Water Pollution Control Authority
Special Meeting
Tuesday July 16, 2013
Minutes
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Members present: Kurt Zemba, Ernest Lorda, Dimitri Tolchinski, Donna Bednar, Tom Risom, Rob McCarthy, Frank Chan, Doug Wilkinson
Absent: Andrea Lombard, alternate
Also present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
Call to Order
WPCA Chair Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:03pm.
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By- Laws Update
Kurt reported that he has received feedback on potential WPCA attorney(s) from Tom Risom and Dimitri Tolchinski. Sanitarian Sonia Marino is pursuing.
Kurt hopes that an attorney will be engaged by the August 13 WPCA meeting. He/she will be asked to review the By-Law changes presented at the July meeting and indicate:
- What the WPCA cannot do
- What the WPCA does not have to do (because it is covered elsewhere)
- What the WPCA can do
The attorney’s recommendation(s) will guide WPCA members in making any By-Law decisions.
Wastewater Management Project Information Meeting Preparation
Kurt reported that he contacted Frank Pappalardo of the Sound View Association and has arranged for WPCA members to be present on the morning of Saturday, August 3 at the Shoreline Community Center to distribute informational handouts and answer questions. This will be an informal gathering – not a formal presentation. SV Association volunteers will also be present for their regular weekend donut sales.
Members discussed how they will answer questions from shoreline residents about septic system compliance issues, and agreed they will explain that a compliance assessment process will be developed at a future date.
Donna Bednar distributed a Facing the Issues draft document she prepared for the July 30 Public Information Session. Members reviewed the document and made specific editing recommendations. A copy of a marked up document is attached as part of these minutes. Donna will incorporate recommended changes and send the final draft to WPCA members, First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and David Prickett of Woodard & Curran.
Members discussed how residents will be informed of this and future Information Sessions. The dates of upcoming meetings and the Public Access program schedule will be added to the handout. Cathy will send Public Access program air dates to Donna.
Notice will be posted on the Town website and sent to the Federation of Beaches.
A suggestion was made to include information about the Study in the Fall Town newsletter (Old Lyme Events). The deadline for the newsletter is July 26.
In addition, a letter will be mailed to residents when the final study results are available.
Kurt suggested and members agreed on a format for the Public Information Session:
- Introduction by First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder (approx. 2 minutes)
- Information about the Study by Woodard & Curran ( 10 to 15 minutes)
- Questions (Kurt will moderate & refer questions to Bonnie, Woodard & Curran, or a WPCA member)
- Comments
The August 13 WPCA meeting will include a report from Sanitarian Sonia Marino but will primarily focus on preparing for the August 27 Information Session. Where possible, other WPCA business will be deferred to the regular September meeting.
Adjournment
A motion as made by Tom Risom, seconded by Frank Chan, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Catherine Frank
7/17/13
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
FACING THE ISSUES
Old Lyme is a unique community with small town charm. We believe that a community solution will preserve what we all love about Old Lyme. Replace 2nd sentence with statement about “preserving & protecting our resources?
Why Are We Conducting This Study?
- In the early 1980’s, the State of CT DEP targeted Shoreline Communities in an attempt to connect them to centralized Wastewater Treatment Facilities. This was the DEP’s answer to water pollution in Long Island Sound
- In the early 1990’s, the Town of Old Lyme created a Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) and their mission was Sewer Avoidance. Explain why (eg “in the belief that not all homeowners with failed septic systems needed sewers;or in the belief that there are local solutions for our local problems”) To support this effort, the Town has monitored ground water pollution, required regular septic pump outs, and aided homeowners in repairs when their septic systems have failed.
- Add bullet about the need to preserve water quality; water as a finite resource?
There are some densely developed areas of town that do not have building lots large enough to accommodate on-site septic systems that comply with CT DEEP requirements. The Old Lyme WPCA is working with the CT DEEP to determine the most cost effective waste water treatment option for these areas of our town. That project will be eligible for 55% reimbursement from CT’s clean water funds.
In the past 5 years, one Chartered Beach Association has installed sewers that connect to the New London Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, and two other Chartered Beach Associations are under Consent Order by the CT DEEP to comply by June, 2016. One other Chartered Beach Association has begun a study to determine if they should hook up as well.
- It is time for our town to understand what waste water treatment options are available to us. Woodard & Curran will provide us with detailed build and life cycle cost comparisons between regional and community waste water treatment options. Move 2nd sentence to next section
The Woodard & Curran Waste Water Treatment Study Will Also:
- Determine wastewater needs in project areas (basically the shoreline up to White Sand Beach)
- Determine feasibility of a Community based solution
- Evaluate community wastewater collection, treatment, and, dispersal alternatives
- Secure grant funding
- Develop Recommended Plan and Implementation Schedule
What are the Benefits of A Community Sewage Treatment Alternative?
- We will not be connected to a regional waste water treatment facility, which may not have the capacity to handle our waste. The cost associated with future expansion of a regional facility that currently has little if any excess capacity is uncertain. Conveyance of our waste water to New London would require transfer fees to use our neighboring town’s existing infrastructure (ie.pipes).
- Lombardo Associates, Inc. (LAI) performed a study that indicated the cost to build and maintain a community sewage treatment system would be less when compared to the costs associated with traditional gravity sewer conveyance to the New London treatment facility. Important to include because it illustrates that the Town is looking for second opinion
- We are proposing investigating a community solution, which will give us more control over costs and future development decisions for our community. Move to top of section
- A community treatment system keeps groundwater in our town, where it can recharge our aquifers. Delete : Most experts agree that Water is one of our most valuable assets and a finite resource that will become more precious in the future.
Old Lyme can become a model for other small communities that want to address their wastewater needs locally.
- We will stop contributing not be adding to the pollution of Long Island Sound. The CT DEEP has mandated that shoreline communities address ground water pollution resulting from inadequate waste water treatment. Move this bullet to 1st section
Homeowners benefit because their drinking water will be protected from contamination by their wastewater system. All of us benefit from cleaner water in the Long Island Sound, which means fewer days that the beaches are closed due to high coliform bacteria counts.
A community solution provides the best opportunity for reuse/recycle solutions which is good for the environment. We can choose to build a sustainable facility. The cost associated with using renewable energy sources to power our treatment facility could be paid for in part through state and federal grant funds.
Implementation of a community system can be phased in, as the needs of our neighborhoods are evaluated and understood.
- Homes that have a CT DEEP compliant on-site sewage system will not be required to participate???????? Delete this bullet
- Add concluding sentence or paragraph; state that final study is due in August; list forthcoming dates for Public Presentations & Public Access programs
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