Town of Old Lyme
Water Pollution Control Authority
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 10, 2018
In attendance: Chairman Prendergast, Vice-Chair Donna Bednar, Frank Chan, Dimitri Tolchinski, Rob McCarthy, Sal Cancelliere, Andrea Lombard, Treasurer Doug Wilkinson, Joe Carpentino and Steve Cinami (non-voting member).~Also, in attendance~were First Selectwoman Reemsnyder and approximately 17 townspeople.
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm
Approval of the Minutes – June 12th, 2018 ~
Motion by D. Wilkinson to approve the minutes of June 12, 2018 meeting, seconded by R. McCarthy. Discussion: none. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman’s Report Questions and Answers
Feedback on DEEP posting of the EIE and Additional Ground Water study scope approval
Chairman Prendergast reported that DEEP posted the EIE on June 19th and will have a 45-day Public Comment period ending August 2nd. There has been minimal feedback to date, and the state recommends waiting until the end of the comment period and responding to all comments at that time. He also reported the State has requested they add an additional data logger to one of the wells on West End Dr. to get a better understanding of the water height, flow and the tides. This is beyond the original scope of work. He is waiting for a quote and a copy of the scope from Woodard and Curran, so they can discuss this at their next meeting. This would involve an extension of the clean water funds and an amendment to the groundwater study.
Cooperation with Private Beach Association's WPCAs
Chairman Prendergast reported that on June 18th he met with First Selectman Reemsnyder, other people from the Selectmen’s office, the Private Beach Assoc.’s WPCA and the President of one of the Private Beach Associations. They discussed leasing town land in Sound View for the pump station. As a result, they were able to iron out all of the questions and problems and provide an illustrated exhibit with references and updated the land lease agreement (clarifications). This will be sent to the three beaches for their review. If they do not agree with this, they will need to meet again for further discussion. He also reminded everyone that this will need to be approved at a Town Meeting before it can be approved by the BOS. He also noted the lease includes cost sharing in the agreement, so the Town can join the
shared pump station.
Budget Update and Expenses/Review of any new invoices acceptance
Chairman Prendergast reported he has not received any invoices and has no further update.
Budget update and planning – D. Wilkinson, Treasurer reported there have been no expenditures since the last meeting. He also reported that he has been in contact with Nicole to discuss carrying over the $40,000 for the well testing which will be completed next year due to the timing of the project.
Correspondence~
Chairman Prendergast handed out copies of the correspondence he received to the members of the committee and gave a summary of the comments including; price gouging (for septic pump-out) and requiring DNA testing (stop testing) in the EIE. In regard to the above price gouging comment he replied to the resident and let him know that only the Town of OL can require him to pump-put his septic every 7 years (residents can call the WPCA Clerk to see when they are due) and encouraged him to shop around for other prices. Regarding the DNA testing he will wait until the open comment period for the EIE is completed before responding.
S. Cinami suggested that maybe they could post something on the website for residents letting them know if they are not sure when they are due to pump out who they can contact. It was also suggested they put a list of common haulers for the town of old Lyme and encourage residents to shop around. Chairman Prendergast will check with the Selectman’s office to see if this is ok. D. Bednar volunteered to put something together to post on the website that will include; who to call to find out when they need to pump-out and a list of common haulers.
Old Business
Ground Water study for area known as Hawks Nest update~
Chairman Prendergast reported he, S. Cancelliere, F. Chan and a representative from Woodard and Curran visited the sites for the proposed (6) new wells in Hawks Nest Beach and put stakes in to identify the locations. He noted there were a few challenges including; overhead power lines, driveways, parking spaces and narrow roads and well tops being seen (painting the posts a bright color for better visibility for plows and cars). There was also an issue with one property that may already have a septic tank where the well is supposed to go. He will follow-up on this. Once completed they will get an updated report and map showing where the wells are. Next (72-hour call before you dig) the utility companies will come out and approve the areas for drilling. If they are given the all clear he anticipates drilling to begin on
Monday and once they are installed, they will begin monitoring.
