Project Links
The Brookfield WPCA held an informal public hearing on September 28th, in which preliminary plans were discussed to connect properties to municipal sewer on Dean Road, Pocono Road and several houses on Silvermine Road. We ask that you answer the questions below, and return to the WPCA at the address below. Please take care of this soon. The survey is due back by January 9, 2019 at the latest for your voice to be heard. For your convenience, at the bottom of this page find a list of questions and comments that were discussed at the September 28 meeting.
What is the approximate age of your septic system? ____________________
Have you ever had repair work done on your septic? ____________________
If yes, what year were the repairs done? ____________________
Have there been problems with your septic system in the last 5 years? ____ Y ____ N ____ Unsure
Have there been challenges with your septic system during heavy rains? ____ Y ____ N ____ Unsure
Are you in favor of sewers in your neighborhood? ____ Y ____ N ____ Unsure
Please give an explanation as to why or why not, and any comments you may have:
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Please note that if a response is not received by January 9, we will mark you as a Yes, in favor of sewers.
Download and mail or bring survey form to WPCA, 53 Commerce Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
Informational Public Hearing-Dean Road/Pocono Road Sewer Extension Discussion
Questions and Comments from the Public:
– Ken Kruzansky, 116 Pocono Road: K. Kruzansky asked about the accuracy of the lines drawn on the map. C. Utschig explained how the maps are drawn. K. Kruzansky said they have a pump chamber system now and asked if they would use the existing pump. He noted the pump is about 50 feet from the house. C. Utschig said that would be decided on a case by case basis.
– Paul Larsson, 1 Dean Road: P. Larsson asked if the individual homeowner would be responsible for taking down trees that might be in the way of these lines. C. Utschig said there is some flexibility in the way the lines run and would tree to avoid trees but typically anything related to the project gets put into the budget.
– Ken Kruzansky, 116 Pocono Road: K. Kruzansky noted a tree right at the road line. C. Utschig said that they would try to avoid trees when possible.
– John Watters, 36 Dean Road: J. Watters asked if the lower pressure system pulverizes the sewage. C. Utschig explained how the grinder pump works. J. Watters also asked if they would now be charged a sewer tax. Chairman N. Malwitz said there would be a benefit assessment and a usage charge. He explained how the usage is assessed. J. Watters asked if the Town will hook up to the house or if the home owner will be responsible to hook up. He asked if the home owner will have to get a contractor to hook up to the Town line, or if that is all included in the assessment. C. Utschig said in the case of the estimate of the low pressure system all of the work from the septic system out to the street is included. In the case of the gravity system, they have provided a lateral that goes to the property line and the connection from there to the septic system is currently not included in that budget. J. Watters asked if something went wrong with the pump who would have to pay to have it fixed. C. Utschig said typically that would be the homeowner’s responsibility.
– J. Sienkiewicz, Attorney: J. Sienkiewicz asked about the pipe that comes out of the can and if it is an easy installation. C. Utschig said it is a shallow installation. He explained one of the advantages of the low pressure system is how easy it is to install, and that is why there is such a difference in the cost of this system as opposed to the gravity system.
– Richard Haseney, 46 Silvermine Road: R. Haseney asked about details of the main pipe. C. Utschig explained how the system works. R. Haseney asked if there was a power failure and you didn’t have a generator, if you would then have no sewer. C. Utschig said in the case of the low pressure system, the pump would stop, but the septic system would give you a holding capacity.
– John Watters, 36 Dean Road: J. Watters said he has a generator, and asked if that would be able to push the flow for everyone else without a generator. C. Utschig said he would have to think about that question.
McGinniss, 179 Pocono Road: Ms. McGinnis asked what percentage of families are needed to go forward with the project. C. Utschig said they haven’t done that analysis yet.
– John Watters, 36 Dean Road: J. Watters asked if the sewer will be put in regardless of what the people think. Chair N. Malwitz said “No.” But it is either all homes get serviced or none.
