BOLTON LAKES SEWER PROJECT
Description/ Background:
After the completion of two engineering studies of the area, Consent Orders for the Bolton Lakes Sewer Project were issued to the Towns of Bolton and Vernon by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requiring them to install sewers to improve wastewater disposal at the homes in the Bolton Lakes area. This project will provide sanitary sewers to properties around Lower and Middle Bolton Lakes and along Route 44 in Bolton. Of the total sewer project, 71% is in Bolton and 29% is in Vernon. A low pressure sewer system using grinder pumps at each property will be used to limit disruption and control cost and the sewers will discharge to Manchester's sewer system for treatment. Sewer construction will be broken into 5 phases in order to maximize grant funding. Following preliminary work (survey, design, permitting, etc.), the first construction contract is expected to start in spring 2007 with a contract per year thereafter. Construction will start at the Manchester connection point and work generally easterly from there.
The primary reasons that on-site septic systems are inadequate as a long term solution are the very small size of the lots in the service area, shallow groundwater, poorly draining soils and proximity to both drinking water wells and the Bolton Lakes. Several engineering studies have concluded that off-site disposal, i.e. sewers, are needed, and the DEP is requiring the Towns to follow these conclusions.
This sewer system will:
·
Contribute to the safety of drinking water in the area
·
Protect the Lakes by improving the quality of the surface and ground water entering the lakes
·
Remove current limitations in water use at times of high groundwater levels
·
Improve property values
·
Lessen current constraints for use of properties along Route 44, which can promote economic development in accordance with the Town of Bolton's Plan of Conservation and Development
Bolton Lakes Regional Water Pollution Authority (BLRWPCA):
A new regional entity, the Bolton Lakes Regional Water Pollution Control Authority (BLRWPCA), has been formed to administer this project, which positioned the Towns to receive more grant funding. The BLRWPCA is made up of representatives from both Bolton and Vernon, and is backed financially by both towns.
What is the cost of the sewer project and how will it be funded?
The project is estimated to cost a total of just under $17 million. This cost includes allowances for inflation over the 6 years that the project will be under construction. The towns and the BLRWPCA have worked hard to line up loans and grants from both the DEP Clean Water Fund and the USDA Rural Development Program in order to control the local costs for the project. Over 50% of the project cost will be paid by grants with the rest paid by sewer benefit assessments and taxes.
Funding for this project is expected to come from 6 different sources:
1. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Clean Water fund - which will be providing grants and long term (20 year) loans. Grant estimated at $2,421,440.
2. The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program - which will be providing grants and loans. BLRWPCA is eligible for up to a 36% grant, $5,922,000.
3. A special federal grant - $500,000.
4. The users of the system through sewer benefit assessments ($10,000 per equivalent dwelling unit), Bolton $3,570,000 and Vernon $1,440,000.
5. The Town of Bolton will provide some funding via taxes, $1,606,958 or .35 mil.
6. The Town of Vernon will provide some funding via taxes, $919,602 or .050 mil.
My septic system is working fine, do I have to hook up to the system?
Yes, all developed properties within the Sewer Service Area must hook up to the new sewer system. While septic systems may appear to be working adequately from the surface, the soils, shallow groundwater and small lot size cause these discharges to have a negative impact to the environment and to pose a threat to public health through well contamination.
What is the cost to properties getting sewers?
Properties served by the sewers will pay a $10,000 benefit assessment for each home, or equivalent thereof. This can be financed over 20 years at 2% interest ($612/year). Other expenses to sewer users will include the cost of connecting buildings to the grinder pump and of crushing and filling your septic tank, as well as a sewer use fee to cover operating and maintenance costs (estimated at $450/year).
This project has been discussed for many years. Why has taken so long to get the project before the Town voters for approval?
Yes, the project has taken a long time to make it to this stage. Some of the major issues that have affected the timetable include:
·
While the State statutory framework has been in existence for more than a decade, this is the first Regional Water Pollution Control Authority to be established in the State of Connecticut, and the original statute had to be changed in order to establish the BLRWPCA. Setting up the BLRWPCA and developing the appropriate documents has proven to be a significant challenge.
·
The Towns have been working closely with State and Federal agencies to optimize the amount of grants provided to the BLRWPCA. Even an income survey had to be completed to qualify for the Rural Development program. The costs for this project are significant, and the Bolton Lakes Region has had to compete with other municipalities for any available funds. The availability of funding for this project has had a great influence on the scheduling of this project.
·
The financing plan for implementing the Bolton Lakes Sewer System has required ground-breaking arrangements between the Towns, and several State and Federal agencies in order to provide cost-effective arrangements for both short and long term financing.
What happens if one or both Towns vote down the Funding Ordinance?
Approval by both Towns is needed to proceed with the project. If there is a negative vote in one or both towns, the towns still need to comply with the DEP Consent Order, and eventually the DEP would enforce these requirements through the courts. The towns would be subject to significant fines if they do not comply. Voting against the Financing Ordinance now will put the significant grant and loan funding the BLRWPCA has lined up at serious risk. This may put the towns in a position where they are still required to construct the sewer system to satisfy the Consent Order, but without grant assistance and thus at much greater cost to the towns' taxpayers.
In summary:
Bolton and Vernon are required under a Consent Order from DEP to construct sewers in the Bolton Lakes area.
On September 27, a referendum will be held in both towns to vote on a Financing Ordinance to support the sewer project.
If the referendum is approved, the towns expect to fund more than 50% of the project cost of almost $17 million through state and federal grants.
If the referendum is not approved, the towns are at risk of forfeiting grant funding, but they are still required to install the sewers. The result would be much higher costs to taxpayers.
The information in this flyer is provided by the Bolton Board of Selectmen in order to inform citizens about the background and purpose of the upcoming referendum. Citizens are also invited to attend a Public Hearing at 7 p.m. on August 16 in the Center School All-Purpose Room to learn more about the project.
Town of Bolton
222 Bolton Center Road U.S. POSTAGE
Bolton, CT 06043 PAID
PERMIT NO. 41
BOLTON, CT
ECRWSS
Current Resident or
Boxholder
Bolton, CT 06043