Chairman Prendergast gave an overview of the process for the approval of the scope of work and added that this will not hold up data collection and ground water sampling.
Public outreach planning
Chairman Prendergast suggested scheduling a public outreach meeting in mid-August (after the comment session has ended) utilizing the feedback to provide residents with a better understanding of the project and to address questions and concerns. After discussing the pros and cons of whether to hold the public outreach meeting before or after the end of the comment session, a tentative date was set for August 16th. The committee also discussed; utilizing the EIE to update last year’s presentation, developing updated fact sheets and key points, drafting an article to explain how this impacts the public and what can happen if this does not pass at a Town Meeting, scheduling a referendum, obtaining a time line from DEEP and developing a time line of all of the steps needed to complete the process.
First Selectman Reemsnyder added that both the BOF and BOS will need to recommend this to a Town Meeting. She also added that they will probably need a couple of meetings to be able to review and discuss the details and amounts. She suggested getting this on the BOS & BOF Agendas for discussion at their July meetings and noted they can schedule special meetings if needed.
The Committee went onto discuss advertising for the public outreach meeting and agreed it was a good idea to use the Town Website and mailing out Bingo cards (similar to the last mailing) to the residents not to exceed the cost of $2,000.
Motion by D. Tolchinski to approve sending out an advertisement to O.L. residents, cost not to exceed $2,000, seconded by R. McCarthy. Discussion: none. Motion passed unanimously.
Carmody septic haul out software purchase update
Chairman Prendergast reported he has forwarded the request, quote and contract on to the Selectman’s office and it will then go onto the Town Attorney for legal review. He commented on what an improvement this software will make in the management of septic hauling.
New Business
Chairman Prendergast reported he had a meeting today with CT Water Company. He began by reporting their engineering company had given them an estimate of $4.2 million to provide water to the Sound View area in addition to what they had planned for the sewer project. They would need to Bond for the total amount and then subtract what they would receive towards the project including; grants, clean water funds and CT Water’s portion of the costs. In his meeting today with CT Water they came up a cost of $150 - $250 per linear foot (best option is to plan for $225 per linear foot which allows for contingency) with an estimated cost of $2.2 million for the project. He added additional savings would come from CT Water paying 1/3 of the costs that would apply to installing the pipes and 2/3 would apply to restoring the
dirt and pavement which is already in the scope of work for the sewer project. In addition, part of Hartford Ave.’s water main has already been replaced reducing the project size by 1/3rd. The State would provide the pipes, testing, connecting the taps (which they would hand over to a contractor) and when everything was done they would shut off the old water main.
The committee went onto discuss additional costs to household to hook up to the water main (some homes on Hartford Ave. are already hooked up), the costs of the pipes, who would pay for the cost of the contractor connecting the taps, temporary water, having two separate line items for each project (Water and Sewer), cost savings by doing both projects simultaneously, can Sound View be their own entity for this project; no Sound View is a part of the Town, loans, Bonding and getting a map from CT Water to see where pipes and hook ups are already in place.
Chairman Prendergast reported they will hold their regular meeting in August on the 14th.
Public Comment – Limited time per speaker
First Selectman Reemsnyder clarified some of the CT Water issues discussed. Adding the water main and hook-ups were a part of the original discussion for the sewer project if this was an option, CT Water (has money for upgrading infrastructure projects) is willing to split the cost of restoring the road (and part of the pipe instillation) if it was part of the sewer project which is a substantial savings because this is being done only once. She also added the Department of Public Health, the drinking water section is pushing really hard to address clean water in these areas and noted that CT Water has exclusive rights in the Town of Old Lyme.
Frank Pappalardo (Swan Ave.) expressed the following concerns:
- The residents of Sound View are residents of the Town of Old Lyme
- He would like to see this as part of the sewer project and not a separate line item. He added that part of Sound View has water lines that are adequate, and parts does not. Some of the lines are over 100 years old.