Ken Kruzansky, 116 Pocono Road: K. Kruzansky said if the low pressure estimate already has built in the cost of hooking of all the houses it doesn’t matter what percent of people hook up. Chairman N. Malwitz said each property will pay the benefit assessment regardless of hooking up or not.
– Wayne Gravius, 25 Dean Road: W. Gravius asked if they could mark the houses on the map that have had septic repairs. Chairman N. Malwitz said if that was done 95% would be marked.
P. Avery, Town Sanitarian: P. Avery said he is not sure what the percentage would be of the systems that have needed repair at this time but discussed his concerns with the soils in the neighborhood and discussed the results of the water testing he has done in the area.
– Wayne Gravius, 25 Dean Road: W. Gravius asked if they are running this system down to the Four Corners. Chairman N. Malwitz said no. C. Utschig said the buildings on the other side of the bridge have an alternative solution, not this system.
– McGinniss, 179 Pocono Road: Ms. McGinnis asked about how old these houses are and if it would be considered typical for the septics to have had repairs.
– P. Avery, Town Sanitarian: P. Avery said yes, it would be typical to have a repair but when they make repairs in this neighborhood he can’t do it in accordance with the code because of the soils. He said the soils are poorly draining, wetland type soils.
– D. Vala, 162 Pocono Road: D. Vala asked if putting these pumps in or near a septic that is failing is going to be an issue. Chair N. Malwitz said no because it will no longer go out into the fields, it will go into the pump and then leave the property through a pipe.
– J. Salvato, 158 Pocono Road: J. Salvato asked if the pollution of the Still River and 7 failing septic systems is bringing up this issue for 95 homes. He asked couldn’t the Still River still be polluted from 40-50 years ago? Chairman N. Malwitz said they are looking at the nutrients going into the river now. P. Avery said the more essential issue is the poorly draining soils which do not allow him to repair systems to code. He discussed possible issues with the inspections upon the sale of the homes in this neighborhood.
– B. Purr, 8 Dean Road: B. Purr asked if this doesn’t pass, what are the options for homeowners with failing septic systems? P. Avery said when he fixed a system that they can’t bring to code they highlight the information on the permit that discusses the reasons it doesn’t meet the code and encourage the home owner to conserve water. Chair N. Malwitz said the sewer would be a permanent solution for the homes in this neighborhood.
– Ken Kruzansky, 116 Pocono Road: K. Kruzansky said if this were to go forward, the people with issues would try to defer fixing their systems. Chair N. Malwitz said if it were to go forward it would probably take roughly 2 years to complete.
– B. Purr, 8 Dean Road: B. Purr asked when would the process start? Chair N. Malwitz said he thinks the next thing they will do is send out another survey to the homeowners with some of these discussion points and proceed from there. He said there will need to be a more formal public hearing in order to get financing. There has already been approval by the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Commission in 2012.
– C. Purr, 8 Dean Road: C. Purr asked what would happen to the homes with failing septic systems if this project gets shut down? Chair N. Malwitz said that is not the WPCA’s purview but property owner would need to work with P. Avery and an engineer.
– J. Salvato, 158 Pocono Road: J. Salvato asked how deep they are planning to put the line? C. Utschig said they haven’t worked out all of those details but the gravity system would probably be 4-5 feet at its shallowest end and at its deepest it could go 15-18 feet. The low pressure system would be right below the frost line.
– John Watters, 36 Dean Road: J. Watters asked about the capacity of the can. C. Utschig said about a day’s flow.
– S. Egelhoff, 132 Pocono Road: S. Egelhoff asked how hard it would be to replace the pump? C. Utschig said it is very straightforward and explained the process briefly.
– D. Eirich, 136 Pocono Road: D. Eirich asked if another survey was going out and if they could put the cost of the sewer system and the cost of a new septic system in the survey for comparison. Chair N. Malwitz said they could put the average cost of repairing a septic system. P. Avery said the average cost of repairing a septic system is anywhere from $12,000-$22,000.