Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme WPCA Chairman Says Voting ‘No’ Won’t Eliminate the Need for Sewers — It Will Only Make Them More Expensive

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday, voters will be requested to authorize $20.5M of spending, of which about 50% will be granted or forgiven by the state; leaving a total of $9.415M to be financed and almost entirely paid for by the end users.  The BOS would like to scare you in stating the betterment assessment is $62,413, which includes estimates and interest.  The betterment assessment estimated by the WPCA uses actual bid amounts and does not include interest or the hook-up fee, is $32,711, and is in accordance with State Statute 7-249.

Sewers in this town are a controversial issue, but there are overriding reasons why they should be installed now (vs. later):

• The state is willing to fund 50% of this project – the first time ever that a town has received more than 25%
• Not approving the referendum DOES NOT remove the requirement to install sewers
• The DEEP and Town of Old Lyme entered into an Administrative Order that states that the town would work toward installing sewers
• If the Town stops working towards installing sewers, the DEEP will most likely issue a Consent Order, thereby directing the town to install sewers
• The DEEP has stated that this is the most important project in the state, and has determined Old Lyme is polluting
• The long-term viability of Sound View depends on sewers, since, as sea levels rise, there will be no viable way to install a septic system

Sewers make sense in Sound View and Area B.  Most septic systems that are installed currently do not meet state code, can cost well over $40K up front, and are allowed only because they are grandfathered. The population and soil conditions are such that there is not enough land to properly filter the sewage in the area.  Question:  Would you drink water from a well located in Sound View?

If the answer to the question above is “no,” I urge you to vote “YES” on Tuesday’s referendum.

Sincerely,