OLD LYME WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY COMMISSION
MINUTES
Regular meeting
Thursday January 19th, 7.30pm
Second floor Conference Room
Memorial Town Hall
52, Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT06371
Chairman Dimitri Tolchinski called the meeting to order at 7.30pm, and welcomed new secretary Stacey Pamplin.
Voting members present: Dimitri Tolchinski, George James, Dan McFadden, Mervin Roberts.
Alternate Members present: David Redfield and Louis Russo.
Also present: Brian Curtis- WPCA Engineer, Narcy Dubicki – WPCA Attorney, Stephen Dix, Bill Folland, Bonnie Reemsnyder (First selectwoman), Mary Jo Nosal (Selectwoman), Kurt Zemba, Todd Machnik, John Flower, Chris Kerr, and Ron Rose Town Sanitarian.
Absent Members: Aimee Eberly, Louisa Grogan, Keith Czarnecki.
Roger Breunig was on the conference call from Florida.
To make a quorum, the Chairman moved an Alternate David Redfield to Voting Member for this meeting.
2. Approval of November 17, 2011 meeting minutes:
The Chairman welcomed discussion of the November minutes. Roger Breunig opened a discussion about the following sentence:
“They understand that it is not up to the homeowner’s choice or within the homeowner’s ability to solve these problems. The State DEEP would approve 2 choices: community septic systems or public sewers.”
Roger asked for clarification from the Chairman as to who are “They” and who from the DEEP said there were only 2 choices, and informed the Chairman by request, of alternative possibilities such as on site systems.
- The Chairman made a motion to remove these sentences from the minutes and approve the minutes. Motion was seconded by Dan McFadden. Motion passed 5-0-0.
The Chairman’s report was read by the secretary.
Chairman’s Report January 19, 2012
Year 2011 was a very busy year for Old Lyme WPCA Commission Members, and for me as the Chairman.
The Commission meetings became very tense, long by time and very emotional some times. But I thank all WPCA Members for giving me the opportunity to be the Chairman for this time.
I think that every member of our Commission was putting as much afford in his or her volunteering work with only one thing in mind, which was to do only what is the best for the whole Town.
What we have established during the last year was something very important, which was to offer to the Town as an alternative to the Public Sewers- the already proven Community Septic Systems.
Presently the solution, to be in compliance with the State DEEP requirements does not include Alternative Technology. For the properties with high ground water tables and very small lots 10,000sq.ft. or less is the only legal solution is ether the Community Septic systems or the Public Sewer.
On December 6, 2011 WPCA made a Presentation to the Town of Old Lyme Commissions, Committees, Board Members and other interested people.
This Presentation was very educational for all of them. Many people present supported Community Septic Systems as preferable alternative to the Sewers. Many thanks to our engineer Brian Curtis for the terrific job he did presenting our idea, possibility of Community Septic Systems in Old Lyme.
WPCA did its job. Now we must wait and see what the Community will choose. Our mission accomplished.
But we can also improve our regulations and ordinances, so that State alternate septic systems can be legally used in Old Lyme when they are approved.
We have to ask the State to help us financially to provide the Study on the Town Septic System situation.
Time tells us that we should be ready to offer the Solution to our septic systems issues before it’s too late.
The correct solution is to bring all Town’s Septic Systems TO BE IN COMPLIANCE NOT ONLY WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT ALSO WITH THE STATE DEEP.
Thank you for all your help to me and to the Town.
Dimitri Tolchinski, Chairman WPCA Old Lyme
No comments were raised.
The Chairman informed the attendees that the Community Septic System Idea and the provided presentation given on Dec 6th 2011 was approved by WPCA Commission Members.
- Election of Chairman, Vice, Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
Chairman Dimitri Tolchinski welcomed voting members to elect their preference for each position. Roger Breunig nominated Keith Czarnecki as Chairman, Dan McFadden seconded. There was a correction from Kurt Zemba-Moderator that, because Mr. Breunig was not present at the Meeting, he does not have any rights to participate in the election.
Motion was not valid.
Member Dan McFadden nominated absent Member Keith Czarnecki to be the Chairman of WPCA. There was no second. Motion did not carry.
