that the South Lyme Property Owner’s Association has had their own engineer from Stone Environmental perform a counter-assessment of the Town’s ability to handle only individual septic systems to refute the Town’s claim that individual systems are sufficient. Chairman Risom stated that he would provide copies of this report for anyone who would like to read the report.
George James stated that he invited a guest speaker, Dave McCulloch, to discuss pesticide use. He explained that the WPCA is charged with water quality and there is no question that both run-off and infiltration of pesticides, lawn products and other chemicals eventually get into both surface and groundwater. Mr. James noted that it ultimately gets into the drinking water. He explained that there is not currently a program to test for pesticides and he does not believe the WPCA should be saddled with that responsibility. Mr. James stated that the issue should be brought before the Town.
Mr. James stated that there are health issues, and possibly Town liability issues. He indicated that the WPCA should take a lead in an effort to address the issue of pesticides. Mr. James explained that the EPA has never tested pesticide impact on children. He stated that Essex prohibits the use of chemicals on Town land.
Clayton Penniman stated that it was his understanding that Brian Curtis’ group was given a charge of assessing the potential of doing a round of pesticide tests on a subset of the wells. He indicated that he thought the charge was to determine cost and whether the test wells are appropriate for testing those types of parameters.
Dave McCulloch, Conservation Commission, distributed a published report of pesticide testing. He noted that the study looked at health problems associated with pesticides in children and how the pesticides are sold and packaged. Mr. McCulloch explained that the report looks primarily at lawn care pesticides, but also tree sprays. He noted that in the Town of Woodbridge, 20 percent of the wells are polluted with pesticides, some of which are drilled wells as deep as 500 feet.
Mr. McCulloch stated that the report prepared by a group in Oregon gives a list of pesticides which are known or possible human carcinogens. He noted that there are a host of other diseases, besides cancer, associated with pesticides and herbicides. Mr. McCulloch stated that Massachusetts has passed a law entitled the Family and Child Protection Act which allows the Board of Health to require plans for pesticide/herbicide use. He indicated that the Town of Marblehead set up an advisory committee and the end result is that there will be no pesticides used on any public lands in the Town of Marblehead because of the known and unknown risks.
Chairman Risom stated that the Town Woods Conservation Commission approval indicates that there should be a test well to monitor water quality and the plan for herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers shall be submitted to the WPCA for approval prior to its application. He noted that the WPCA has never seen a list of chemicals. Chairman Risom stated that he will remind the Parks and Recreation Department of these requirements.
Mr. James stated that he believes many people from the Town should be involved in an effort to eliminate pesticide use on Town properties.
A motion was made by George James, seconded by Clayton Penniman and voted unanimously to recommend to the Selectmen that an Adhoc Committee be formed to investigate the health and liability issues for children associated with the use of pesticides, herbicides and other toxic substances on Town and school owned property.
Ms. Grogan suggested that the Town use organic fertilizers as an example to homeowners that the products work.
Mr. Breunig stated that the Lake Authority performed a study because of the problem with weeds in the lake. He indicated that as a result, there were five ways identified to correct the problem. Mr. Breunig stated that the proposals ranged from $3 million to dredge the lake down to $40,000.00 to treat the primary area with two different herbicides. He noted that the State of Connecticut DEP licenses about four hundred lakes and ponds to use these same types of chemicals. Mr. Breunig questioned whether residents in the area should be concerned. He noted that the treatment chosen came down to cost, as Lyme and Old Lyme have to split the cost.
Mr. Risom suggested that the Ad Hoc Committee would probably recommend that a non-pesticide approach be used to combat the weed problem. Mr. James indicated that he and Dave McCulloch would set up a meeting with the Selectmen to discuss setting up the Ad Hoc Committee.
Committee Reports
Education
Mr. James stated that Charlie DeLinks has been working on the computer system in the Health Department. He noted that Charlie is converting the Data Ease over to Access. Mr. James reported that the program should be up and running within the next few weeks.
Mr. James noted that they are changing the Waste Disposal Ticket to eliminate what has been a source of confusion for the pumpers. He noted that the category “marginal” caused confusion so he has changed the ticket to be more observational where the hauler can indicate what they see. He noted that the hauler can check either “Routine” or indicate what he actually saw.
Budget
Ms. Grogan stated that they are carrying over $3,548.00 to fiscal 2004/2005 from 2003/2004.
Mr. Tolchinski stated that he missed the last Old Colony Beach Association Meeting, but noted that the fence around the pipe has not been installed. Mr. Risom stated that he would write a letter to John Roach, Public Works, requesting that the pipe be fenced. Mr. Risom stated that he spoke with Ann Brown and questioned why the Wetlands Commission objected to the pipe being brought through the lots to the beach. He noted that Ms. Brown indicated that it was contrary to their mission to redirect natural water courses. Mr. Risom stated that he believes this to be road run-off, not a natural water course. He stated that the Wetlands Commission also does not like to pipe water, as they want it to go back into the ground and recharge the soil which is prevented by putting the water in a culvert. He noted that Wetlands will continue to object to this practice.
Bob Gassman stated that the contract with Shoreline is still not signed. He indicated that Gary Yuknat does not appear to understand that capitol expenditures are not part of the contract, as he brings this point up at each meeting. Mr. Gassman stated that Mr. Yuknat is also concerned about the rising price of gasoline. It was suggested that perhaps they could meet with Gary again in September and resolve his concerns.
Mr. Breunig distributed the draft annual newsletter and asked for comments and/or suggestions from the Commissioners. Chairman Risom noted that the postage budget was increased for 2004/2005. Mr. Breunig indicated that he will be including the new pumping ticket in the newsletter.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by George James, seconded by Mike Dickey and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of April 15, 2004 and May 20, 2004 as clarified.
At 9:00 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Mervin Roberts and seconded by Mike Dickey; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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