History Leading to the Formation of the OLSBA Water Polution Control Authority
Beginning in 2008, possibly earlier, discussions among and between residents of The Old Lyme Shores Beach Association (OLSBA) and the OLSBA Board of Governors (BOG) focused on several issues and concerns contributing to suspected inadequate wastewater handling at Old Lyme Shores. Concerns included periodic and significant street flooding, particularly on lower Seaspray Road and Saltaire Road at Sea Lane, and standing water (groundwater) in the yards and on the roads at several of our resident’s properties. Also, backyard drainage trenches were considered problematic due to rapid flows of potentially contaminated ground and surface water towards the sound. Issues with aging, end-of-life and failing septic systems along with antiquated cesspools were also of concern. Collectively these issues and concerns along with growing awareness of increased scrutiny by state officials, regarding likely inadequate wastewater handling measures among the beach communities, led to more formal discussion at BOG meetings.
The OLSBA voted at the September 2010 meeting to conduct a Wastewater Control Study to determine the best possible solution for the future management of wastewater for the Association. The Board of Governors established a Water Pollution Control Committee in 2010 to undertake a Wastewater Control Study. In October 2010, the committee published a Public Notice for Qualifications and seven (7) engineering firms were interviewed. Fuss & O’Neill was selected after extensive review and interviews.
Fuss & O’Neill presented their background study, also known as a Facilities Plan, at the June 18, 2011 Spring Association Meeting. The report summarized salient facts including high density development (192 developed lots on 56 acres, or an average of .29 acres/dwelling), and sloping terrain leading to exposure to 750 feet of shoreline. Other notable findings included the average age (in 2011) of dwellings was 59 years, aging and inadequate septic systems, and nearly 25% of residents reporting problems with flooding and/or surface drainage.
A Public Hearing was held on December 6, 2011, following two required Public Notices. Fuss & O’Neil and members from OLSBA participated, and F&O gave their presentation: “Wastewater Facilities Plan Public Hearing, December 6, 2011”
OLSBA Spring Association Meeting – June 16, 2012:
Fuss and O’Neil presented their recommendations for a Centralized Wastewater Management Plan.
Following the F&O presentation, the membership voted to adopt an “Ordinance Establishing a Water Pollution Control Authority” (WPCA) pursuant to the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 103. The WPCA is responsible to plan, design and construct the wastewater management system. Once the system is constructed the WPCA will manage the system, assess benefits to property owners, and collect fees to pay for, operate, and maintain the system. A letter was posted announcing the Formation of the OLSBA WPCA.
A Call to the Special Association Meeting (OLSBA), to be held on August 11, 2012, was posted on July 2, 2012, This notice also provided considerable background regarding project steps and the status of ongoing discussions. Association members at that Special Association Meeting voted to approve the Resolution Appropriating $9,700,000 for the Planning, Acquisition, Design and Construction of a Sanitary Sewer System to Serve The Old Lyme Shores Beach Association and Authorizing the Issuance of $9,700,000 Clean Water Fund Obligations and/or Drinking Water Obligations of the Old Lyme Shores Beach Association to Meet Said Appropriation. There were 135 votes in favor of the motion (85%) and 30 votes opposed. Therefore, the motion carried and the resolution was adopted.
In summary, the OLSBA WPCA was established in June of 2012 to begin addressing the environmental and potential health safety issues identified in the Facilities Plan (a.k.a Background Study) on behalf of the entire OLSBA community. In October of 2012, the OLSBA entered into the initial Consent Order with the Connecticut DEEP which required the OLSBA to undertake actions to develop and implement a Wastewater Management Plan. A request for an extension for the compliance date was later granted. In 2018, the three beaches (OLSBA, OCBCA, MBA) entered into a Unified Consent Order, and developed plans for a shared infrastructure to include a the pump house, odor control station, and forced main line to East Lyme.
March 26, 2021
Links to Reference Documents (also highlighted in above text)
Wastewater Facilities Plan – Update – June 18, 2011
Link —> June Presentation_R5
Wastewater Facilities Plan – Public Hearing – December 6, 2011
Link —> 2011 Dec 6 OLSBA F&O presentation 1206_Public Hearing Presentation_R2 (1)
WPCA Ordinance and Ordinance Approval at the OLSBA Association Meeting, June 12, 2012
Link —> 2012 OLSBA-WPCA-Ordinance-20120616 (1)
Link —> 2012 June 12 OLS association minutes OLD LYME SHORES BEACH ASSOCIATION (1)
WPCA Formation Announcement
Link —> 2012 June OLSBA-WPCA Formation Announcement
Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 103 – Municipal Sewage Systems
Link —> https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_103.htm
Call to Special Association Meeting
Link —> 2012 July 2 CALL to SPECIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING on Aug 11,2012
Special Meeting – Vote to Approve the Resolution to Appropriate Funding for the Sewer Project
Link —> 2012 Aug 11 SPECIAL ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
DEEP Initial Consent Order
Link —> 2012 Oct 1 CONSENT ORDER with 2016 extension
DEEP Unified Consent Order
Link —> 2018 FEB 14 UNIFIED CONSENT ORDER SIGNED _Unified Consent Order Signed