Water Pollution Control Authority
Tuesday November 12, 2013
Minutes
Present: WPCA members Rich Prendergast, Rob McCarthy, Donna Bednar, Frank Chan, Dimitri Tolchinski, Doug Wilkinson, Ernest Lorda, Kurt Zemba; alternate Andrea Lombard; First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal; Sanitarian Sonia Marino;WPCA engineer Brian Curtis
Absent/excused: WPCA Vice Chair Tom Risom
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1. Chairman Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:30pm, and appointed alternate Andrea Lombard as a voting member for the meeting in Tom Risom’s absence.
~2. Approval of the Minutes – October 08, 2013
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Doug Wilkinson, to approve the minutes. Motion passed.
3. Correspondence - none
4. Chairman’s Report – Gen Comments / December Meeting Dates
Kurt would like to change the December meeting date to Thursday, December 12 at 7pm.
Members concurred and the Meeting Hall is available. Cathy will notify the Town Clerk of the change. The date change will give members time to review Woodard & Curran’s final report.
Kurt updated members on a conference call that took place on 11/12/13 among First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, David Prickett of Woodard & Curran, Dennis Greci and Carlos Esquerra of the DEEP, and Kurt. Dave Prickett will be meeting with the DEEP to review the final Wastewater project report and recommendations. Kurt said the DEEP and WPCA members will receive copies of the final report simultaneously. He asked that Donna Bednar and the communications committee be prepared with suggestions for Public Information materials and sessions on December 12.
A meeting will be scheduled among Attorney Andrew Lord, Kurt and Doug to discuss the necessary WPCA accounting structure. Attorney Lord will meet with Finance Director Nicole Stajduhar to review the structure. For example, Stormwater Management and the Wastewater Project will require separate sub-accounts within the WPCA budget.
- Proposed Land Discussion – Update on Actions for Land Rev
There are many alternatives to consider. Kurt, Rob, and Bonnie will work with Attorney Lord to make sure the new budget proposal includes any necessary funding for land needed for the project, e.g. purchasing land for the Wastewater facility.
5. First Selectwoman’s Update on 11/1 Address to CT Association of WPCAs
Bonnie said that the presentation went well. She presented an overview of Old Lyme’s history with sewer avoidance and wastewater management. Dave Prickett provided an overview of the current wastewater project. Dennis Greci and Carlos Esquerra were present, as were representatives from Old Lyme Shores, Old Colony Beach and Fuss & O’Neill.
During the 11/12/13 conference call, the DEEP indicated that they were considering a request from the two Old Lyme beaches to issue an order for conveyance to the regional facility through East Lyme.
Bonnie, Kurt, and Dave objected and asked the DEEP to wait for Woodard & Curran’s final report. The DEEP agreed.
Bonnie reiterated to the WPCA that the Town wants to work together with the beach associations to resolve the wastewater issue. She does not believe it is appropriate for the DEEP to involve itself in the relationship between the Town and its beach associations. She has offered to attend beach association meetings at any time. She is hoepful the DEEP will honor its commitment to supporting the wastewater alternative that is deemed the “best” for the Old Lyme community.
Sanitarian Sonia Marino expressed concern that residents of the beach associations do not seem to have information about their association wastewater projects. Rich Prendergast and Andrea Lombard, residents of different beach associations, concurred that association leadership does not appear to be communicating with their residents.
Kurt would like the WPCA to communicate directly with shoreline residents. He would also like to start issuing a press release after each WPCA meeting to keep residents updated on the project.
6. Wastewater Management Project Discussion
- Open Questions: Fielding by W & Consultants --Selectwomen Nosal
Kurt recounted that a Wastewater study conducted by Lombardo & Associates provided the background used by the Wastewater Management Task Force/WPCA in developing the RFQ for the current wastewater project. The Lombardo discussed the possibility of STEP/STEG alternative systems. Woodard & Curran has been asked why those alternatives are not being pursued. Kurt asked Dave Prickett to prepare a memo summarizing why Woodard & Curran is recommending a gravity sewer, not STEP/STEG, as our local alternative.
A copy of Dave’s memo and accompanying tables is attached to the minutes. Woodard & Curran’s memo cites five distinct advantages to gravity over STEP/STEG:
- Disposal and Reuse considerations would mean significantly higher operating and life cycle costs for STEP/STEG
- Septic tank function efficiency is critical for STEP/STEG and Woodard & Curran estimate that at least 50% of our shoreline septic systems would need to be repaired or replaced for use with STEP/STEG
- Woodard & Curran operate the only municipal STEP/STEG system in New England (Gloucester, MA) and anticipate considerable challenges with STEP/STEG in Old Lyme based upon their actual experience with the system
- A gravity system is more conducive to emergency planning and weather resiliency in a shoreline area
- The estimated cost to individual residents would 9 to 16% higher for STEP/STEG
Dimitri stated that he believes 100% (not 50%) of the septic systems in use in the shoreline area would need to be replaced for a STEP/STEG system.
Members agreed it was necessary to continue addressing questions to help residents understand what the wastewater project entails.
7.~ Sanitarian’s Report – Sonia Marino
Kurt recognized WPCA engineer Brian Curtis from Jacobson & Associates to review the DEEP permitting of our septage transfer station, and the WPCA’s ongoing surface and groundwater monitoring program.
The Town holds a permit for a Septage Transfer Station operated in town by Shoreline Sanitation. This enables companies that pump septic tanks in town to transfer the septage locally instead of having to transport it. Brian stated this is a unique operation.
Brian has been working with the DEEP on the renewal process, gathering and providing necessary reports.
Members agreed they want the Permit to stay in the Town’s name and would like to invite Gary Yuknat, Shoreline Sanitation, to attend a future WPCA meeting and talk about his transfer operation. Bonnie encouraged WPCA members to contact Gary and tour his facility.
Brian also reviewed the monitoring program that has been in place since the late 1990s. He showed maps of the sampling sites located in Town. Testing has typically been conducted once or twice annually. He will send WPCA members digital versions of the maps.
Members asked about the type of testing possible, e.g. pesticide testing. Brian did test Town Woods Park a few years ago for pesticides and the result was negative. The Town no longer tests in Point ‘o Woods but members expressed interest in reestablishing those testing sites, specifically to determine if the regional sewer connection had impacted test results.
Members agreed they would like to see information about the test wells and septic systems included in a layer for the Town’s GIS system. Ernest has experience with this and volunteered to work with Brian to develop data into the necessary format.
GIS costs will have to be included in the proposed WPCA budget.
Sonia Marino distributed a Sanitarian’s Report (attached). She is creating an FAQ sheet for residents and will include information about the Wastewater project on that sheet. Her department also developed an application form for building conversions/change of use requests that will help residents through the approval process and provide historical data for the Health department.
Sonia congratulated Health Dept. Administrative Assistant Patti Myers on completing Sub-Surface Phase I and Soils training. Patti can conduct some field work, enabling Sonia to concentrate on other areas.
8. Old Business - None
9. New Business - None
10. Public Comment –- None
11. Adjournment
A motion was made by Rich Prendergast, seconded by Ernest Lorda, to adjourn at 9:17pm. Meeting adjourned.
Catherine Frank
11/14/13
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