Water Pollution Control Authority
Minutes
September 9, 2014
Present: Chairman Kurt Zemba, Doug Wilkinson, Frank Chan, Dimitri Tolchinski, Rich Prendergast, Rob McCarthy, Ernest Lorda, Tom Risom; alternate Andrea Lombard; First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder; Sanitarian Sonia Marino; Dave Prickett & Jay Sheehan from Woodard and Curran; Atty. Andrew Lord
Absent/excused: Donna Bednar
Also present: Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal; 12+ members of the public
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Call to Order
Chairman Kurt Zemba called the meeting to order at 7:33pm. He explained that, because it has been seven weeks since the previous WPCA meeting, this meeting must be devoted to updating WPCA members. Although questions can be asked during Public Comment (at the end of the meeting), there will not be time to respond tonight. Instead, he will ask members to approve a Special Meeting next Wednesday, September 17, to address comments & questions from the public.
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Approval of the Minutes – July 8, 2014
A motion was made by Dimitri Tolchinski, seconded by Doug Wilkinson, to approve the minutes of July 8, 2014. Motion passed.
Correspondence
Kurt received a letter from the Waterford WPCA Chair requesting information on the proposed coastal wastewater project. He discussed the letter with East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica because Old Lyme is approaching the project as a client of East Lyme. Kurt will formally respond to Waterford that all questions about the Old Lyme project should be directed to East Lyme.
Kurt will provide a copy of the Waterford correspondence to Cathy to scan and forward to WPCA members.
Address by First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder
Kurt asked the First Selectwoman to update WPCA members on coastal wastewater project planning meetings that have occurred with representatives from Miami, Old Colony and Old Lyme Shores beach associations and the DEEP.
First Selectwoman Reemsnyder said that three meetings have taken place. Others present included Sanitarian Sonia Marino, attorneys for the Town/WPCA and the three beach associations, engineers from Fuss & O’Neill who have been working with the associations, Jay Sheehan and Dave Prickett from Woodard & Curran for the Town/WPCA, and representatives from White Sand Beach association.
Bonnie described the collaborative process, stating that the goal of the meetings was to determine how the four entities involved can effectively work together. A Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted by the two attorneys and we are close to a final document. The engineers from the two firms have also been working together.
The next step will be developing an IMA (inter-municipal agreement) between Old Lyme and East Lyme. An initial meeting has already taken place. Kurt Mailman from Fuss & O’Neill will be representing the three associations at the IMA meetings.
A meeting with New London, Old Lyme, and the DEEP to discuss capacity requirements will be the next step.
Chairman' s Report
Kurt introduced new WPCA Clerk Chris Seery and reviewed upcoming meetings.
Upcoming Meetings / Timelines/ DEEP
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:30pm: Public Q&A session
Sunday, Sept 21: deadline for townwide FAQ mailing
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7:30pm: WPCA 1st Public Presentation on Wastewater project
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7pm: brief WPCA meeting, followed by 2nd Public Presentation at 7:30pm
Monday, October 27 or Tuesday, October 28: Town Meeting to be scheduled by the Board of Selectmen
IMA, Capacity Agreement, Research of Short Term Financing and Bonding
Kurt asked for a motion to ask the Board of Selectmen to take the lead on researching short-term financing and bonding requirements for the project. The motion was made by Doug Wilkinson, seconded by Dimitri Tolchinski.
Kurt appointed alternate Andrea Lombard, who arrived after the meeting began, to be a voting member at the meeting in Donna Bednar’s absence.
Motion on the floor passed unanimously.
Kurt indicated that information on financing and bonding would be needed for the 9/21 mailing.
Bonnie stated she has already contacted Bond Counsel about the project.
Kurt clarified that the three beach associations have their own financing in place.
Regarding capacity, Kurt stated that there are no plans to connect any other area in Town to the shoreline wastewater facility. Carlos Esquerra of the DEEP confirmed to him that known and potential subscribers in the identified area will max out the capacity allotment.
Tom Risom said that the POW sewer connection project had been capped at 415 dwelling units and suggested that the coastal wastewater project also be capped with the total # of dwellings to be served. Members concurred that capping should be considered.
Connecticut Water
Sanitarian Sonia Marino has scheduled a meeting with the State Drinking Water Section. Connecticut Water Company representatives will be present. The Town’s overall drinking water needs will be discussed, as will the coastal wastewater project and potential grant opportunities.
Members emphasized the need for collaborative planning to avoid opening up the impacted streets for construction more than once. A suggestion to contact utility companies, possibly about installing underground utilities, was also made. Bonnie will follow up.
Shoreline Project – Update to Membership Woodard & Curran - Dave Prickett, Jay Sheehan
Overall Project Status for Centralized System and Facility Process/ Presentation
In response to a question, Jay Sheehan clarified that New London is a 10 million gallon facility.
Current allotments are: New London – 55%, East Lyme – 15%, Waterford – 30%.
Old Lyme’s agreement with East Lyme will be for conveyance only. Old Lyme is seeking to use part of New London’s 55% capacity. Some improvements to East Lyme infrastructure will be needed.
Dave Prickett distributed a map illustrating the proposed project area for the Coastal Wastewater Management Program. The map clearly shows the geographic borders of the project and the proposed project limits, based upon density of existing development. The DEEP is in concurrence with the limits shown.
