Town of Old Lyme Minutes of the WPCA meeting
May 8, 2018, held at the Memorial Town Hall
In attendance: Chairman Richard Prendergast, Vice-Chair Donna Bednar, Doug Wilkinson, Andrea Lombard, Dimitri Tolchinski, Frank Chan, Alternate Steve Cinami, Sal Cancelliere. Absent: Rob McCarthy, Joe Carpentino. Also in attendance, Selectwoman Nosal, and 4 townspeople.
Chairman Prendergast called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and appointed alternate Steve Cinami as a full voting member.
Approval of April Minutes:
Motion by D. Bednar to accept the April minutes. Second by D. Wilkinson. Discussion – it was noted that the spelling of Joe Carpentino’s name was incorrect.
S. Cancelliere noted in the subject of well locations that the discussion on HN4 was not included. He noted that Chairman Prendergast stated at the April meeting that it was one of the best performing wells, why would we want it removed? S. Cancelliere said at the April meeting that it is actually one of the worst performing wells and would like to research further after the meeting. Chairman Prendergast disagreed that he was inaccurate. S. Cancelliere would like these comments added to the minutes. Discussion followed regarding the purpose of meeting minutes (they are a summary, not word-for-word) and avoiding the perception that we are trying to hide something or change the narrative. It was noted that no action or vote was taking in the section of the minutes that S. Cancelliere is referring to.
Vote on motion with added comments: In favor: 1; Opposed: 6; Abstain: 1. Motion does not carry.
Vote to approve the minutes un-amended (excepting the spelling of Joe Carpentino’s name) In favor: 6; Opposed: 1; Abstain 1. Motion carries.
Chairman’s’ Report: Was distributed in advance. Minor update - the EIE being reviewed by DEEP will be updating figures for 2019 costs, price will be going up a little. Hope to get updated copy any day.
Cooperation with private beach associations: The land lease for pump station has been edited by the town and sent to private beach associations. They haven’t responded yet. Heard they might want to tweak it some more. Chairman Prendergast noted there was a recent article in New London Day newspaper titled “New London contract provides path for Old Lyme beaches toward sewer lines.” Comments in article were generic and truthful – no time to discuss with everyone on committee.
Budget Update: No expenses. Waiting for town meeting to see if next year’s budget gets approved. No old or new invoices.
Correspondence: Received some correspondence from Rocco Todaro – no chance to read it yet. Will distribute the email to committee members after tonight’s meeting.
Old Business
Hawks Nest Draft water testing plan
Lab Quotes: Chairman Prendergast distributed pricing plan handout. ECL seems to be the only one who does both sampling and testing. They have a good reputation. R. McCarthy called Eastern Analytical – they are not certified to do all bacterial analysis. R. McCarthy (prior to meeting) recommended we go with ECL, even though it is slightly more expensive. The $8000 in the chart is a placeholder for fees for collection for the labs that don’t offer it as a service. Motion by D. Wilkinson to accept ECL and pursue a contract with them to do collection and monitoring. Second by D. Bednar. In favor: 8. Opposed: 0. Abstain: 0. Motion carries.
Well locations: Chairman Prendergast projected onto the screen the document that shows the proposed well locations and surrounding septic systems, as discussed at last month’s meeting. The original well locations were proposed by Woodard & Curran. The Chairman suggested we go through each proposed location. Discussion followed specifically regarding the three proposed wells on West End Drive, including: distance from septic to wells with drinking water; our obligation for distance away from septic; best locations for wells and lack of ideal locations – need to work within constraints; are they cesspools or septic tanks with leaching fields. S. Cancelliere suggested we take a road trip to the area to see it in person, as he did earlier today. D. Tolchinski said we go with what
engineering company suggested. Chairman Prendergast would like it to be known that we did our research and work before making decisions, and noted that we are required to put wells on West End Drive. F. Chan commented that we need some variance. He suggested plus/minus 25 feet parallel to road.
Motion by D. Tolchinski to place all wells plus/minus 25 feet as depicted on the lot map, parallel to the road. This is a general statement on all wells. Second by S. Cinami. Discussion: S. Cancelliere said the depicted area on map is not cast in stone. Also, could be messing with people’s parking, which is important in that area. Chairman responded we are not going to put wells in exact location – now there is some variance. In favor: 7; opposed 1. Motion carries.
