APPROVED
OLD LYME WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2005
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were George James (Acting Chairman), Mervin Roberts (Acting Vice Chairman), Dmitry Tolchinsky, Joe O’Connor, Bob Gassman, Roger Breunig, Mike Dickey. Also present were Ron Rose, Sanitarian, and Gary Yuknat, Shoreline Sanitation.
Acting Chairman James called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mervin Roberts, seconded by Joe O’Connor and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 15, 2005, as clarified.
Guest Speaker
Mr. Yuknat stated that he met with George James and Tim Griswold regarding the increased tipping fees. He explained that Mattabasett originally seemed to want Shoreline’s business but eventually became inundated with septage and it appeared to be affecting their operations. Mr. Yuknat stated that Mattabasett began a series of letters, beginning with limiting the number of loads, then excluding weekends and further reducing their hours of accepting septage. He noted that eventually rate hikes were announced and in the end the rate was 7.5 cents per gallon beginning July 1. Mr. Yuknat stated that beginning July 1 he immediately began hauling up to Hartford. He noted that the price of fuel for the trucks is a whole other issue.
Mr. Yuknat stated that he never raised his prices to the WPCA when he got the first increase to 4.5 cents on December 30, 2003. He noted that the price rose to 5 cents on March 1, 2004. Mr. Yuknat stated that he has continued to charge the old rate. He noted that the rate was adjusted in January 2004 to a little under 6 cents per gallon with a tipping rate of 4.5 cents. Mr. Yuknat stated that there had not been an increase in the hauling fee for the previous five years because there was nothing in the contract that allowed an increase. He stated that March 1, 2005 the rate increased .5 cents per gallon and he failed to pass that along. Mr. Yuknat stated that when the rate went up to 7.5 cents in July, he realized that he would have to readjust the price yet again. He explained
that he did put together a supplemental bill for the gallonage from March 1 to June 30 when he stopped the Mattabasett run for a total of $2,482.00.
Mr. Yuknat stated that from July 1 to August 18, 2005 they again adjusted for fuel only to make the trip to Hartford. He explained that the trucks burn 1 gallon every six miles and equates to $30.00 a trip which converts to a little over ½ a cent in fuel alone for bringing it to Hartford. Mr. Yuknat stated that this brings the total cost to 11 cents per gallon, tipping and trucking fees. He stated that he charges Westbrook Malls 15 to 15.5 cents and Suburban Sanitation is charging 16.5 cents per gallon. Mr. Yuknat stated that his charge to the Town just covers his overhead as his costs are 9.5 cents per gallon. He indicated that he intends to hold this cost through the end of the year as long as gas prices do not increase drastically.
Mr. Yuknat stated that he has sent Ms. Grogan a few bills, one for davits to lift the pumps out of the tanks. He noted that one of the pumps is currently being rebuilt. Mr. James stated that the permit needs to be reapplied for as it expires in April 2006. Mr. Yuknat stated that they may want to apply for an extension to the permit.
Mr. Yuknat stated that he put a system in at Point O Woods that complies with the Code. He noted that the DEP was invited to the site and offered no assistance and they now apparently think that the system installed required their approval. He noted that the ammonia level has been reduced from 81 to .12 and the nitrogen level is not even 1, on a leaching system that they say couldn’t work. Mr. Rose agreed. He indicated that he heard that the DEP has written a five page letter to him questioning why they were not consulted for an alternate-type septic system. Mr. Yuknat stated that it is not an alternate system as it is in the Public Health Code. He explained that they spent two hours with three State Officials and they never received a response.
Mr. Yuknat stated that it is becoming obvious that the treatment plants do not have the capacity to treat the septage that is being pumped. He noted that all along the shoreline there are new programs requiring pump-outs. Mr. Yuknat stated that education is working and the pump-outs are increasing. He stated that Hartford is the only place that has it’s arms open to accepting septage from the shoreline. Mr. Yuknat stated that many years ago they discussed dewatering, which has become quite popular in many parts of the nation. He explained that this process takes the solids out of the septage and leaves basically 90 plus percent of the pollution removed from it. Mr. Yuknat stated that he has worked with the City Manager of New London and he now has a building that he has an option
to purchase directly next to the transfer station in New London under the bridges. He explained that Shoreline Sanitation owns a piece of property in Old Lyme upon which he has been hauling 3 or 4 million gallons in and out of for many years. He stated that he has not had one registered complaint. Mr. Yuknat stated that the logical place to do any dewatering would be in Old Lyme on his industrial piece of property. He stated that he has a tenant that is willing to come into this building in New London to work on alternate septic system designs and this person needs material to work with. He stated that Hartford has to work on how they can take the solids.
