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Shelton WPCA authorizes sewer relocation, requires 30-foot maintenance easement and limits pipe cover to 15 feet
Summary
The Shelton City WPCA authorized a private sewer relocation at 48 Long Hill Cross Road after the applicant agreed to engineering conditions including reinforced concrete pipe, a maximum 15-foot cover and a 30-foot maintenance easement to be recorded with the town clerk.
The Shelton City Water Pollution Control Authority on an unspecified date authorized a sewer relocation across private property at 48 Long Hill Cross Road to allow commercial development, after the applicant accepted engineering changes intended to ensure future access and maintenance.
Manny Sola, representing the applicant and identified in the meeting as from Rose T Zone Company, told the WPCA the proposal moves an existing gravity sewer line farther north to open the southern portion of the lot for development. Sola said the revised plan increases the pipe diameter to 24 inches (up from 21) and benches the slope so the new line will have no more than 15 feet of soil cover at its deepest point. "We had some comments from your reviewing engineer. One of them was to have the pipe no deeper than 15 feet," Sola said.
A WPCA engineering reviewer and meeting speaker identified as Doug said the agency's earlier review flagged the original design because some manholes and pipe cover would be difficult to access. "Our comments when we did the review were geared at making sure the manhole could be accessed and maintained moving forward," Doug said, noting the original plan showed depths near 31 feet. He added the requested changes — shallower cover, larger manholes and an access way — were intended to allow future maintenance by vac trucks or CCTV equipment.
The applicant also agreed to use reinforced concrete pipe rather than PVC, to provide a gravel access way over the pipeline for maintenance, and to grant a 30-foot easement in perpetuity in favor of the City of Shelton for maintenance of the line. Sola said the easement will be placed on the plan and that, after approval and construction, the team will file a recorded easement map and deed with the town clerk.
WPCA members discussed whether the item required a formal approval or only administrative sign-off. The board chose to move forward with a vote authorizing the administrator to permit the project to proceed as presented, with the condition that engineers inspect installation and that an as-built plan be provided after construction. A motion to authorize proceeding was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Clarifying details noted at the meeting included the planned permanent 30-foot maintenance easement, a maximum pipe cover of 15 feet, a proposed upsize to a 24-inch gravity sewer, the reviewer’s request for enlarged manholes to permit vehicle access, and a requirement that an as-built be submitted following completion. The applicant also agreed to place a gravel access way above the line to reach manholes and appurtenances.
The WPCA did not adopt a new ordinance or change existing regulations at the meeting; the action authorized the administrator to allow the privately funded relocation to proceed subject to the engineering clarifications and inspection requirements described above. The board signaled it would expect inspection and recordation steps before final acceptance of the work.
