07/05/2006 PLANNING BOARD Minutes

Home Browse Search

The Chairman recognized John Connor, chairman of the Trustees, who spoke to the (financial) benefits to- the unit owners and the Town of relocating the leaching field away from the Zone II w ll. The Town Planner- explained the modification t.o the Special Permit; relocation discussion must be scheduled for a Public Hearing at. a future date. He suggested limiti.n this discussion to the operations and proposed upgrade of the plant . The Chairman asked for clarification of total nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. The Town Planner explained that nitrate is one form of nitrogen, the concern is for total nitrogen getting into the groundwater. He clarified the Special Permit i-n this matter reacts "nitrate nitrogen" not "total nitrogen". The chairman recognized Peter Lewis, Kohler and Kohler Engineering, operators of the wastewater treatment plant. He stated that the 5ppm (nitrate) restriction has just come to his attention, and that this is a sig.nific nt distinction between total nitrogen. He did make an attempt to explain the differences between total nitrogen, nitrate, and nitrite. Mr. Lewis spoke to the performance of the existing plant and proposed capital improvements to increase the performance and reduce nitrogen: improve the blowers, enhance the computer control system, and improving the performance of the pumps which would allow more treatment time in th-e cycle. The chairman then recognized Attorney John Schaeffer, who spoke to the DEP requirement of loppm and the Planning Board Special Permit condition requiring 5ppm. He stated the position that the Special Permit was granted in 1988 to the original developer. Attorney Schaeffer specified it was the original developer who obtained the Special Permit, built the condominiums, designed and constructed the wastewater treatment plant, and obtained all necessary permits. Thereafter, the unit owners bought into this situation. 12