This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Under Equal Protection

In an August 2009 referendum, Old Saybrook voted by a 3-1 margin to implement a Decentralized Wastewater Management District (WWMD) and associated funding encompassing 15 focus areas of 2,000 properties.

The adoption of the WWMD Ordinance and Upgrade Standards was the result of a year-long effort by the Board of Selectmen, staff, state and local agencies, and legal and engineering consultants to develop the legal documents and facilities plan, hold public information sessions, and educate residents about the program. In 2010, the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) began the bidding and construction of onsite septic system upgrades in Phase I.

As of 2016, the program is in the second phase with more than 500 systems installed and more than 800 designated “Upgrade Compliant.”

“And associated funding” means Question 2 (cited here) of the Aug. 11, 2009, referendum: “Shall the Town of Old Saybrook appropriate $42,171,200 for the design and construction of decentralized wastewater management systems within the Decentralized Wastewater Management District and issue the town’s bonds, notes, or other obligations in an amount not to exceed $42,171,200 to finance said appropriation, and provide ongoing funding of administrative costs for the systems?” The vote was 1,691 “Yes” and 1,062 “No.”

Under equal protection, I believe the town will of necessity not only pay for upgraded septic systems within the Decentralized Wastewater Management District, but for any new or upgraded system within the Town of Old Saybrook. The town will return any monies (with interest, and reimburse any legal fees incurred) collected from those unfortunates within the WWMD previously billed by WPCA and to anyone who upgraded and paid for a system outside the purview of the WPCA or CRAHD.

Joel Anderson

Old Saybrook