Mr. Yuknat stated that he is going to have to construct a 40’ x 40’ building on his property that has a grinder and a strainer to chop the septage. He noted that because they are moving the septage more there will be a little more odor. Mr. Yuknat stated that there should not be a Zoning issue, although he will have to go before the Planning Commission. Mr. Yuknat stated that if this is all accomplished he will be able to readjust his tipping and transfer fees.
Mr. Roberts questioned whether the Commission needs to take any action in order to facilitate the payment of the invoices for the increased fees, as discussed earlier. Mr. Yuknat suggested that the Commission change their fee by at least .5 cents for fuel. Mr. Gassman stated that Old Lyme should be at 7.5 to 8 cents now. Mr. Yuknat suggested going from 6 cents to 6.5 or 7 cents.
Mr. Roberts stated that he believes they could find a piece of property in Old Lyme and they could air-spray into forest land. Mr. Yuknat stated that he has thought of that, but noted that it will still have to be transported. He indicated that a discharge permit is difficult to get, although not impossible. Mr. Yuknat stated that there is no legislation that will not allow it, but it will be difficult to get and the easiest way would be to bring it to New London. Mr. Roberts stated that in 1943, before he went away to war, he studied that process in college in Illinois. He noted that it is 62 years later and they still cannot get it done.
Mr. Breunig stated that Shoreline does 90 percent of the pump-outs in Old Lyme. He questioned why the other haulers do not get more work. Mr. Yuknat replied that they charge more to go out of Town (into Old Lyme) as he charges more to go to Old Saybrook.
Chairman’s Report
Mr. James stated that he has gone through the delinquent list and he came up with 246 properties that have not been pumped since 1997 or earlier. He indicated that of those, several have been pumped since the list was produced. Mr. Rose stated that 100 of those are scheduled to be pumped within the next month and Gary Yuknat has 30 or so of Mr. Garvin’s to pump in early November. Mr. James stated that when it comes down to the 100 or so that will not pump for whatever reason, the fee schedule should kick in. He noted that some have been sent a letter and have submitted their fee and others have not. Mr. James indicated that there appears to be a discrepancy in the system that should be looked at. Mr. O’Connor stated that if a property owner still does not pump, the
Sanitarian should pull their permit to discharge. Mr. James stated that permits to discharge have not been issued for every single property.
Mr. Rose stated that eventually these properties will come onto the Real Estate Market and when research is done there will not be a permit to discharge. Mr. O’Connor stated that this happened on a sale on Jericho Drive.
Mr. Breunig stated that Old Saybrook has not done anything with their delinquent pumpers to date. He noted that they have given up to a two-year extension for some properties. Mr. James stated that he is concerned about the sense of equity. He noted that all non-pumpers should have the same penalties. Mr. O’Connor stated that all of these people should be issued letters indicating that there is a fine and if the fine is not paid their permit to discharge will be revoked.
The Commission reviewed Mr. Roberts letter to the Commissioner of the DEP and discussed whether the letter should come from Mr. Roberts directly or from the Water Pollution Control Authority.
A motion was made by Mervin Roberts and seconded by Roger Breunig that the letter be sent on Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority stationery as written.
Mr. Rose stated that the letter speaks the truth. He indicated that he also believes that the WPCA should follow through and take legal action.
Mr. Roberts withdrew his motion and Mr. Roberts withdrew his second to the motion.
The Commission discussed this in great detail and finally resolved to make a few changes to the letter and mail as soon as possible on WPCA letterhead.
A motion was made by Mervin Roberts and seconded by Roger Breunig to send the letter to the Commissioner on WPCA letterhead with the changes agreed upon; so voted unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. on a motion by Roger Breunig and seconded by Dimitry Tolchinski. So voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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