APPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2005
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were Tom Risom, George James, Dimitri Tolchinski, Joe O’Connor, Mervin Roberts, Mike Dickey and Bob Gassman. Also present was Ron Rose, Sanitarian.
Mr. Risom called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Election of Officers
Mr. Risom noted that the Slate of Officers is for the year, January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. He explained that he is not running for office of any kind this year as he has committed to coaching at the high school. Mr. Risom stated that the only officer that has expressed a desire to be renewed is Louisa Grogran as Secretary. He noted that Mr. James is now very active in the Open Space and Conservation Commissions. Hearing no nominations, Mr. Roberts suggested electing an interim chairman, as no one should be elected in absentia.
Mr. Risom opened up the floor for nominations for Chairman. Hearing none, he opened up the floor for nominations for Interim Chairman. Hearing none, Mr. Rose suggested that the current Officers remain in their positions until the March meeting when perhaps the other members will be present. Mr. Roberts nominated Bob Gassman as Interim Chairman. Mr. Gassman declined. Mr. James volunteered for the position of Acting Chairman.
Mr. O’Connor nominated George James Acting Interim Chairman for a term of not longer than three months; seconded by Mr. Roberts, so voted unanimously.
Mr. Risom nominated Mervin Roberts Acting Interim Vice Chairman for a period of not longer than three months; seconded by George James, so voted unanimously.
Mr. O’Connor nominated Louisa Grogan as Secretary for 2005; Mr. Risom seconded; so voted unanimously.
Mr. O’Connor stated that he spoke with Roger Bruening about being the Chairman and his only concern was that he is not familiar with all the procedures and would feel more comfortable easing into this type of position. Mr. O’Connor stated that he believes Roger Bruening would be a good Chairman. He noted that everyone on the commission has their own expertise and contributes greatly, easing the responsibilities of the Chairman.
Chairman’s Report
Mr. Risom stated that Ron Rose hosted a meeting at the local library for all the shoreline sanitarians, people from the DOT and DOH, and several people from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, where they have 700 installations of alternate technologies. He noted that they have a fantastic data collection system. Mr. Risom stated that Connecticut is embarrassingly remiss in this, although Warren Herzig had the opportunity to address this. He indicated that the only way to get support is through the State Representatives and asking them to put pressure on the DEP Commissioner.
Mr. Roberts stated that the federal government is no longer blindly supporting requests for money for structural sewage systems. He noted that the big money tree is gone. Mr. Roberts noted that soon after this meeting the Health Department reported that the DEP was having a meeting among its executives to determine how to silence Old Lyme. He stated that there is no way that the DEP can turn its back on the data from Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Mr. Rose stated that Mr. Herzig has questioned what Old Lyme’s intentions are. He noted that he replied that Old Lyme wants to use alternate systems and Mr. Herzig indicated that he is meeting with the Commissioner to work toward allowing alternate systems. Mr. Rose stated that some of the other towns that participated in the meeting are planning to set up another meeting to keep things moving forward.
Mr. Risom stated that the entire meeting was videotaped. Mr. Rose stated that he is trying to get a copy of the tape from Adelphia.
Mr. James stated that Mr. Risom sent a letter to Planning regarding the Miano property. He noted that this letter requested that the Planning Commission be careful not to do anything that would make the Town take responsibility for a beach closing. He stated that the Open Space Committee recommended that the Town not accept the easement for the gully. Mr. James stated that the language in the Conservation Easement is unacceptable. He explained that the Wetlands Commission has rejected the Miano Subdivision Application.
Mr. James stated that he would recommend that the WPCA go on record against using herbicides on Rogers Lake and recommend dredging instead. He noted that the Pesticide Committee had a doctor attend a recent meeting and he indicated that there is not one pesticide that does not kill organisms. Mr. James explained that the basic problem in the lake is a great deal of phosphates on the bottom that came from washing detergents. He stated that the doctor present at the meeting indicated that he lived on a lake with the same problem and after it was dredged it was deep enough so that the sunlight did not affect the organisms.
A motion was made by Tom Risom that the WPCA draft a letter to the Rogers Lake Association indicating they are against the use of pesticides on the lake and recommend dredging instead. Seconded by Mervin Roberts.
