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08/29/2017 12:00 AMCiting uncertainty with the state budget, the Board of Finance decided to table its decision on whether to approve the appropriation and bond authorization of $5.15 million for the Rocky Ledge water main.
The board voted Aug. 21 to table the project. That means the next step required for the project to go forward, approval at a town-wide referendum, won’t happen happened during the November referendum, unless the Board of Finance has a special meeting to get the question to the town clerk in time for it to appear in the November referendum.
The project was intended to satisfy a state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection mandate that the town solve its contaminated groundwater issue. Many of the more than 120 homes in the Rocky Ledge area (Rocky Ledge Drive, Woodland Drive, Margo Lane, Oakwood Lane, Happy Acres Road, and homes on the west side of Route 81 between Happy Acres Road and Rocky Ledge Drive) were found to have high levels of nitrate and coliform bacteria in their well water, most likely due to failing septic systems. Many of the houses in these streets were built before modern zoning laws were adopted, and thus face issues such as having wells closer to septic tanks than is allowed, a problem compounded by a relatively shallow bedrock layer that gives standard septic systems insufficient depth to function.
Earlier this summer, two proposals were presented for the project earlier this summer. Under one proposal, the town would pay for 75 percent of the project, while homeowners paid for the on-lot costs. The other proposal would have the town pay for the whole project. Citing the substantial on-lot costs, the Board of Selectmen expressed a preference for the plan that featured the town paying for the entire project, but did not vote on that. The town has applied for grants to offset the cost, and is expecting a contribution from the Connecticut Water Company as well.
Board of Finance Chairman Jack Scherban said he agreed that having the town pay for the entire project was the correct course of action, but he also said he did not think the town should commit to that until more is known about the state budget, and how much money the town might get by way of reimbursement. At the Aug. 23 Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Carol Walter said the Water Pollution Control Commission would continue to communicate with the public about the project. There will be an informational meeting about the project on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. (location TBD), as well as information going to the homes located in the affected area.