APPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were Tom Risom (Chairman), Louisa Grogan (Treasurer), Mike Dickey, Roger Breunig, Dimitri Tolchinski, Bob Gassman, and Joe O’Connor. Also present was Ron Rose, Sanitarian.
Chairman Risom called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Risom stated that the Zoning Commission has been working on the Sound View Design District and are anticipating a Public Hearing in the very near future. He noted that the WPCA will be involved in development in that area if community systems are used.
Chairman Risom stated that neither he nor George James will be running for office in December and suggested that the Commission members think about people for these two positions. He explained that he is coaching three different sports at the high school and is not able to continue to meet the obligations of Chairman. Chairman Risom noted that George James is becoming heavily involved with Open Space and getting funding for open space projects. Mr. O’Connor indicated that he may not seek reappointment to the WPCA as he is traveling more and more frequently.
Chairman Risom stated that Charlie has been working on the data base and expects that it will be up and running shortly. He stated that no one has had luck getting the extract from Mr. Cashman. Chairman Risom noted that letters are due to the people who have not pumped in seven years, the people who have pumped in the last five of the seven years and now need to repump, and the people who pumped in the first two of the seven years that are in conformance with the seven year pump out but not within the five year. He noted that this last group of people will be allowed two more years to pump. Chairman Risom stated that the Town cannot begin enforcement until these letters get out. He noted that they cannot enforce selectively.
Chairman Risom stated that the suit against the Town on behalf of the South Lyme Homeowners Association is going to trial in January 2005.
Education
No report.
Regulations
No report.
Transfer Station
Chairman Risom stated that Bob Gassman was able to get Gary Yuknak to sign a new contract. Mr. Gassman stated that Mr. Yuknak is making a list of capital improvements. Chairman Risom indicated that the tanks will probably need to be replaced within the next five years at a cost of $30 to $50 thousand dollars. He noted that the capital improvements will come out of the Selectmen’s budget not the WPCA’s.
Data
Mike Dickey stated that he has both emailed and called Bob Cashman for the data which he extracted in May and has not been able to get a return call. Chairman Risom noted that Charlie has attempted to reach him several times also, with no success. He acknowledged that the Town is willing to pay Mr. Cashman for his services.
Budget
Ms. Grogran stated that they have spent $3,399.12 to date. She explained that the books were closed in June with $67,000.00 received for pump outs and in July she received a report that showed $79,627.80 in the pump out budget. She noted that the August report shows $7,854 with a year-to-date of $16,780.00. Ms. Grogan asked for clarification, as she believes that the July report may contain an error. Mr. Rose pointed out a note at the bottom of the budget which corrects this discrepancy.
Chairman Risom stated that the WPCA had $3,000 or $4,000 left in their budget at the end of the year and he told Mr. Griswold that he wanted to roll that over in the $10,000 for testing in Old Colony (Ground Water Investigation). He asked Ms. Grogan to show these two amounts separately in the budget.
Mr. Tolchinski distributed a draft of the Sound View Design District Regulation. He noted that this is hopefully the final draft of the regulation. Mr. Tolchinski stated that the purpose of this Regulation is to allow improvement to the Hartford Avenue commercial area. He asked the Commission members to review the draft and report back to him with any comments or concerns. Chairman Risom stated that the Sound View Community Center is not planning to upgrade their septic and Mr. Rose had to limit their use. Mr. Tolchinski stated that there has been talk about using land on private property or Town land to improve a septic system for another property. Mr. Breunig stated that if the Town sets a precedent of allowing smaller setbacks in a high-density area, it will open up a can of worms. Mr. Tolchinski stated that the properties are already nonconforming and the property owners cannot improve their properties without going to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Chairman Risom pointed
out that most of these properties will have to have engineered septics in order to improve their properties and that will be a benefit to the Town. Mr. Breunig pointed out that the same thing could be said of other areas of Town.
Chairman Risom stated that if the Sound View Design District Regulations moves forward it is very likely that the WPCA will see applications for community systems.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that he and Mr. Scully from DEP have discussed the WPCA requesting that the WPCA allow them to have alternate type septic systems installed as long as the WPCA has a contract in place to maintain these systems. In the case of the homeowner not maintaining the system and reporting to the WPCA, the WPCA could maintain the system and bill the homeowner or lien the property. Chairman Risom stated that another option would be to have an escrow up front. Mr. Rose stated that this would be for residential use only. Chairman Risom asked Mr. O’Connor to draft this letter.
Mr. Rose stated that he would like to make informational pamphlets available for people to pick up at the Health Office and suggested using the one provided in Chester as a model. He noted that this would save Ms. Swaney quite a bit of time repeatedly explaining the same thing to the same person. Mr. Rose stated that he thinks the pamphlet is well-written and easily explains common questions.
Chairman Risom stated that Mr. James stated that there is a clean water act meeting in October where they will be giving out points for certain activities, which is the process the WPCA protested on Point ‘O Woods. He indicated that this is a public meeting held in Hartford and Mr. James thought it might be interesting to have some one attend.
Mr. Rose stated that the DEP has granted approval to Old Colony to redirect Sheffield Brook. Chairman Risom stated that the Wetlands Commission may not grant their approval, as they have informally indicated that they would not allow this.
Mr. Breunig thanked everyone for their input on the newsletter. He indicated that the mailing went out August 30.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Roger Breunig, seconded by Joe O’Connor and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of July 15, 2004.
At 8:50 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Louisa Grogan and seconded by Mike Dickey; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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