APPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2005
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were George James (Acting Chairman), Dimitri Tolchinski, Joe O’Connor, Mervin Roberts, Louisa Grogan, Michael Dickey and Roger Breunig (arrived at 7:55 p.m.). Also present was Ron Rose, Sanitarian.
Mr. James called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes of the April 21, 2005 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Mervin Roberts, seconded by Michael Dickey and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2005 Regular Meeting.
Chairman’s Report
Mr. James offered a reminder that at the April Meeting the Commission agreed to send a letter to the Zoning Commission stating that they are to comply with Health Department/WPCA Regulations with respect to community septic systems.
Mr. Rose stated that Point O Woods is paying upwards of $600,000.00 to New London to use their system. He indicated that New London is already 600,000 gallons over. Mr. Rose stated that although the State has approved all this, there is a law that prevents the State from requiring sewerage treatment until all alternate type systems are looked at. He stated that he believes this should be brought to the attention of the Attorney General. Mr. James stated that he was under the impression that the State had no money for Point O Woods this year. Mr. Rose stated that the State has given them $600,000.00 to buy into New London’s plant. Mr. O’Connor suggested that Attorney Wells send an appropriate letter to Point O Woods or whoever is appropriate, so that the WPCA is covered.
Mr. Rose agreed and noted that if the WPCA does not need to take any protective action, Attorney Wells will advise in this regard also.
A motion was made by Mervin Roberts to have Ron Rose contact Attorney Wells and authorize Attorney Wells to take whatever action he deems appropriate; seconded by Roger Breunig and voted unanimously.
Mr. Rose stated that the pipe installed in Old Colony has made a tremendous difference in the fecal count. He indicated that only three people have volunteered to have their septics pumped and he does not think the First Selectman will let the WPCA roll over the extra money into the 05/06 budget.
Mr. Rose stated that Point O Woods will be getting fifteen million dollars from the Clean Water Fund at two percent. He noted that Dennis Greci has the power to forgive two million of it and charge two percent over twenty or thirty years on the remainder.
Mr. James stated that he received a call from a woman on Devitt Loop stating that there is blue bubbling in the swale heading for Rogers Lake. Mr. Breunig stated that he believes a new system was put in at what was once the half-way house. Mr. Rose agreed and noted that it has been unoccupied for a year. Mr. James stated that he referred the caller to Mr. Rose.
Mr. Rose stated that he received a call from the State Health Commissioner that he would like a bathhouse down at Sound View Beach. He indicated that the Commissioner would like an explanation as to why there were only port-o-lets and who was cleaning and maintaining the port-o-lets. Mr. Rose stated that according to the Commissioner an elected official of Old Lyme called him regarding this matter. He noted that he would like to now who this elected official may be.
Mr. James stated that there are only four houses, on the left side of Rogers Lake Trail, that have not pumped. Mr. Breunig stated that last time he checked there were 14 waterfront homes that had not pumped and noted that the list is dwindling.
Mr. James stated that he received a letter from Commissioner McCarthy and distributed copies. He noted that it basically states that the Town can conduct another study to collect data.
Mr. James stated that the lawn care/pesticide bill which was to prohibit use at daycare and grammar schools grounds passed, although it has not yet been signed by the Governor. He indicated that this is a step forward.
Mr. James stated that the newsletter was sent out. He noted that pump-out notices continue to be sent. Mr. James stated that there are still 400 systems that need to be pumped, although a large number of them are on a pump-out list. Mr. James stated that the issue of fines, in association with the Assessor’s Office, still has to be worked out. Mr. Breunig stated that they should notify people that their certificate to discharge will be revoked. Mr. James stated that the five-year letters will be out by July 1. Mr. James suggested clarifying some of these issues with Attorney Wells.
Mr. Tolchinski stated that on June 14 the New London Day had an article about Rogers Lake. He stated that he thinks they should discuss community goals in this regard. Mr. Breunig stated that the State will decide whether or not chemicals are used on Rogers Lake as they will be issuing the permit. He noted that there will be a meeting next Saturday and the Lake Authority will be presenting alternate methods for people to consider. Mr. Breunig stated that these alternates are hydro-raking and harvesting. Mr. Breunig stated that hydro-raking picks up the muck, which is removed or perhaps put into the middle of the lake. Mr. Roberts stated that if it is not removed from the lake, then the nutrients are just relocated and plants will continue to grow. Mr. Breunig stated that this cost
is $160.00 per hour and has a minimum of five properties to make it worth his time. Mr. Breunig stated that the harvesting is done with cutting and removing what is cut. He stated that mill flower cuts and fragments easily so that harvesting may not be the best option.
Budget
Ms. Grogan stated that there is $26,120.00 left in the budget to June 30, 2005 so there will be money to carry-over. She stated that they carried over $5,400.00 this past year that was earmarked for testing in Old Colony which has not been used and will probably now be lost. Mr. Rose stated that the pumpers are so busy right now and he does not think it would be right to pre-pay. Mr. Rose stated that part of the remaining $26,000.00 was to hire part-time help which they have not been able to do.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that they are having problems with buses and diesel fumes on Jadon Drive. He indicated that they attempted to have the school board refrain from signing a contract with the bus company until the issue was resolved. Mr. Rose stated that two professors from Yale met with Town officials and the first solution is for the buses to use what is called a K fuel, which will reduce the pollution, along with filters on the buses. He noted that the school board signed a five-year contract with the bus company. Mr. Rose stated that he thought that the WPCA should be aware that this is happening.
Mr. Rose stated that the buses have to sit for quite awhile in the cold months to warm up to operating temperature and there is a gray fog with 25 buses running. He noted that the EPA says that people that ride for an hour on a school bus have breathing problems, i.e., inducing asthma and other chronic problems. Mr. Rose stated that any truck at Pfizer that was diesel has changed to K fuel and now has a filter. He noted that the same requirements are now mandated in Massachusetts.
Mr. Rose stated that at this time it appears that the Town will have to pay for all these changes to the buses. Mr. O’Connor stated that it would seem that the responsibility would lie with District 18.
New Business/Correspondence
Mr. Roberts questioned who was responsible for testing the sea water at Point O Woods. Mr. Rose stated that the Health Department does. Mr. Roberts stated that he was there twice recently and the water is crystal clear and the clamming is good.
Mr. James stated that he will be responding to Ms. McCarthy’s letter but would like the Commission’s approval before it is sent. Mr. Roberts stated that he sent a letter to Ms. McCarthy as a private citizen and she never responded to it.
Adjournment
At 9:28 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Dimitri Tolchinski and seconded by Mervin Roberts; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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