- Mervin Roberts motioned for Dimitri Tolchinski to continue as Chairman, seconded by David Redfield. Commission voted 3-1-1. Motion passed.
- The Chairman Dimitri Tolchinski nominated Dan McFadden for the Vice Chairman of WPCA Commission. Mervin Roberts seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0
- The Chairman Dimitri Tolchinski nominated Louisa Grogan for Treasurer-Secretary. Motion was seconded by Dan McFadden. Motion was passed 5-0-0
5.Organizing committee for revising existing WPCA regulations and ordinances (2 WPCA members, Brian Curtis and Nancy Dubicki).
The Chairman spoke to the Commission about getting new systems in place in local communities, and highlighted that the time will come when we need new septic systems in town. Many local people may be confused in thinking WPCA were going to take open space to use for community septic systems however, this is not the case, and there are other options available. He suggested the WPCA nominate two of their members to investigate these options further. Mervin Roberts disagreed and felt this is WPCA’s main reason for existing, and they should work closely with the other relevant associations in this matter. After discussion it was agreed amongst the commissioners to work as a team , but to nominate two members (Roger Breunig and Dan McFadden) to take assignments from the commission for specific matters, and be
the main contacts for WPCA regarding alternative septic systems. Other attendees made suggestions for the WPCA which will be followed up by the two nominees.
6.Budget Report.
Louisa Grogan-Treasurer was not present. There was no budget report, however the Chairman informed the WPCA members that they still have 50% of their budget available at the moment, until the end of the financial year in June.
7.Sanitarians Report.
Ron Rose read the sanitarians report to the commission, and gave handouts of the septic pump out figures to members. No questions or comments were received.
Ron Rose told the Commission that some of the beach associations are concerned that they will be over paying for their waste. A letter was read aloud to the commission by Ron Rose. The letter was sent by Mr.Greci-Supervising Sanitary Engineer from the State DEEP. In his letter he explained and clarified some of the rules and regulations regarding septic systems, community sewage systems and beach communities in the local area and welcomed any questions regarding this matter. The group discussed some rules and regulations, other options for homeowners, and how to become more educated in this subject as a community.
Bonnie Reemsnyder reminded the WPCA of a vote by the beach communities that will take place in August. She suggested building trust & good relationships with the beach communities as well as working together, and sharing options to allow beach communities to make an educated decision when they vote in August.
9.New business
The Chairman declared his appreciation to the those from the Selectman's Office that had attended the meeting. He feels the WPCA is approaching a new point and the involvement of the Selectman’s Office will help them move forward.
Bill Folland stressed his concern to the group regarding the suggestions put forward by the WPCA to the beach community regarding a community sewage system. He also stressed that WPCA must build a trust with other boards, and felt the WPCA was self defeating if this could not be achieved.
Todd Machnik, a licensed well driller told the group he felt two sections from the previous minutes should be removed. This suggestion was not approved by the commission.
He further stated that in his opinion there are discrepancies in the figures of pump out tickets and failing pumps in the area. A discussion between Todd Machnik and the Chairman took place in order to clarify the origin of the figures. Todd Machnik showed the group photos of wells used to extract data in other studies. He stated that the wells were not fit to be used for data analysis as they were incorrectly positioned and uncared for in cases. The Chairman noted these concerns, however, no further actions will be taken.
Kurt Zemba , after being asked to look at the minutes, made a suggestion to the Chairman that the minutes from the WPCA meetings be reduced significantly, and offered help with this should the Chairman want it. The Chairman noted this suggestion.
Mervin Roberts advisably stated that the State of Connecticut DEEP had previously lied repeatedly to the Point of Woods beach community regarding Pollution and Septic System Failures and feels the same lies are being repeated now. He strongly feels that they twist things around, and we are faced with a conspiracy revolving around money as properties are potentially worth more when it has year round water. He stated the Sanitary Board is competent and honorable, but yet we are told there is pollution.
Chairman Dimitri Tolchinski made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mervin Roberts, unanimous vote 5-0-0.
Meeting adjourned By Dimitri at 9.30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Pamplin, Secretary
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