1.         Call to Order

PRESENT: Bryan Osborne, Public Works Director

OTHERS: Alicia Tebeau-Sherry, Wayne Elliott, Dan Guerino

Public Works Director Bryan Osborne called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

2.         Malletts Bay Sewer Project Environmental Review Presentation

Aldrich + Elliott (A+E) Water Resource Engineers President Wayne Elliott briefly described the Malletts Bay Sewer project, noting its objective of replacing on-site wastewater systems in the inner Malletts Bay with a new public municipal sewer system and that project construction is tentatively scheduled to start next year. He noted that 7,500 ft of gravity sewers will start at West Lakeshore Dr. and a low-pressure sewer system will continue north on East Lakeshore Dr., with all flow draining south west towards the new West Lakeshore Dr. pump station.

Mr. Elliott reiterated that all federally-funded projects require an environmental review to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). He explained that this process helps identify environmental impacts early on in order to assess potential impacts and design edits, and that this public hearing is the third step after State design staff evaluate and verify information in the environmental report. He added that once the 30-day public comment period ends and comments are considered, an environmental review determination can be issued.

Mr. Elliott summarized the elements evaluated during the environmental review process, including: air quality, water quality and quantity, wetlands/water resources, floodplains, stream alteration, stream crossings, endangered species, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, historic preservation, pubic lands, NEPA, population, socio-economics, land use, and growth. He elaborated on mitigation for impacted resources that the Malletts Bay Sewer Project would affect, including: obtaining stream alteration permits from the State, insulating underground infrastructures and installing pipe via directional bore to mitigate stream crossings and floodplain impacts; referring to archeological studies to mitigate historical preservation impacts; and working with State ecologists to mitigate impacts on two wetlands identified in the project’s area and concurrence was received from the State that no impacts were identified to rare or threatened or endangered species.

Mr. Elliott concluded that this project’s purpose it to replace the on-site wastewater systems with a new public sewer system for protection of water quality; that mitigation strategies have been addressed successfully; and that due to federal-funding requirements, collaboration with the State is necessary to ensure the construction and the long-term project outlook will protect human and natural environments.

3.         Open the Public Hearing

Public Works Director Bryan Osborne opened the floor for public comment 6:23 pm.

Dan Guerino asked when the project will be completed and where the sewer will be pumped, and Wayne Elliott explained the project is a three- to four-year project; that the project is currently being permitted, with construction starting next year; and that the sewers will be pumped to Route 7 where it will be connected to the Town’s existing sewer system.

Mr. Guerino also asked if a major pump station has been located on East Lakeshore Dr., and Mr. Elliott clarified that, while a pump station was initially proposed there, the design has been re-evaluated and changed to a low-pressure sewer system along East Lakeshore Dr., for which each house will have a small grinder pump and will be responsible for the electrical costs.

Mr. Guerino asked what will happen to existing systems, and Mr. Elliott explained they will be the responsibility of the contractor, so they will likely pump the septic, leave the tank if there is room, and fill it in.

Mr. Guerino asked if the project will have any impact on stormwater fees, and Public Works Director Bryan Osborne clarified they would not have an impact, as they are two separate utilities.

5.         Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.