Town creates water pollution control authority

HADDAM — Residents voted this week to create a water pollution control authority, paving the way for town leaders to continue to develop Higganum center.

First Selectman Robert McGarry said the four people present at the meeting all voted for the commission’s creation. The move was necessary so the town can prepare for any development or change of use in the center, which is built on industrial fill, he added.

“There’s a couple of residents, but the commercial buildings down there have septic or holding tanks,” he said.

McGarry said septic or holding tanks in the center are fine — as long as they function correctly. But, he said, any change of use for those properties, such as a converting a bank building into a restaurant, will need a WPCA to approve the plans.

“A restaurant, generating more water, would have to redo their septic system,” he said. “Probably, under current regulations, you couldn’t put a leach field in the soil that they’re in.”

McGarry said one of the main reasons for buying the Haddam Elementary School property two years ago was to put a community septic system there. In order to achieve that, the state requires the town to have a WPCA.

The resolution passed Wednesday evening gave the WPCA the authority to “develop and enforce activities to protect the groundwater and aquifers” in town. Any regulations passed by the group also have to be approved by the town’s legislative body.

The board will consist of the three selectmen, who will be on the board for the duration of their term, as well as two alternates. The alternates, who will be appointed by the Board of Selectman, will serve three-year terms.

McGarry said this is the first time he has run into a situation where a WPCA is required, as it is needed for development, a change of use for existing buildings, or if an existing building has a septic system failure.