Stratford WPCA backs amended ordinance allowing creation of sewer-avoidance zones, sends measure to Town Council

The Stratford Water Pollution Control Authority voted to recommend favorably to the Town Council an amended Ordinance 25-01 that would authorize the WPCA to define sewer-avoidance zones covering currently unsewered areas of town.

The measure, referred to the WPCA by the Town Council, moved forward after the panel approved a staff-drafted amendment that clarifies wording and adjusts a paragraph to align the ordinance with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and recent zoning changes. The WPCA voted unanimously to adopt the amendment; the subsequent motion to forward the ordinance with a favorable recommendation carried with one recorded dissent at the WPCA vote.

Why it matters: The ordinance would give the WPCA the ability — though not the obligation — to designate parts of Stratford as off-limits to sewer extension by creating sewer-avoidance zones in areas currently served by private septic systems. Supporters and the town attorney said the tool is intended to help the town manage growth, preserve open space and limit concentrated sewer service that can encourage higher-density development. Opponents and some members asked for more data and a clearer explanation of how the term “sufficient capacity” would be applied in practice.

What the ordinance does and the amendment: The adopted amendment performs two edits: it replaces several instances of the word “regulations” with “ordinances” for consistency, and it adjusts a paragraph (labeled “g” in the draft) to conform with the town’s POCD and zoning changes accepted last December. The WPCA’s legal adviser explained that under this ordinance process the WPCA would still determine the geographic scope of any avoidance area, and that the ordinance simply grants the authority to make those designations.

Questions and concerns raised: A member who identified themselves as a Fifth District councilman moved to table the amendment, saying the scope could affect public health, environmental policy and infrastructure and that the WPCA should provide data to support claims about sewage capacity. That motion failed for lack of a second. Multiple members requested that technical staff — including the director of public works or an engineer — be available when the ordinance returns to the Town Council, and asked for a map of sewered and unsewered districts to be provided in advance.

Legal context provided to the panel: The town attorney explained that Connecticut General Statute 8-30g (commonly referenced as “8-30g”) can, in some cases, override local rules where affordable housing is involved, but that courts focus on whether sewer access actually exists for a property. The attorney said that if sewers are not present, courts generally will not compel a WPCA to extend sewer service, so creating sewer-avoidance zones could offer a safeguard against unplanned sewer extension that might otherwise enable denser development.

Votes at a glance: The WPCA recorded two formal outcomes tied to this agenda item. The amendment to Ordinance 25-01 passed unanimously. The motion to send Ordinance 25-01, as amended, to the Town Council with a favorable recommendation passed (record shows one member voting opposed). A separate motion to table the amendment was made and not seconded, therefore not taken up.

Next steps and context: The WPCA will forward the amended ordinance to the Town Council for consideration; several WPCA members asked that town engineering staff or the director of public works (John Casey was named during the discussion) be present at the Council hearing and that a district sewer map and other technical materials be circulated to WPCA and Council members in advance.

Ending: The WPCA completed the ordinance business and adjourned later in the meeting. The ordinance will next appear on the Town Council agenda for final action.