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Board told DEC ordered three-month pause on development reviews over sewage overflow issues; members discuss education, inspections and infrastructure fixes
Summary
Meeting record notes an EPA/DEC inspection and a reported notice that the town would receive a three-month pause on DEC development reviews until combined-sewer overflow problems are addressed; board members discussed resident education, home inspections, stormwater fixes and potential plant upgrades.
During the June 26 meeting a board member reported that state regulators had inspected the wastewater treatment operations and that the town would receive notice of a three-month pause on DEC development reviews until infiltration/inflow and combined-sewer overflow issues are addressed.
The meeting transcript states the pause affects approvals for new construction pending corrective measures to reduce stormwater infiltration into the sanitary system. Board participants said developers with already-approved projects (for example projects already under construction) are unaffected, but that approvals issued from the date of the pause forward would be re-examined.
Members discussed likely remedies and outreach steps. Ideas included house-to-house inspections to identify sump pumps or other improper hookups, public education on separating stormwater from the sanitary system, and short-term partnerships with local plumbers to offer discounted corrective work to residents. The transcript also referenced the potential of larger infrastructure solutions—stormwater system maintenance, permeable surfaces, detention ponds—and mentioned a proposed $10 million upgrade to the town’s water/wastewater infrastructure under review for federal grants.
Board participants said the problem is partly driven by infiltration and by stormwater entering sanitary lines during heavy rainfall; they described how that causes the treatment plant and sewer system to reach capacity during storms and produces combined-stormwater discharges that triggered DEC concern. The idea of seeking climate-related or infrastructure grants (including state or federal programs) was raised as part of a strategy to fund upgrades.
Next steps recorded: the board discussed preparing public education materials, coordinating with town staff to identify the date range of homes most likely to have combined systems (so outreach can be targeted), and following up with town officials about inspection and remediation programs that might be required or funded.