HN10: Motion by D. Wilkinson to accept well location 10 as depicted on lot map. Second by S. Cinami. In favor: 7; opposed 1. Motion carries.
HN 11 Has been moved across the street from original proposed location. It was noted that when a well is drilled, a 4-inch cast iron pipe stands 2 feet above the ground with a cap, and the pipe can be removed when the project is completed.
Motion by S. Cinami that when driller goes out, chairman or rep from committee go out with the driller. Second by F. Chan. Discussion: S. Cancelliere asks who will be the rep? Chairman Prendergast says everyone can go on date that is set. Will try and give as much notice as possible. In favor: 8. Opposed: 0. Motion carries.
Motion by D. Wilkinson to accept well location 11 as depicted on lot map (lot 14.) Second by A. Lombard. In favor: 7; opposed: 1. Motion carries.
HN9: Motion by S. Cinami to accept well location 9 as depicted on lot map. Second by D. Bednar. Discussion: D. Wilkinson questions proximity to leaching field – perhaps move it a little west. Chairman Prendergast agrees. Move it 50 feet west, corner of 22. Lot 22 is a garage and a screen house. In favor: 7; opposed: 1. Motion carries.
HN8: S. Cancelliere noted that the new leaching field and septic system for lot 37 (closest to the proposed well) are proposed, not approved yet. Motion by D. Wilkinson to keep HN8 as depicted on map. Second by S. Cinami. D. Bednar proposed an amendment to the motion to move the well across the street to lot 43. Discussion – none. In favor: 7; opposed: 1. Motion carries.
5N (replacement for wells 5S/5D): Motion by S. Cinami to accept well location 5N as depicted on lot map. Second by D. Wilkinson. In favor: 7; opposed: 0; abstain: 1. Motion carries.
Chairman Prendergast will forward the updated document reflecting tonight’s votes to all committee members and put it in the records. He will also schedule a driller.
S. Cancelliere asked what about existing well 4? There is a catch basin next to it, which collects water, and floods during heavy rain. He has also noticed nip bottles littering the area and (human) urination at times in the area. There is a bog nearby as well. Results for testing on EIE p. 8 (attached to these minutes) showed worst results in 4 categories. Not a true measure of groundwater pollution.
Motion by S. Cancelliere to remove test well number 4 as currently located. Second by D. Wilkinson. Discussion – where should the well be? Away from catch basin. S. Cinami amends the motion to replace existing well 4 with new well 4 drilled on south corner of Tyler and Center Beach Ave. Does S. Cancellierie accept the amendment? Yes. S. Cinami adds everyone should be aware this is a new well and will cost money, approx. $1,500. In favor: 8; opposed: 0. Motion carries.
Due to time constraints, there will not be a discussion of EDUs, as it is a complicated topic and deserves more than a few minutes. Will be postponed until next month’s meeting. S. Cancellierie inquired if we can ask Old Colony Beach Association if we can attend their WPCA meeting – he will get meeting information to Chairman Prendergast to distribute.
Public outreach planning: Best to wait for EIE to be published, which is planned for May 22nd before moving forward with public outreach.
New Business: S. Cancelliere expressed frustration that he gets information/documents so close to meeting date. Can we set a deadline for a week prior to the meeting for agenda items? Chairman Prendergast will try to send the study materials out the week before the meeting, along with an agenda, but cannot control when DEEP or other outside agencies respond.
Public Comment:
Sandy Garvin, Hawk’s Nest Beach: How many tests per year on wells? When would the wells be going in? They are having an association meeting in 3 weeks, would be good to let owners know. 5N well might be in Miami Beach?
Selectwoman Nosal: Thank you to all committee members for a difficult meeting. Applaud you all on working as a team. As an aside, she feels Sal’s pain that we don’t have info in advance. FOI requires that agendas be posted 24 hours in advance. Sometimes have to defer items.
Chairman Prendergast responds: Plan is for monthly tests, skipping a couple months in the middle of winter (Nov and Dec). Wells can go in within the next month. Plan is to monitor this summer, mid-June, operational by July. 5N stands for new, replaces 5S/5D, it is NOT in neighboring beach association. D. Bednar commented that she hopes that folks recognize that we are taking great care in placement of wells, not trying to inconvenience anyone.
Motion by D. Wilkinson to adjourn. Second by D. Bednar. Motion carries. Adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Datum, WPCA Clerk
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