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Town of Old Lyme
Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting
May 12th, 2015
Members in attendance: Kurt Zemba, Chairman, Rich Prendergast, Vice Chair, Doug Wilkinson, Ernest Lorda, Dmitri Tolchinski, Frank Chan, Andrea Lombard (arrived at 7:45pm), Donna Bednar (arrived at 8:00pm)
Also in attendance: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Sanitarian John Sieviec, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal, Selectman Skip Sibley, Board of Finance Alternate David Kelsey
Members absent: Rob McCarthy (excused)
- Meeting was called to order at 7:31pm
- Approval of Minutes- 4/14/2015 meeting
- Motion made by E. Lorda, seconded by D. Wilkinson, to approve minutes of WPCA meeting on 4/14/2015. No corrections were made.
- Motion passed unanimously.
- Formal letters will be sent to residents who received pump out extensions at the 4/14/2015 meeting
- Chairman Zemba provided an update on the facilities plan submitted to the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). He discussed that DEEP is in the process of finalizing its comments on the plan. He discussed misinformation regarding the wastewater facilities plan and project. He recommended that the WPCA work with the town and private beach associations as well as the general public in educating and communicating to prevent spread of incorrect information. Chairman Zemba also discussed that the three private beaches are in the process of going forward with their project with engineers Fuss & O’Neil and the WPCA will not move forward with any plan unless ordered to do so by DEEP. He discussed that DEEP is still negotiating with East Lyme and New London regarding wastewater flow. Chairman Zemba
discussed issues with DEEP and compliance costs, which the WPCA did not anticipate exceeding their estimates. He stated that any vote on bonding for the project would not occur until late June or July, to insure that all residents, seasonal and year-round, had the opportunity to participate. He discussed that the question regarding pollution down by the beaches was not determined by the WPCA but by DEEP and it would work with DEEP and the Old Lyme Health Department to evaluate the pollution questions and concerns.
- Doug Wilkinson asked Chairman Zemba about consent and administrative orders from DEEP. Chairman Zemba responded that the WPCA and town will not consent or voluntarily agree to build sewers. It will only do so if ordered by DEEP.
- Dmitri Tolchinski asked if the WPCA consented when it voted to pursue a regional wastewater system. Chairman Zemba responded that the WPCA voted only to approve a facilities plan for a regional system.
- Members discussed questions regarding water pollution and moving forward with the project.
- First Selectwoman’s Report
- First Selectwoman Reemsnyder discussed conversations she has had with DEEP and felt that DEEP is content with the current facilities plan being revised. She does not expect any significant comments or revisions to come back. She spoke of the May 18th Town Meeting at the Old Lyme Middle School where the town will ask residents to approve $148,000 to finish the facilities plan and study, which is eligible for a 55% reimbursement from Clean Water Funds (CWF). She said that this amount was the result of additional amendments to the plan along with other processes such as CEPA. The town expects to receive $114,000 back from the 55% reimbursement.
- The First Selectwoman and WPCA discussed possible legal issues that may arise if funds aren’t appropriated for the facilities plan and study and if the town decides in the end not to go through with the plan.
- Town Health Department Report Review
- Sanitarian John Sieviec summarized the nitrogen attenuation report he prepared and spoke of data he has reviewed from the Fuss & O’Neil and Woodard & Curran reports. He also reviewed water data that the health department has and spoke of unacceptable nitrogen and bacterial levels. He spoke of providing educational material for residents regarding the wastewater project. The Sanitarian discussed water testing in town, including the beaches and Rogers Lake as well as hoping to utilize volunteers in the future to help with sampling. The WPCA asked Mr. Sieviec if he is working with the private beaches WPCA’s, which he responded by saying he has been emailing back and forth and hopes to meet with them soon.
- Members discussed at length about best ways to provide educational material for the public regarding the wastewater project. Members discussed creating newsletters, pamphlets, factsheets and providing educational resources on the WPCA website. Members also discussed doing public forums, meeting with individual beach associations, collaborate with WPCA’s in private beaches and work with the health department. Donna Bednar agreed to take the lead and work with WPCA members on preparing drafts for a factsheet. Members wanted to make sure information is clear and concise and helps address frequent questions from the public.
- Board of Finance questions opportunity
- Chairman Zemba recognized Board of Finance member David Kelsey and asked if there were any specific questions the board had for the WPCA. Mr. Kelsey said he had no questions but did discuss the remaining funds left in the WPCA budget and additional costs resulting from DEEP compliance requests.
- Chairman Zemba announced that the WPCA Administrative Assistant, Chris Seery, has accepted a new position with Ledge Light Health District and his last day in Old Lyme will be May 22nd but will continue to do the minutes for WPCA meetings.
- Jack Mut, White Sands Beach
- Mr. Mut asked about a meeting between the Sanitarian, First Selectwoman and CT Water at the end of April. The Sanitarian and First Selectwoman responded that they did meet with CT Water. The meeting included keeping CT Water updated on the wastewater project and discussed infrastructure and logistic updates the company may have to address with the wastewater project in both the private beaches and town beaches.
- Sandy Garvin, Hawks Nest Beach
- Mrs. Garvin asked would DEEP make the town pay back CWFs if the $148,000 for the facilities plan was not approved at the town meeting on May 18th. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder responded that she does not anticipate issues with DEEP regarding CWFs and discussed that the requested money is for the facilities plan only. The First Selectwoman also discussed that the town anticipates DEEP sending an order to implement the facilities plan. Mrs. Garvin also asked about limiting the project area to just the three private beaches and Soundview until more data is presented regarding Hawks Nest Best. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and the WPCA responded that based on DEEP’s review and comments, it believes there is sufficient data to keep Hawks Nest Beach in the project area.
- Mrs. Clark asked if the votes at the May 18th town meeting be voted line by line or as a whole. The First Selectwoman responded that each item will be voted individually, line by line. Mrs. Clark also asked about mailing residents information about town meetings and WPCA educational material. The First Selectwoman said that town meetings are posted online and in the local newspaper to notify residents.
- Keith Garvin, Hawks Nest Beach
- Asked about beach water testing. The Sanitarian responded that beach water testing is routine and done to test the quality of beaches where residents and visitors swim. Mr. Garvin also asked about a mailer to residents regarding the upcoming May 18th town meeting. The First Selectwoman responded that doing a town-wide mailing isn’t cost-effective but notifications were made on the town website and local newspaper.
- David Kelsey, BOF Alternate Member
- Asked about signing up for email updates from the town and posting the upcoming May 18th town meeting. The First Selectwoman responded that residents can sign up for email updates at the town website and can also choose which boards and commissions they would like to receive updates from. For Mr. Kelsey’s second question, the First Selectwoman said the town meeting on the 18th was posted on the town website and in The Day newspaper.
- Motion made by D. Tolchinski, seconded by E. Lorda to adjourn
- Motion passed unanimously
- Meeting adjourned at 8:39pm
Minutes submitted by:
Chris Seery, WPCA/Health Administrative Assistant
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