Water Pollution Control Authority
February 11, 2014
Present: WPCA members Rich Prendergast, Rob McCarthy, Dimitri Tolchinski, Kurt Zemba,
alternate Andrea Lombard
Absent/excused: Donna Bednar, Ernest Lorda, Frank Chan, Tom Risom, Doug Wilkinson Two residents were in the audience: Steve Dix and Harvey Schiller
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1. Call to Order
Chairman Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:40pm. He appointed Andrea Lombard to be a voting member for the meeting.
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2. Approval of the Minutes – January 9, 2014
The date of the January 9 minutes reads 2013 and should be 2014. A motion was made by Richard Prendergast, seconded by Dimitri Tolchinksi to approve the minutes with that correction. Motion passed.
3. Correspondence
A letter Kurt received from Steve Dix, and Kurt’s response, were distributed to members and are attached to the minutes.
Kurt invited Mr. Dix to convey his message to the WPCA members. Mr. Dix reiterated that he was concerned at the lack of local input for the Woodard & Currant report. He believes the report could have been written for any town in the state; was not a unique presentation for Old Lyme; and that a STEG/STEP and or vacuum collection system would be a better fit for the Town.
Dimitri expressed his doubt that the DEEP would support a STEP/STEG system. He questioned why Mr. Dix was raising an issue already addressed by the WPCA, and reminded members that all had voted to support Woodard & Curran’s recommendations.
Rob McCarthy said that he had received feedback from an engineer not involved with the Town who also questioned the collection system. Rob asked if Dave Prickett of Woodard & Curran could take another hard look at possible collection systems, especially vacuum and STEP/STEG which appear to experience fewer problems with infiltration issues.
Kurt stated that it was important for WPCA members to be comfortable with the process and direction of the project. He will forward the new information to Dave and ask him to re-address the collection system question. He will also ask for a further explanation of how Woodard & Curran approached the process and why they reached the conclusion they did.
4. Chairman’s Report –
Kurt distributed a draft budget (attached) for 2014-2015 which he will ask to be approved at the next meeting.
- Next Meeting to Review By Laws and Budget Requirements – Vote next meeting
Kurt has asked Attorney Lord to review the Town’s WPCA Ordinance and WPCA By-laws for consistency and compliance with State Statutes. Atty. Lord’s memo covering the WPCA’s financial responsibilities and authority is attached. Generally, the WPCA has the authority to manage its own revenue and expenditures as long as it does not receive funds from the Town’s General Fund. Kurt would like the WPCA budget to be managed by the Town Finance Office and members concurred.
- Attorney review and advice regarding our ordinance and by laws
Attorney Lord’s “housekeeping” suggestions for the Ordinance and By-Laws will be presented at the next meeting and will require a vote of the WPCA membership. The By-Laws will reflect the WPCA’s intent to have a collaborative relationship with the Boards of Selectmen and Finance while not relinquishing their statutory authority and responsibility.
- Land Sub Committee Update
Although both Kurt and Rob have had conversations with some of the parties, any negotiations are on hold, pending the DEEP’s review of our Wastewater Report.
- Actions regarding interim septic system issues / Sanitarian Discussion
Sanitarian Sonia Marino was unable to attend the meeting. Kurt reported that both she and the State have agreed that shoreline homeowners currently facing septic repair issues will be allowed to pursue less costly temporary fixes, pending a decision regarding a permanent wastewater management solution.
5. Post Project Report Status Update
Comments from the DEEP on the Wastewater Report are expected before the next (March 11) meeting. Both Dave Prickett and Kurt have had conversations with DEEP personnel which seem to indicate a favorable reaction to the Report.
Subsequent Testing or Review of Proposed WWM Project
Kurt requested a motion that the WPCA will continue working with Woodard & Curran to bring the Wastewater Project to the proposal stage. Motion was made by Dimitri, seconded by Dimitri and passed unanimously.
6.~ Sanitarian’s Report
The January 2014 Report was distributed and reviewed. Kurt asked that Dimitri and Tom Risom revisit the Town’s pump-out fee “procedure,” and make recommendations for modification if deemed necessary. Kurt said the goal is to make sure Town residents are getting a break. Dimitri agreed to examine pump out fees and asked Rich Prendergast to work with Tom and himself.
7. New Business
Members agreed that communication with residents about the Wastewater Project is imperative. Kurt presented three examples of misinformation that had been brought to his attention. He will ask Donna Bednar to draft a letter to residents that can clarify the status of the Town’s project.
Rich named some of the communication avenues that he and Donna have already discussed.
Cathy suggested including some information in the Spring Town Newsletter – the deadline is Friday. Kurt and Rich agreed to submit an item.
8 Public Comment
None
A motion was made by Rob McCarthy to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:19 pm.
Catherine Frank
2/12/14
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