APPROVED
TOWN OF OLD LYME
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2005
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, September 15, 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 (Acting Vice-Chairman), Louisa Grogan, Roger Breunig, Michael Dickey and Amy Eberly. Also present was Ron Rose, Sanitarian.
Mr. James called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He introduced new member Amy Eberly to the Commission.
Approval of Minutes of the June 16, 2005 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Roger Breunig, seconded by Mervin Roberts and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2005 Regular Meeting.
Chairman’s Report
Mr. James indicated that Gary Yuknat was not able to attend the meeting this evening and is planning to attend the October 20, 2005 Regular Meeting.
Mr. James stated that the Rogers Lake Area is extremely compliant with pump-outs, with only 8 that there are no records for pump-outs. He indicated that these eight are out of approximately 90 homes. Mr. Rose stated that he has a list of 393 in the entire Town who have not pumped in seven years. He noted that 39 of these belong to Garvin. Mr. James read a letter from Gary Yuknat to the WPCA regarding Mattabassett’s raising their rates by three cents per gallon. Mr. James stated that they will discuss this with Gary at the October meeting. He noted that Shoreline Sanitation will also be limited to two deliveries per day. Mr. James stated that it appears that Old Lyme is overwhelming Mattabassett. Mr. Breunig noted that now that almost everyone has complied with the
mandatory pump-outs, the gallons should drop considerably.
Mr. Roberts questioned whether the WPCA could revisit the law as it relates to the spraying of gray water on forest land. Mr. Rose stated that Old Lyme approached this with the DEP years ago. Mr. Roberts stated that Mr. Machnic has indicated that he would allow it on one acre in the middle of a 35 acre parcel that he would set aside for that purpose. Mr. Rose stated that it is worth looking into again.
Mr. James stated that he was asked at the last WPCA meeting to write a letter to the Zoning Commission on behalf of the WPCA regarding Sound View. He noted that in this letter he pointed out that all State Regulations for septic systems still apply to this area. Mr. Tolchinski stated that the letter does not need to be sent because everyone is aware that the State Regulations need to be met. Mr. Rose stated that there are currently two applications for affordable housing and in this case the Zoning Regulations will be overlooked. He noted that the septic requirements must still be met. The Commission agreed that Mr. James should send the letter to the Zoning Commission.
Mr. James stated that he also was asked to respond to Commissioner McCarthy’s letter of April 20, 2005. He indicated that in her letter it stated “an existing water pollution condition exists in Old Lyme.” Mr. James stated that the WPCA is emphatic that there is not and after speaking with Marion Guiliano, he feels this comment should be addressed. Mr. Rose pointed out that the DEP has been saying this for years and still have not been able to show the Town where the pollution is. Mr. Roberts stated that the Town should also be sure not to accept money from the DEP to study pollution because once the Town does, they are admitting pollution. Mr. James stated that before he sends a letter to Commissioner McCarthy he would like to have it reviewed by Ms. Guiliano.
Mr. Roberts stated that he wrote a similar letter to the Governor and one of her Office Managers responded which indicated that the DEP would respond within two weeks. Mr. Roberts stated that it has been more than two weeks and he is still awaiting a response from DEP. The Commission agreed that Mr. James should send this letter after review by Ms. Guiliano.
Mr. O’Connor stated that Attorney Wells responded to the Commission’s questions. He noted that the Commission questioned fines and fees and Attorney Wells replied that fees are already in the Regulations. Mr. O’Connor stated that if a homeowner has never pumped they cannot be fined and a fee is questionable. He indicated that they may want to change the WPCA Regulations to enable this. Mr. O’Connor suggested that the Commission not make the change as, for the most part, things are moving forward. Mr. Rose suggested sending postcards to these homeowners reminding them of the pump-out policy. The Commission agreed to leave the Regulations as they are for the time being and to send out postcard reminders to delinquent homeowners. They also agreed that Mr.
Garvin be notified of his properties that are not in compliance.
Budget
Ms. Grogan stated that she has invoices from Shoreline, one of which is for the dumping fee increase at Mattabassett. She noted that this is for 496,440 gallons at $.05 per gallon for a total of $2,482.00. Ms. Grogan stated that she is not sure who should be charged for this. Mr. Rose stated that it should go to the Selectmen’s capitol budget. She noted that a second invoice is for 261,970 gallons at $.06 per gallon. Mr. James stated that he would pass both invoices on to the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Grogan stated that she has additional invoices that she would normally authorize. She indicated that these invoices have the new transport fee and the Hartford NBC Dumping fee. Mr. Rose suggested getting the back-up for these invoices from Gary Yuknat as he would like
to be sure these are from Old Colony before payment is authorized.
New Business/Correspondence
Mr. Tolchinski stated that the new pipe in Old Colony is working well. He noted that the Sheffield Brook is not rushing like it used to.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that the nitrates level of the system installed in Point O Woods is under 2. He noted that the other counts are fantastic. Mr. Rose indicated that the system that the State won’t approve is working very well.
Mr. Rose distributed his monthly reports.
Adjournment
At 8:35 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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