The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Residents sound off on pipeline
TORRINGTON — City residents came out to share their thoughts on the proposed Woodridge Lake Sewer District pipeline and speak to a necessary, fundamental resource Monday evening, as the second portion of a public hearing was held.
The Woodridge Lake housing development applied to construct a sewer line to connect to the Torrington sewer system in January, following months of deliberation at the state level.
The initial portion of the public hearing to replace Jan. 31, as attorneys and city residents spoke to the City Council, acting in this matter as the Water Pollution Control Authority.
As currently proposed, the pipeline would run in Goshen from Route 63 to Pie Hill Road, then to East Street South and Route 4, crossing into Torrington, then to Lovers Lane and on to Riverside Avenue.
A portion of the pipeline would run through the watershed area for the Allen Dam reservoir, which is used by the Torrington Water Co. The water company sent a letter to customers voicing opposition to the proposed route in October 2016, saying a break in the line could discharge raw sewage and affect the reservoir.
The speakers Monday were overwhelmingly against the proposal. Thoughts raised during the hearing included: the possibility of adversely affecting drinking water, the economic ramifications of such a deal, whether the city system can handle an increase in flow, and leaving a Goshen issue in that community.
“It would be foolish for Torrington to take on the sewer responsibilities for a wealthy community such as Woodridge Lake. If the city is compelled to let them connect to our sewer line, the very least they can do is to protect our water for eternity by avoiding the Allen Dam route, At some point, all piping, no matter how well built, will spring a leak,” said Jean Nadle. “We need to put the health and economic stability of our 40,000 residents in front of their 877 homes.”
Attorney Audrey Blondin, a city business owner, noted that the project could affect both Torrington and Litchfield, which also connects to the city system.
“Minimal risk, is not, as I said, no risk. And it’s just an unacceptable risk,” said Blondin. “To think that there’s going to be a pipe that’s not going to crack or leak at some point is just absurd.”
She suggested that the project be brought to referendum, prompting a round of applause and cheers from the audience.
“Those of us that care about Torrington, that have invested decades of our lives in Torrington, should have an opportunity to have our voices heard. This is for all the people — not just a few people,” said Blondin. “It’s up to all of us to decide whether or not we want to be the dumping ground for Goshen’s sewage.”
George Craig, noting his decades of experience in the plumbing industry, said human error, a failure in the materials, or a natural disaster such as an earthquake could cause a rupture in the pipeline. Water is a vital resource — there is no life without water, he said — and the pipeline would create liability for the city on into the future.
“Let’s do what’s right for Torrington,” said Craig. “Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink — let’s not be in that situation.”
Marana “Polly” Brooks, a Litchfield resident and Torrington Water Co. stockholder, walked through the past of the TWC and legislation pertaining to water in the recent past, and asked council members to consider history in their decision.
“It is not your job to do future Woodridge Lake homeowners due diligence, nor is your job to relieve past purchasers of their accountability. It is your job to ensure the safety of the greatest asset you’ll have in another fifty years time — Torrington’s carefully protected, minuscule percentage of the … worldwide supply of potable water,” said Brooks.
Sean Hayden, a soil scientist and Torrington resident, said the earth in the watershed area is particularly ill-suited to handle a spill. It received a “very limited” rating from the United States Department of Agriculture, he said — the lowest possible.
He said he had worked on a Brookfield project where a sewer main would repeatedly fail, releasing raw effluent onto the surface. It’s not an experience he wants for the city.
“It really rips me apart inside to think about that scenario in our watershed, knowing the conditions and the capabilities and the limitations of the soil and what happens when you have raw sewage break out on the surface of the soil,” said Hayden.
He suggested that the council deny the proposal, allowing the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop a more local solution with Woodridge Lake.
Of the speakers Thursday, Torrington resident Michael Farrell was the closest to being in favor of it.
Farrell said he served on the Water Pollution Control Authority in Avon and noted that making this sort of decision was the charge of such bodies.
Although not sold on the idea, he said he believed the engineers working on behalf of Woodridge Lake had done their due diligence, and suggested that it could be approved under the right conditions.
“We don’t owe the (Woodridge Lake Sewer District) a sense of good neighborliness. I just think it’s appropriate, from an environmental standpoint, I think it’s appropriate that we accept this, because we can handle this, they can pay for it, it makes sense,” said Farrell. “Make the right decision — accept the project, but accept it in a route and a path that is environmentally sound, and respectful to the 39,000 people that love this city, and pay taxes here, and want to stay here, and let their kids stay here.”
The City Council voted Thursday to continue the public hearing until Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m., again in the City Hall auditorium.
Mayor Elinor Carbone said officials from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection would attend that meeting. The Woodridge Lake Sewer District would have the opportunity to rebut comments against the project at the time, as well.
Christopher Smith of Shipman & Goodwin, representing the sewer district, noted Thursday that the negotiation of an intermunicipal agreement — which would be required if the project were to be approved — would be subject to the public hearing process, as well.
The Torrington Water Co. has an emergency response plan to address spills, he said. He suggested that it be shared with the Water Pollution Control Authority.
“We look forward to presenting our rebuttal to the Authority after we hear from the other folks next week, on the 20th,” said Smith.