APPROVED
OLD LYME WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, September 20, 2007
The Old Lyme Water Pollution Control Authority met on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of Christ the King Parish Center. Those present and voting were Tom Risom (Chairman), George James, Dimitry Tolchinsky, Louisa Grogan (Secretary), Mike Dickey, Mervin Roberts, Roger Breunig (Vice Chairman), Joe O’Connor and Angus McDonald.
Chairman Risom called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Risom asked for a volunteer to write the WPCA’s annual report. He noted that it was not written last year, and having no volunteer, he indicated that he would write the report.
Chairman Risom stated that the Four Ponds Subdivision is before the Planning Commission for a Public Hearing and Harold Thompson, Chairman of Planning, noted that the Statutes require that the WPCA must agree with the declaration and covenants of the homeowner’s association regarding the money to be put in escrow to protect the Town in case of system failure. He noted that the amount the WPCA agreed to in March was $60,000.00 a year for the operating costs and $200,000.00 for capitol replacement reserve. Chairman Risom stated that he will send a letter to the Planning Commission
Mr. Roberts pointed out that the school’s system costs $71,000.00 a year to maintain. Chairman Risom stated that the problem is that the system has to be fully operational for the first house. He noted that building permits will not be issued until the Town has this money. Chairman Risom stated that the $60,000.00 only covers the first year of operating costs. He noted that he will indicate to the Planning Commission that the WPCA has concerns with the project. Chairman Risom stated that the Planning Commission will be deferring to the WPCA and the State in regards to the septic system.
Mr. James stated that the November 30, 2002 Board of Education Meeting Minutes state “Mr. Hagan stated that a cost analysis over twenty years reflected the costs were the same in the long-run and the Xenon System was better for the environment than those systems that marginally do so. Mr. Hagan stated that the Building Committee and Town Officials all were in agreement that the Xenon System would give the best performance and more operating costs over the long-term.” Mr. James noted that this issue did not come to a vote by the Board because they plead ignorance of such matters. “Mr. Kline noted that this subject has been vigorously discussed for many months and costs, reliability and environmental impact of this system has been diligently studied. If there were further questions
they should be directed to Mr. Rhodes.”
Chairman Risom stated that there were several meeting where the WPCA indicated to the Board of Education that the system does not work. Mr. Rose indicated that he even took them to Rhode Island to look at systems. Chairman Risom noted that they were provided with information on the FAST System also.
Chairman Risom stated that the school told Mr. Roberts that they were not feeding the system sugar and there was no bill for sugar in the BOE budget. He noted that the warehouse is stacked with bags of sugar. Mr. James stated that a major issue that emerges is trust. Mr. Tolchinsky stated that this should come out in the media. Chairman Risom stated that there’s been a lesson learned toward future dealings with the school system. He indicated that the WPCA should make it clear that they at no time endorsed the system, whether one calls it Xenon or Cabota, which are both membrane systems.
Mr. James stated that there is a project in Sound View that does not appear to have a septic system on it. Mr. Rose stated that this is a sore subject with him. He noted that Mr. Scully called because he wanted to know why Mr. Rose approved a system that has two buildings sharing a system. Mr. Rose stated that Ms. Balint was provided a set of plans and she ran to the DEP and said what is Mr. Rose doing which precipitated the phone call. He indicated that Ms. Balint had the wrong plans. Mr. Risom indicated that Ms. Brown must have sent the wrong plans. Mr. Rose stated that he sometimes allows people to improve their homes in exchange for repairing their system. He noted that Zoning does not like that and they are killing everything that the Health Department does by going to Marcy
or up to the DEP and putting pressure on him through Bob Scully.
Mr. Rose stated that he talked to Mike Wells last week who indicated that he would send a letter to Zoning asking them to stay out of it. He noted that Mr. Metcalf is not a certified health director and should not be reviewing the septic plans. Mr. Risom stated that whenever a project is in the Coastal Resource District it must be referred to Ms. Balint, which is why Zoning refers it. Mr. Rose suggested that Ms. Balint should discuss her issues with Mr. Rose before she runs to Mr. Scully. Mr. Rose stated that Hartford Avenue’s newest plan has a neighbor abandoning a well for the reserve area.