- In a public notice in the New London Day there was a public notice for the Sound View Assoc. and the Town of Old Lyme. He clarified that Sound View and the Town of Old Lyme are one and the same and The Sound View Beach Association is a private civic organization. This is a Town of Old Lyme issue focusing on the Sound View area. Also, the request for a hearing deadline was for the same day the notice was advertised.
- The method of establishing EDU’s – He has not seen any information how they are calculating EDU’s. He saw in the last meeting minutes that option 4 was chosen to assess EDU’s. Sound View has three different zones for assessment and he does not think they should use assessment as a means to measure EDU’s. He also added it was noted that the option may change, but he feels they should find a method with the least number of variables and start off with the right option instead of having to change it.
- The Sound View Commission was established to serve as an advisor to the BOS for the Sound View area. The pump station lease was initiated by the Sound View Comm. in March 2016 and he has not seen the lease since and feels it is incredible the SV Comm. has not had the opportunity to be a part of this.
Rob Breen (Swan Ave.) commented that a Saturday evening may be a better time for the Sound View residents to attend a public outreach meeting as there are many who are only there on the week-ends. He also added that he worked for the Sound View Water Company (Co-Owner and officer from 1987-1995) until it was bought out by CT Water Company. At the time of the transition CT Water Company was under state regulation to complete the replacement of the Sound View water system and he does not see this as an item for referendum but is within the scope of the CT Water Company.
Dave Mitchell (Columbus Ave.) reminded everyone that residents of Hawks Nest Beach are also residents of the Town of Old Lyme. He asked that when they update the presentation from last year if they could provide a time line as well as adding specific language on the types of testing being done in Hawks Nest Beach. Currently the residents feel they are in limbo as to where they stand and when things will begin.
Sandy Ziemba (Swan Ave.) deferred her time to Frank Pappalardo.
Frank Pappalardo (Swan Ave) added the following key points from the original discussions on the pump station lease:
- Including restrooms as part of the facility
- Having input on the design
Chairman Prendergast interrupted Frank to let him know the WPCA is not the driving force behind the lease and he could not address his issues but encouraged him to contact the Selectman’s office.
Public Comment ended.
Responses to Public Comments from committee members.
Chairman Prendergast responded to the CT Water Co. issue and thinks that maybe some of the information shared could provide them with some leverage in getting them to bring more to the table in terms of negotiation.
He also thinks the water main update is important to this project and it has not been decided if this will be a separate line item or part of the sewer project.
He will also look into the issue of the public notices. – The public outreach meeting will be an open forum. He also heard the comments on holding the meeting on a week-end evening and will take this into consideration.
In regard to the EDU’s there was a task force put together and he will get the minutes from the meeting on the website. He gave an overview of the four options and they decided the best option to begin with was #4.
D. Wilkinson added that option # 4 was chosen to expedite the EIE going forward so they could begin testing. He also noted that the motion indicated it was a starting point intended to change to make sure they had an equitable method before going to referendum.
Chairman Prendergast shared the WPCA’s motive for being a part of the pump station lease. He shared it saves the Town and the beaches a lot of money if they are part of the lease. He also added that he is not at liberty to give out copies of the pump station lease.
Chairman Prendergast will see if he can get a fact sheet for the Hawks Nest Beach on the testing protocol and agrees better communication is always good.
S. Cancelliere addressed Frank Pappalardo to let him know he is not against the water project in Sound View but wants to make sure this is what they want. He added he is also frustrated that the WPCA has no input on the pump station lease.
S. Cinami also noted he is not against water going in anywhere but is concerned about how it is being done. He feels the committee has worked very hard on the sewer project and doesn’t feel adding water this late in the project appears that they are trying to sneak something in.
S. Cinami also commented that CT Water is giving the Town the pipe, but the town will end up paying for the restoration and the contractor.
D. Tolchinski added CT Water Co. is under obligation to complete the Sound View water project and the Town should not give them any money. This should be looked into and discussed further.
Adjournment
Motion by D. Wilkinson to adjourn, seconded by A. Lombard. Discussion: none. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:28pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patti Broedlin
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