Sewer line extension plan detailed

Aging septic tanks are ‘at the end of their life’

TORRINGTON — The planned extension of sewer lines on Homestead Road and Kimball Lane can’t come too soon, residents at a public hearing told the Water Pollution Control Authority this week.

“The septic tanks are at the end of their life,” said Stephen Ahschula, whose property is one of about 20 in the neighborhood slated to receive public sewer service. “Many (residents) are retired and it would be difficult for them to be able to install new septic systems.”

The extension of service was approved after residents petitioned the city last fall to “revisit the installation of sanitary sewers in this area due to potentially failing septic systems.”

According to minutes from the September 2017 meeting, resident Steven Roy told the authority members that the septic systems are from the 1950s and 1960s.

The minutes state that Roy said “16 out of 18 residents of the neighborhood signed a petition saying they would like the City to install this sewer line.”

The residents’ request prompted the city to approve a capital improvement program in December 2017 of $400,000 from the sanitary sewer capital fund.

“The septic systems are very old. You can smell the ones that have failed,” said resident Joseph Ramirez during Tuesday’s hearing.

Robert Cusati, of Homestead Road, said, “I believe that each residence will have an assessment for the sewer (service) of $1,500.”

He wondered if a new home were built on the street if that resident would also pay an assessment.

“If the subdivision has new homes, (owners) could be assessed,” said Ray Drew, the Water Pollution Control Authority administrator.

Drew said residents who have already paid the new sewer service fee could see a reimbursement from a new homeowner, which would provide equal assessments for all customers.

Steven Cerutto, vice president of the Torrington Water Co. , said he supports the extension of the sewer system. “We’re for it, it would simplify,” the company’s operations,” he said.

A timeline for construction of the sewer extension wasn’t available from city officials.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Ray Drew, administrator for the Water Pollution Control Authority, talks about the assessment charges for the proposed sanitary sewer installation.

Gail Olsen, a homeowner on Homestead Road, asks about easements required for the proposed sewer line.