Date: Fri 06-Oct-1995

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

WPCA-septic-system-repairs

Full Text:

WPCA Pushes Program To Help With Private Septic System Repair

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) is continuing to work toward town

participation in a state low-interest loan program intended to subsidize

private property owners' expenses when the property owners repair their

failing septic systems.

Peter Grose, of Fuss and O'Neill, Inc, the town's sewering project consulting

engineers, told WPCA members September 28 that talks with state Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP) water pollution officials have indicated state

support for town participation in such a septic system repair project.

Such a repair program would dovetail with the ongoing municipal sewering

project in that qualified property owners repairing their failing septic

systems would get the same two percent annnual interest rate on loans that

residential property owners will get to pay off sewer system construction

costs. The overall $660,000 septic system repair program includes funds for

repair work as well as administrative expenses.

Mr Grose said DEP officials are interested in having Newtown particpate in an

effective septic system repair program, not a program that takes "a band-aid

approach" to septic system failures.

Eligibility questions, concerning which residents will be allowed to

participate in a septic system repair program, will be resolved, Mr Grose

said.

Martha Wright, the town's senior sanitarian, said that state funding for

septic system repairs could be used for either repairing individual septic

systems or repairing failing "community" septic systems. Community systems are

systems which serve a number of residences.

In administering a subsidized septic system repair program for local

homeowners, it would be the WPCA's task to determine whether an "on-site"

solution to a problem is feasible in a given place, said Peter Alagna, WPCA

chairman.

A WPCA subcommittee will meet to develop a strategy on the topic, he said.

WPCA members then discussed how best to publicize the expected availability of

subsidized loans for property owners to repair septic systems.

WPCA member Tim Lachapelle said he expects that people who are experiencing

problems with their septic systems would approach the WPCA.

Mr Grose said the consulting engineers will be meeting with DEP offcials to

discuss the sections of town where it would be most practical for septic

system repairs to be done.

Some areas with failing septic systems have small building lots, so repairs

are impractical there due to a lack of space for septic system construction

work.

The amount of construction work needed to repair or replace a failing septic

system and the resulting costs to do the work vary, depending upon the extent

of the problem and site conditions.

The consulting engineers, DEP officials, and town officials plan to meet soon

to discuss the envisioned septic system repair program.

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 06-Oct-1995

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