Mr. Rose stated that the question is does the Commission want him to keep going the way he is going by getting as much septic as they can or do they want him to go along with Zoning and stop things from progressing. Mr. Risom stated that he was at the Zoning Meeting and the reason it came up was because both Tom Metcalf and Marcie Balint questioned the septic. He noted that it came up that the system was approved by Mr. Rose and then revoked. Mr. Rose indicated that he never approved it. Mr. Risom stated that it was stated on the record that he did approve it and the developer’s time schedule was delayed because of it. Mr. Risom stated that if it was never approved and still not approved, then the Zoning Commission received bad information.
Mr. Rose stated that when he gives approval on a project he tries to get as much septic as he can. He indicated that unless the Commission tells him otherwise, he will continue that way. Mr. James stated that he believes Mr. Rose should be on the conservative side. Mr. Risom agreed, and noted that this is the first project under the new SVVD Regulations. He stated that the Public Health Code does not change. Mr. Rose stated that they are trying to improve the squalor on Hartford Avenue. Mr. Risom agreed and noted that Mr. Kastner has submitted a great plan for Hartford Avenue.
Mr. James stated that Marilyn Guiliano has assured him that the money has been voted to write the Regulations for the Health Department’s control of alternative systems.
Mr. Tolchinsky stated that he believes the WPCA should write a letter to the BOE indicating that the WPCA or the Sanitarian never approved of the Xenon System.
A motion was made by Mr. Tolchinsky, seconded by Mr. James and voted unanimously to write a letter to the BOE indicating that the WPCA never approved of their proposed system and to refute the minutes of the November 30, 2002 Board of Education Meeting.
Mr. Tolchinsky and Mr. James indicated that they would work together on writing this letter. They would seek input from Mr. Roberts.
Ms. Grogan indicated that she has not received any reports from Doris. She noted that her numbers indicate that they carried forward $21,750.00 and to date they have spent $5,009.00. Ms. Grogan questioned whether the WPCA was responsible for the septage transfer station permit. Mr. Risom indicated that they are not and the bill should go to Tim Griswold. She noted that she included this in the $5,009.00 so in actuality only approximately $1,000.00 has been spent to date.
Mr. Risom stated that Mr. Yuknat’s filter press is in full operation and asked if the Commission members would like to come view it. He indicated that some one has found a way to squeeze triglycerides out of the grease from grease traps and turn it into bio-diesel. He indicated that Mr. Yuknat could get State and Federal funding to process the fat for fuel.
Mr. Roberts stated that he owns $50,000.00 worth of stock in the Connecticut Water Company and he would abstain if there was any vote pertaining to them.
Mr. Roberts stated that in talking to Attorney Wells about Point O’ Woods’ sewers, it was Attorney Wells feeling that the longer the POW people can delay a final decision, the closer they will come to avoid having the sewers because Federal funds are drying up and the little money left is harder and harder to get. He noted that alternative technologies are getting more and more accepted.
Mr. Risom stated that if the agreement is between the POW WPCA and the State and the POW WPCA ceases to exist, then a lawyer could probably null and void the agreement.
Mr. Breunig noted that they are monitoring several areas in Rogers Lake and in the beach areas. He indicated that they have discussed adding more sites. Mr. Risom noted that the Commission has already agreed to add the new wells.
Mr. Breunig stated that the list of no-pumps has been reduced to 39. Mr. Risom noted that he received his notice that his property will reach the five year mark at the end of the year. Mr. Breunig stated that he will discuss the enforcement issue with Attorney Wells.
Sanitarian’s Report
Mr. Rose indicated that the pumping numbers are down. Mr. Risom noted that 98 percent of the homes in Old Lyme are in compliance with the pumping regulations. He noted that any system working within 2 percent of perfect is good.
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m. on a motion by Angus McDonald and seconded by Dimitry Tolchinsky; so voted unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan J. Bartlett
Recording Secretary
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