Consultants present wastewater study with decentralized options for Wilton Springs and Cosby areas

OM Advisors gave an overview of a federally funded wastewater study covering Wilton Springs south to the state line and other priority zones, emphasizing that the document is a study "menu" of options rather than an adopted master plan. Mary Zabra, a planner with OM Advisors, summarized public engagement and said residents favored protecting natural vistas while permitting clustered 'village-style' development in nodal areas with sewer access.

Engineer Greg Sanford outlined the technical approach: because the study area lacks sewer, the consultants recommended decentralized treatment facilities with low-pressure collection systems as an affordable, scalable "zero-to-one" strategy that can be expanded over time. Sanford and Zabra recommended pursuing grants and coordinating with Newport Utilities as the regional service partner. "We want to build something with just enough capacity to meet very short-term needs," Sanford said, arguing this approach reduces upfront costs and enables incremental growth.