Old Lyme — The town is asking for more time to finish one of the steps required under a state order to complete a wastewater management plan.

First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting that she has sent a letter to the commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection requesting an extension to submit an evaluation of the plan's environmental impacts.

The town received an administrative order from DEEP dated June 16 to finish a wastewater management plan for the town's shoreline neighborhoods of Hawk's Nest, Miami Beach Association, Sound View, Old Colony Beach Association, Old Lyme Shores Beach Association and an ancillary area along the shoreline.

The DEEP order said the town must retain a consulting firm within 30 days and then complete an environmental impact evaluation within 60 days. The evaluation is to be published for public viewing under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act.

The town must submit an updated wastewater management plan to the state, 90 days after the environmental impact evaluation is published.

Reemsnyder told the selectmen Monday it was clear that the town was not going to be able to complete the evaluation within the 60-day window, because of some of the issues the town is facing.

The selectmen, Board of Finance and Water Pollution Control Authority have been discussing next steps, following the townspeople's rejection in May of an appropriation for costs associated with the wastewater management study. The appropriation would have covered expenses already incurred for the study, as well as some future costs to complete the study.

Reemsnyder said Monday that she has met with Woodard and Curran, the town's consulting firm for the wastewater plan, and anticipates being able to move forward shortly.

Reemsnyder also noted that she met with the attorney hired by the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen to review the WPCA's activities.

"I think in the end it's going to end up with some terrific recommendations that will be helpful to all of us," she said.

She also said she has had an initial meeting with the project manager from Woodard and Curran regarding a suggestion raised by a WPCA member.

WPCA member Dmitri Tolchinski had told the selectmen that when Old Colony Beach Club Association completed its own wastewater study, its consulting firm had not charged for the work associated with responding to comments from DEEP.

Reemsnyder said Monday that while there were some differences in opinion, she said an initial discussion with the project manager indicates that he is agreeable to the town's suggestion of not charging for some of the additional work, including the environmental impact evaluation. 

Reemsnyder said she will update the selectmen once she has a more definitive understanding in writing from Woodard and Curran.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich