On July 19, the Rocky Ledge Water Main project moved one step closer to being put on the ballot in November when the Board of Selectmen (BOS) voted to send the project to the Board of Finance.

The BOS voted 4-0, with Selectman Carol Walter abstaining, to send the $4.9 million project to the Bonding Committee and Board of Finance (BOF), which will write the resolution that goes to referendum. The BOS and BOF have until Monday, Aug. 21 to approve a resolution to get the question on the ballot in November.

Many of the more than 120 homes in the Rocky Ledge area (Rocky Ledge Drive, Woodland Drive, Margo Lane, Oakwood Lane, Happy Acres Road, and homes on the west side of Route 81 between Happy Acres Road and Rocky Ledge Drive) were found to have high levels of nitrate and coliform bacteria in their well water, most likely due to failing septic systems. Many of the houses in these streets were built before the modern zoning laws were adopted, and thus face issues such as having wells closer to septic tanks than is allowed, a problem compounded by a relatively shallow bedrock layer that gives standard septic systems insufficient depth to function.

Per a consent order signed in 1997 with the Department of Energy & Environment Protection (DEEP), the town is required to address community pollution issues, the town has been studying the area for years to come up with solutions to fix the contamination issues.

After reviewing options to address failing septic systems, the Water Pollution Control Commission determined that the current proposal, which by eliminating wells offers both clean drinking water and opens lots for better septic placement options (septic systems must be 75 feet from wells), solved the problem at approximately half the cost.

While the selectmen were confident they wanted to undertake the project, the town has yet to decide how to pay for it.

At a presentation to the BOF last month, Christie Wager of CDM Smith and Water Pollution Control Commission Chair Matthew Kennedy suggested two options, one in which the town pays 75 percent of the project costs and one in which the town pays for the entire project.

The town is eligible to receive a 20-year Drinking Water Revolving Funds (DWRF) loan at around a two percent interest rate for the project. Additionally, the town applied for a $500,000 grant and the Connecticut Water Company has agreed to pay some of the money as well.

First Selectman Bruce Farmer said that after meeting with the water company he believed the contribution from the company would be “substantial.” Farmer also made clear that any money awarded via grants or from the water company would be used to offset town costs.

“Getting good healthy water to these people is critical,” said Farmer.

In May, voters in Guilford approved a similar project, costing approximately $3.4 million, for 145 homes in an area with wells affected by failing septic systems and seawater incursion. With 83 percent of residents signing formal commitment letters to connect with the main, the Connecticut Water Company will contribute $1.5 million to that project. The remaining cost, approximately $13,161 per home, will be paid by homeowners. The Town of Guilford applied for the DWRF loan, which it will use to allow homeowners to repay the cost over 20 years at a two percent interest rate. Guilford’s project was voluntary, however, while Clinton’s is compelled by the DEEP to find a solution.

At the July 19 meeting, Selectman Willie Fritz argued that the town should pay for the entire project. If the homeowners were to pay for the on-lot cost, their payments would be nearly $700 annually over 20 years, not counting the water bill. Fritz compared making the owners pay for part of the project to “almost taxing them twice.”

“I don’t think we should ask the residents for anything,” said Fritz.

Kennedy said there would be public meetings about the project before the resolution went to ballot.

“We will make sure there’s a decent educational component,” said Kennedy.

More information can be found on the town website, www.clintonct.org, under the government tab at the top of the page. Kennedy said there will also soon be a Facebook page to update residents.