The approved mapping enables Woodard & Curran to proceed with confirming the # of EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) to be served in the area, and to begin determining capital cost apportionment. The mapping is the precursor to project design.
The coastal system will consist of gravity sewers (99%), with a main pump station and pipe and Sound View, and a second pump station at White Sand Beach. Resiliency to natural disasters will be part of the pump station design. Jay Sheehan passed around a photo showing a pump station in Provincetown that looks like public rest rooms.
Dave reviewed four key milestones in the Project timetable:
- Concurrence from DEEP on Figure 1/Project Mapping
- Completion of the CEPA (CT. Environmental Policy Act) process through DEEP. This includes fatal flaw analysis and responding to Public Comments.
- Completion of an updated Draft Report/Final Report and submission to the DEEP by end-Sept.
- Receipt of a Regulatory Summary (response to Report)
Partial Reimbursement for the Project
If the updated Draft Report shows that the Town is complying with DEEP requirements, can Clean Water Fund(s) be released? The First Selectwoman indicated she has already begun a discussion with DEEP on that question.
Overall Timetable –
The Design Phase is expected to take one year (2015).
Construction would be phased over a three year period from 2016 to 2018:
- Infrastructure
- Sound View Collector
- Old Colony Beach, Old Lyme Shores
- Miami Beach, Hawks Nest Beach, White Sand Beach
Dave emphasized that Clean Water Funds will not cover undeveloped lots and are for existing development only. The coastal project is not intended to induce development. Dave believes the coastal wastewater project is consistent with the Town’s “sewer avoidance policy,” which would be more aptly named “sewer sprawl avoidance.”
Chairman' s Report continued
Communications Committee Update/ Discussion
Kurt has asked Rich Prendergast to lead the committee (Dimitri , Frank Chan) who will develop FAQs for a townwide mailing. The committee will work with Jay and Dave from Woodard & Curran on the questions and answers.
Dimitri has been acting as the WPCA’s liaison to the three beach associations involved with the coastal wastewater project.
Kurt received a letter this week from Sound View Commission chair Frank Pappalardo requesting that a WPCA liaison be appointed to his Commission. Kurt said he will appoint a liaison and will plan to attend the Sept. 22 Sound View Commission meeting himself in the interim.
Pumping Compliance
Budget Update - Current and Next Fiscal Year
Kurt distributed & reviewed an updated budget document. He has asked Chris Seery to update the spreadsheet going forward as invoices are received and approved.
The WPCA’s request to carryover over unused funds from the 2014 fiscal year budget to cover an anticipated legal expense was rejected by the Board of Finance. Kurt has asked the Board of Selectmen to take steps to restore those funds and will mention the request to the Board of Finance when he meets with them for a project update on Sept. 16.
There is some confusion about invoices received recently from Wind River Environmental. Kurt asked Dimitri Tolchinski, Rich Prendergast and Ernest Lorda to review the current process between the Town and Wind River.
Kurt asked Attorney Andrew Lord to review the existing WPCA Ordinance. He suggested that the 7 year pumping requirement be revisited and stated that the Ordinance needs to be workable, enforceable and flexible. Sanitarian Sonia Marino needs to be involved in the revision process.
Old Business
Stormwater Compliance Update
Brian Curtis from Nathan Jacobson will be invited to the November meeting to provide an update on Stormwater compliance.
Sanitarian's Report
Sonia Marino mentioned several ongoing issues and advised the WPCA of proposed changes to the State’s “technical standards for septic systems.”
Kurt asked Sonia to advise WPCA members and our beach associations when the meeting regarding drinking water has been scheduled.
Doug Wilkinson raised a question about Wind River procedures, and Kurt invited Gary Yuknat of Old Lyme Sanitation to address the meeting. Gary sold his Shoreline Sanitation company to Wind River earlier this year and has been acting as a liaison between the Town and Wind River.
Gary believes the pump out requirement should be every 5 years (not 7), and offered to review the Wind River invoices mentioned during the Budget Review. He acknowledged that Wind River has been conducting an aggressive marketing campaign.
Kurt said he will add Gary to the November meeting agenda to make a presentation about septage transfer.
New Business
None
Public Comment
The following questions were asked and will be answered at the Special WPCA Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 17:
(Fred Clark, West End Drive)
What costs will the special assessment include?
Will they include costs from the (previous) local wastewater treatment proposal?
The local project was going to include septage from other areas in Town. Will the new project also include septage from other areas with shoreline residents shouldering the entire cost?
(Lisa Clark, West End Drive)
How will the Sept 17 meeting be publicized?
Have you investigated how beach communities in other towns pay for similar systems? For example, the Town of East Lyme absorbed 30% of the cost of their sewers. Will Old Lyme consider sharing the cost?
Will a copy of the financial model be available at the meeting?
Can additional questions be emailed before the meeting?
(Sandy Garvin, Hawks Nest Beach)
What is the # of EDUs to be included in the project?
How can Hawks Nest be more involved in the process? Can representatives from Hawks Nest Beach attend the Sound View Commission meeting?
(Heidi Fields, Sound View)
Asked about the idea of capping the project.
If I have a seasonal residence/business: will I be able to reside/operate year round?
What happens if I have a code-compliant system; or if I have a system I have invested significantly in and it is still not code-compliant?
A motion was made by Doug Wilkinson, seconded by Rich Prendergast to adjourn at 9:45pm.
Adjournment
Cathy Frank
9/11/14
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