Mr. Roberts stated that a lake with a dam, such as Rogers Lake, allows the clean water to go off the top, but never the bottom water. He stated that this changes the environment of the lake. Mr. Roberts explained that normally when a lake drains, it drains so that the lower part gets out. He indicated that for this reason alone he would endorse dredging in order to muck-out the bottom. Mr. Roberts stated that he had experiences with 1,000 similar ponds in South India over the previous 13 years. He stated that once the lakes were mucked-out they were good, and remained good for 10 or 12 years.
Mr. Roberts stated that the pond in Duck River Cemetery was mucked-out and it has given that pond an extra 100 years of life. He noted that the same thing could happen again in Old Lyme.
Mr. Risom stated that the Town will be looking for material soon to top-off the landfill.
So voted unanimously.
Mr. James stated that he has asked Marilyn Swaney to put all her records into the old system so there is a complete, up-to-date set of records for pump-outs. He stated that they do not have the program to pull out the information that they would like to have on those. Mr. James noted that they are trying to update the computer system and are long past the pump-out deadline of June 18, 2004. He stated that they should try to come up with a revision of the earlier decision that they would send certified notifications by revising the Regulations. Mr. James stated that the system is inefficient, even if they had all the records. He stated that there are currently 700 notices required at approximately $5.00 each for certified mail.
Mr. Risom stated that a co-worker of his, Scott Anderson, does computer work for many municipalities and he has discussed the problems the Health Department has been having with him. Mr. Risom stated that this individual feels that he could effectively create a database. The Commission agreed to enter into discussion with Mr. Anderson on creating a database for the Health Department. Mr. Risom noted that they are rolling over $10,000.00 from 2004 into 2005, so there is money to get the job done.
Mr. Risom stated that Jay Speirs is interested in the inspector position. He noted that Mr. Speirs used to install septic systems. Mr. Risom stated that the job requirement is a Phase I License.
Mr. James stated that John Rhodes spoke at the last Pesticide Committee Meeting and indicated that the schools don’t use pesticides or herbicides on any of the fields. Mr. Risom indicated that he has seen something granular spread on the fields. Mr. Roberts stated that they could be spreading a fertilizer, which is different from an herbicide or pesticide. Mr. James indicated that the Pesticide Committee is relieved because this was a great concern of theirs.
Mr. Risom stated that in the Zoning Permit to use the Town Woods Fields there is a condition that a written report must be submitted annually listing all pesticides and herbicides used on the soils. Mr. James indicated that he has not seen such a report and will look into it.
Mr. Tolchinski stated Old Colony Beach Association met in December. He noted that they have received DEP and Wetlands approval to divert the brook. Mr. Tolchinski stated that the Association has received three bids from contractors for the work. He noted that the new pipe will be a sealed pipe. Mr. Risom noted that there is money in the budget to review septics in this area and suggested that the part-time inspector may have time to get these inspections going.
Mr. Risom stated that the Town’s lawyers are working on a settlement for the Seasonal lawsuit. He noted that they have asked the members of the class action suit to identify themselves so that a settlement can be offered to some or all of these people. Mr. Risom stated that the group has declined to identify themselves because they believe the list may be used for retribution.
Mr. James stated that the Town has a new website and minutes and agendas are available on the website.
Education
No report.
Regulations
Mr. O’Connor stated that in early 2000 the WPCA put three pages together on alternative systems. He urged everyone to re-read this section.
Transfer Station
Mr. Gassman noted that sludge is building up in the tanks and as soon as the weather warms they will flood the tanks with water to loosen it and this will increase the gallons transferred to higher than normal levels.
Data
No report.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that the EPA and the DEP are concerned about the wetlands filling on Pond Road. He indicated that when the inspector is hired the camera inspection program should be a priority.
Budget
Mr. Risom distributed a copy of the budget as prepared by Mr. Rose and Ms. Grogan. He noted that it reflects no increase, as $15,000 is being carried over from 2003 and 2004.
Mr. Risom stated that he sent a letter to all haulers, as he does every January, asking them to send in new insurance cards and noting that there will be no increase in the per gallon rate. He noted that the next day he received a letter from Mattabasett indicating that they were increasing their tipping fee up to 42 cents per gallon. Mr. Risom stated that next January the Commission will probably have to write a letter indicating a cost increase.
Mr. Roberts questioned whether there would be any impact on the WPCA if the State Health Department created districts, as proposed. Mr. Rose stated that if districts were created the WPCA would come under the district and would no longer be independent. He suggested that people contact their legislators and ask the Selectmen to turn it down.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Mervin Roberts and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of October 21, 2004.
At 8:55 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Tom Risom and seconded by Mervin Roberts; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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