Town of Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority
January 9, 2013
Minutes
Present: WPCA members Rich Prendergast, Rob McCarthy, Donna Bednar, Dimitri Tolchinski, Ernest Lorda, Frank Chan, Tom Risom, Doug Wilkinson, Kurt Zemba; David Prickett of Woodard & Curran; First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder
Absent/excused: alternate Andrea Lombard
Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal and two residents were in the audience
Call to Order
- Appointment of Alternates as required
Chairman Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:37pm. All members were present; no alternate appointments required.
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Approval of the Minutes – December 12, 2013
The heading text needs to be changed from “Tuesday” to Thursday. A motion to approve the minutes with the noted correction was made by Doug Wilkinson and seconded by Tom Risom.
Motion passed.
Correspondence
- Email from Joe Wren (attached)
Referring to the correspondence, Chairman Kurt Zemba spoke about the problems faced by homeowners with failing septic systems in densely populated areas. He said the Town’s policy should be to help people avoid costly system repairs while they are waiting for an anticipated connection to a sewer system.
Tom Risom recalled the use of holding tanks at Point ‘O Woods as a temporary fix when sewers were imminent there. Sanitarian Sonia Marino stated that holding tanks are not under her jurisdiction and must be approved by the State.
Kurt suggested the WPCA develop a waiver process with specific criteria that can be added to the by-laws.
First Selectwoman’s Comments
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder thanked Woodard & Curran for their work on the Draft Report. She reiterated Kurt’s concern over the quandary people in densely populated areas face with failing septic systems.
Chairman’s Report
Doug Wilkinson and Kurt are working to establish a budget framework that follows the Cromwell WPCA model and will lend itself to use when the WPCA is managing a wastewater treatment facility.
Kurt believes the current pump-out and tipping fee schedule(s) need to be reevaluated. Tom Risom explained that the Town began its policy of reduced fees for haulers using our in-town transfer station to encourage use and enable the Town to gather data about residential septic systems.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder suggested that the WPCA By-Laws should state that fees will be evaluated per a specified schedule: e.g. every five years.
Dave Prickett noted that the proposed local wastewater treatment facility may provide a potential economic benefit to the Town as a whole. That potential benefit will need to be evaluated.
- Next Meeting to Review By Laws
By-Laws will be discussed at the February WPCA meeting.
The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 27. Kurt believes it will be premature for the WPCA to make a presentation about the Draft Plan at that meeting. A special Town Meeting may be scheduled for late February/March and a presentation can be developed for that meeting.
Kurt will be out of town, but Tom Risom will attend the January 27 meeting in case any residents have questions about the proposed Wastewater Project.
Boards & Commissions are required to hold elections for the calendar year each January.
Dimitri Tolchinski made a motion, seconded by Rich Prendergast, to re-elect Kurt Zemba as Chairman and Tom Risom as Vice Chairman for 2014. Motion passed.
Kurt Zemba made a motion, seconded by Rich Prendergast, to re-elect Doug Wilkinson as Secretary for 2014. Motion passed.
Tom Risom made a motion, seconded by Ernest Lorda, to elect Cathy Frank as WPCA Clerk for 2014. Motion passed.
Project Final Report - DEEP Review Update – Dave Prickett
David Prickett expects that the DEEP will respond with comments to the submitted draft report by the first week in February. The WPCA can discuss at their February meeting.
In reference to the possibility of waivers for the project, Dave commented that lot size is the standard “black & white” consideration for a waiver, and models exist.
He outlined anticipated project milestones, including coordination with the DEEP and distributed a schedule of critical milestones which is attached to and part of these minutes. Dave stressed that the project is still on a tight schedule although he believes it is reasonable to expect that a plan can be in place by the end of this fiscal year, so that the design phase of the project can take place during fiscal year 2015.
Rich Prendergast asked if the proposed Wastewater Project has had an impact on work at the former Cherrystones’ Restaurant, and the response was an emphatic no. Kurt and Dave concurred that the new restaurant owner is not involved in land discussions for the project, and has no standing in the matter.
Kurt reported that he, Rob McCarthy and First Selectwoman Reemsnyder continue to monitor the status of negotiations on land needed for the project, and they are keeping Woodard & Curran apprised of all developments.
Tom Risom expressed some concern over the timing of the Town Meeting that will be required to approve funding for a final Wastewater Management plan. The Town’s Annual Budget Meeting takes place in May.
Dave Prickett stated that the timing of the Special Town Meeting will hinge on the State DEEP’s review of the proposal. Kurt is hopeful the WPCA will have a clear idea of the project status by March, at which time Donna Bednar’s committee can begin to plan the necessary public presentations.
Dave Prickett outlined three steps that can be taken while the WPCA is awaiting the DEEP’s comments:
- Share the draft Plan with the Towns of East Lyme and Waterford, which have expressed interest in reviewing the data. Kurt said he will work with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to provide that information to the First Selectmen of those towns.
- Encourage a meeting with DEEP representatives before their comments are formalized in a written report. Kurt will work with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder to facilitate this.
- Seek additional funding and supplemental grants. Woodard & Curran will continue to pursue this.
Sanitarian’s Report
Sanitarian Sonia Marino distributed a memo from WPCA Chair Kurt Zemba to septic waste haulers, asking them to renew their registration to use our waste transfer facility, and reminding them that our tipping fees are intentionally lower so that we can collect pump-put data.
All but one have renewed to date.
She also provided copies of routine notices to homeowners: Reminder to pump out; Notice of Violation; and Order to Discontinue.
Kurt would like the WPCA to establish guidelines and a time schedule for the notices, suggesting a first notice three months prior to mandatory pump-out; a second, certified, notice three months after the mandatory date has passed; and a third notice outlining penalties one to two months later, with a response due within seven days.
WPCA members discussed the process and made some suggestions, including:
- The importance of including a fine or penalty for non-compliance;
- The need to clearly state the pump-put requirement in the first notice;
- The importance of including additional information, including the fact that failure to comply can cause damage to property
Sanitarian Marino also shared a memo from Attorney Andrew Lord summarizing Section B-100 of the State Public Health Code. B-100 prohibits certain building conversions or changes in use without determination from the local Health Director that a code-complaint septic system can be supported on the property.
Old Business
The notification process for pump outs was covered under the Sanitarian’s Report.
New Business
None
Public Comment
Rick Sullivan from White Sand Beach Association requested a copy of the Draft Report, and was referred to Cathy Frank in the Selectman’s Office. Kurt will forward any questions about the Report to Woodard & Curran.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Rich Prendergast, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:04pm.
Cathy Frank
January 10, 2014
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