APPROVED
OLD LYME WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2006
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall. Those present and voting were Tom Risom (Chairman), Mervin Roberts, Dmitry Tolchinsky, Joe O’Connor, Michael Dickey and Clayton Penniman. Also present was Ron Rose, Sanitarian.
Chairman Risom called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Election of Officers
The Commission discussed the position of Vice Chair. Mr. Rose noted that Mr. Breunig has let everyone know up front that he is out of town from December to April each year.
Mr. O’Connor noted that there are a number of WPCA members that do not attend meetings often. He stated that if these people don’t want to be on the Commission it would be best to replace them.
Mr. Risom suggested writing the Republican and Democrat Town Committees and letting them know that their members on the Commission are not attending and asking them to consider nominating a replacement through the Selectmen. He stated that it would be good to get new people on the Commission. Mr. Risom indicated that he will talk to Tim Griswold to discuss the best way to handle this situation.
Minutes
A motion was made by Dimitry Tolchinsky, seconded by Mervin Roberts and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2006 Regular Meeting.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose stated that he attended a conference and brought back literature on toilets that use one tenth of the water of a regular toilet. He indicated that they are very expensive and it would not be feasible to use in cottages at the beach.
Mr. Rose stated that Gary Yuknat has been working with presses at his facility. Mr. Rose stated that the process works well and saves money. Mr. Risom stated that the municipal facilities all want the septage thinner so the solids are squeezed out. He noted that in Connecticut, the solids can be brought to the landfill. Mr. Risom stated that the Towns have to pay to get rid of the water. Mr. Rose noted that Old Lyme’s gallonage have gone up considerably. Mr. Risom asked that Ms. Swaney put a gallonage total for the previous year next to this years total gallonage.
Mr. Rose stated that the DEP has said that nothing can be discharged into the ground water without a permit from the DEP. He noted that all homes that have a water softener, other than Culligan, are in violation of the State Code if they are discharging it into their septic system. Mr. Rose stated that the DEP will not advise the Towns in this regard. He indicated that in order to force the issue, he is urging residents to call the DEP for guidance. Mr. Tolchinsky explained water softening systems to the Commission.
Mr. Tolchinksy explained that the work on the brook has not been completed. Mr. Rose explained that the area that goes under Pond Road and out to the Sound has not been piped. Mr. Risom indicated that he was under the impression that the pipe was going right to the water. Mr. Tolchinsky stated that they stopped because they ran out of money. He indicated that the pipe stops at the same point it previously did.
Mr. Rose stated that there were two properties that he believed were discharging into this pipe. He noted that it turns out that they were not, it was their neighbors. Mr. Rose stated that Mr. Yuknat has replaced these septic systems. He explained that the owner of the homes that he thought had problems has agreed to a dye test. Mr. Risom noted that there are test wells nearby and the counts can be checked in the spring.
Mr. O’Connor stated that fines for not pumping are now legal. He stated that there are also late pumping fees, as before. Mr. O’Connor stated that a fine will not be instituted until after two late pumping fees have been assessed and the WPCA meets and agrees that the property owner should be fined. Mr. Risom pointed out that the WPCA is not bound to charge fines, as the wording indicates “may.” Mr. O’Connor indicated that he will distribute copies of the revised WPCA Regulations.
Mr. Penniman stated that he teaches an introductory environmental science class. He noted that the first lab he generally does is a drinking water lab where the students take the bottles home for samples. Mr. Penniman noted that one result, using the membrane filter technique, the filter was covered with thermal tolerant bacteria. He indicated that he spoke with student who indicated that he lives in one of Old Lyme’s beach areas and they have a metal water tank under the house. Mr. Penniman stated that he has never seen a result such as this and instructed the student to have the water professionally tested. He indicated that the student was not sure how the tank was filled. Mr. Tolchinsky stated that he knows of a few homes with water storage tanks. Mr. Risom noted that
tanks are used to collect water on Block Island, but also noted that the water is not used for drinking water.
Mr. Roberts stated that he once again wrote to the Governor on February 28, 2006. He stated that a few days later he received a phone call from Bill Hogan. Mr. Roberts stated that he wrote a quick note to Mr. Hogan inviting him to any WPCA Meeting that he was able to attend, providing him with dates and times. Mr. Roberts noted that he has not heard back. He indicated that he also wrote a letter that was published in the Harford Courant.
At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Tolchinsky made a motion to adjourn. Mr. O’Connor seconded; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Clerk
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