The PC engaged engineers from Stone Environmental last August to explore
wastewater options for Waitsfield village, with a special emphasis on
the
potential for a series of smaller, decentralized systems.
Voters previously rejected the idea of one large single-pipe municipal
wastewater system three years ago in conjunction with the approval of
the municipal water project, currently underway.
PC members moved forward exploring alternatives to a large single-pipe
sewer-type system last fall which included a survey of property owners.
The effort was initiated by the Waitsfield Select Board after the
centralized system was voted down in 2008.
The study is funded by a municipal planning grant and was overseen by a volunteer subcommittee of the Waitsfield PC.
PC chair Drew Simmons said that of the 140 properties included in the
community survey, there was a 40 percent response rate. The survey was
not required by the RFP.
"What's interesting about what's summarized in the report, and what is
striking to me, is there is a huge variety of expressed need in this
community. Even though there isn't a huge agreement on what to do in the
community, less than 10 percent want to do nothing," he said.
According to the final "assessment of decentralized wastewater options"
report, the Waitsfield/Irasville study area includes 139 properties
totaling approximately 255 acres within the village, 21 properties
contain single-family homes or multi-unit condominiums.
The study includes detailed maps of historical Waitsfield village that
highlight capacity and need and incorporates the survey of landowners:
"Engineering, treatment technology, management and funding approaches
can all be developed to address wastewater needs and the challenges of
soil conditions and remaining wellhead protection areas. The Town of
Waitsfield now has the opportunity to consider re-purposing previously
granted wastewater infrastructure funding to address these expressed
needs and physical constraints."
Simmons said that the RFP established what the need, capacity and
challenges are. The recommendations will then be considered in an effort
to "provide a strategic wastewater system that enables a case by case
management structure; there is a broad range of wastewater management
systems, different levels with different benefits, the next step is
examination."
Amy Macrellis from Stone Environmental emphasized the need for the
process to be on a volunteer basis. "It's very important to be a
volunteering process. The existing infrastructure is almost entirely
privately owned; to approach it any other way is not the kind of project
you want," she said.
According to the recommendations of the wastewater study, town officials
will review and decide on how to move forward, develop and implement
public involvement to start building understanding of a support for a
management and low-interest loan program, as well as continue working
with consultants on technical work.
To view the final study completed by Stone Environmental, visit the PC's blog, www.planwithus.blogspot.com.
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