Sewer construction — and who should pay for it — was at the center of Tuesday’s Water and Pollution Control Authority meeting, where Chairman Steve Cinami sharply criticized the Board of Selectmen for failing to call a referendum at last week’s meeting. “I think that it is irresponsible for the Board of Selectmen not to move this forward to a referendum to allow citizens to vote,” Cinami said. “What they’re looking for is some magical accountant to determine what all the other costs would be. And I don’t know of any person who can predict into the future what ifs.” He warned that the likely outcome would be the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection approving sewer construction for the three beach associations and receiving 50% in grants and forgivable loans to help cover the costs. Meanwhile, the town portion — Sound View and Area B — would be required to install sewers later, but at a higher cost because that state aid would no longer be available. That estimate assumes that half of the cost would be paid by DEEP through the Clean Water Fund and that both the town and the three beach associations would participate in the project. If any of the parties opt out, the cost of the infrastructure portion of the project would increase for the remaining homeowners.
Old Lyme WPCA Chair Criticizes Selectmen for Delaying Sewer Referendum
