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Selectman's report: WPCA moratorium likely to remain until equipment upgrades; camera study and UV system cited as next steps
Summary
Town leaders said the WPCA moratorium on new sewage connections will likely remain while the town addresses treatment-capacity limits. Officials described a phased response: a UV system to improve treatment (estimated at over $700,000 to be bonded), a recommended targeted camera study (~$150,000) to locate inflow-and-infiltration problems, and potential grant opportunities for green remediation of outfalls.
During the selectman's report, town officials updated the Board of Finance on the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) status and next steps to lift the moratorium on new connections.
Officials said the moratorium is driven by treatment-capacity constraints: existing equipment is insufficient to treat current dry-weather flows (separate from stormwater-related flows). The first phase to address capacity would be a UV disinfection system, which presenters estimated at just over $700,000 and that would likely be bonded. Separately, the inflow-and-infiltration (INI) study identified several likely trouble spots; staff recommended targeted camera investigations in select areas at an estimated cost of about $150,000 to better locate infiltration points. A beaver dam near the high school was also raised as a localized stormwater issue that is complicating assessment of a storm-water manhole cover.
Officials discussed grant-seeking as part of a multi-pronged strategy. They noted opportunities tied to programs targeting outfalls that feed Long Island Sound, potential USDA funding (which had been delayed by a federal shutdown), CMDA participation to move projects up regional candidate lists, and Clean Water Fund loans or grants for INI work. Presenters said some items (for example, the UV system) would be candidates for bonding while other pieces might be suitable for grants or low-interest loans.
Staff said they will return with a bonding plan that shows debt-service scenarios and the potential tax impact and will continue to pursue grants and partnerships. The board did not take formal action on the WPCA items during this meeting; the update was informational and described next-phase costs and planning steps.
