08/15/2021 OLSBA BOG Meeting Minutes
Zoom and 56 Saltaire Dr, Old Lyme
BOG in attendance:
- Matt Merritt (MM), Bryan Even (BE), MaryKate Reynolds (MKR), Tom Annulli (TA), Norm Yester (NY), Al Roy (AR); Cliff Winkel (CW), Jay Moynihan(JM), Kathi Stickley(KS)
- Absent: Joanne Gilland (JG),
MMcalled the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
Minutes from 06/06/21 OLS BOG Meeting were approved (JM and KS abstained)
AR reviewed communication events including use of MailChimp campaign by the WPCA. Again members were encouraged to review the “vast amounts of information” on the website oldlymeshores.org/wpca-WPCA website pages including the WPCA Summer Updates. Summer updates from the WPCA were sent out to over 240 email addresses provided by members and families. The updates were successfully delivered to 240 recipients via email, and within 24 hours over 70% of them opened the email, and 45% of those clicked on the “read more” links. We will continue to use MailChimp for meeting notices, agendas, and future updates.
On Friday, August 13, F&O learned that DEEP completed their final review of documents related to the rebid of the Shared Infrastructure portion of the project which is now comprised of the Pump Station and Odor Control Facility, Gravity Trunk Line, and Forced Main projects. Bid results for the shared project will provide insights on the potential cost for our internal project, with intent to advertise within a month following the shared project. However, it is entirely possible that the cost of the shared and internal projects will still exceed the bonding capacity.
ARstated that because of COVID, shared bids to the sewer project are being advertised in highly uncertain times causing extreme volatility in labor and material costs and availability. A letter signed by the three beach associations and the Town of Old Lyme (The Cost Sharing Agreement group) was sent to our state and federal elected representatives seeking assistance in securing funding for the sewer projects. We are working with an aid from US Representative Joe Courtney’s office to set up a meeting.
A discussion ensued regarding “what if” scenarios should the total cost of the bids exceed our authorized bonding capacity. Potential scenarios include options for moving forward with new funding, and strategies for seeking relief from the consent order, and will be presented at the Annual Fall Meeting. Any decision to stop the project could expose the associations to significant and highly problematic legal, contractual, and financial issues. NYrecommended BOG engage an environment consulting firm to analyze requirements of the consent order, review findings from the Facilities Wastewater Plan, and identify the feasibility of alternative compliance measures. Measures such as a mandated septic system upgrade to individual properties and a mandated pump-out schedule, along with periodic groundwater testing could be considered.
Annual Fall Meeting will be held 9/18/2021 at 10:00 AM Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Joanne Gilland, Secretary