The Old Saybrook Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) announces that surveyors from the engineering firm Fuss & O'Neill will be in Saybrook Acres during working hours from now through Feb. 19 to conduct field surveys on properties within the Wastewater Management District. This effort is a preliminary step in the program to upgrade each property's onsite septic system to Old Saybrook's Upgrade Program Standards. The survey is necessary to properly site and size the septic system upgrades (if required).

The surveyors will announce and identify themselves (with Fuss & O'Neill photo ID badges) when they arrive. They will record locations or measure/identify features such as trees, outbuildings, hedges, etc., place benchmarks at 700-foot intervals, and record the elevation of the tops of

foundations of each house.

Both Town Hall and the Police Department have been notified of the survey.

If homeowners have any questions about the process they should contact the WPCA at 860-395-2876 or admin@oswpca.org or Fuss & O'Neill at 860-646-2469, ext. 5244 or

kmailman@fando.com.

Saybrook Acres residents will receive an invitation to attend an information session for their neighborhood in the next few weeks. The presentation will include:

• Wastewater Management District Septic System Upgrades: What will be required.

• Implementation Plan and Schedule: When it will begin.

• How the bidding, funding, and construction process work.

• Questions and answers.

Wastewater Management District Program

The Old Saybrook WPCA has been working diligently since the passing of the Wastewater Management District (WWMD) Ordinance last August to develop the policies and procedures required to implement and support the program. The first area slated for upgrade, Saybrook Acres, is expected to begin within the next few months. In the meantime, the WPCA has enacted the Emergency Repairs and Benefit Assessment policies in order to address any systems in the WWMD which may be

failing now.

If you live in the WWMD, you can expect the following steps in the implementation process to occur:

• A postcard will be sent announcing a survey of the

properties in your neighborhood

• A postcard invitation to a public education session to discuss the repairs in your neighborhood, the financing, and timeline

• An official notification that you are in the program and must upgrade your system according to information on file

• If your system is upgrade compliant, then you will receive notice to apply for a "Permit to Discharge"

• An onsite evaluation will be done to determine the specifications to design the upgrade

• The homeowner must decide whether or not to upgrade on his or her own (refusing Clean Water Funding of 25 percent and 2 percent financing) or remain in the program and take advantage of the grants/loans

• The property along with 10 to 20 others will be put out to bid and a contract awarded

• The contractor will replace the septic components and submit his or her invoice to the WPCA

• Upon inspection and approval of the new system, the Connecticut River Area Health District will issue a "Permit to Discharge"

• The WPCA will pay the invoice, receive 25 percent back from the Clean Water Funds, and assess the homeowner the remaining amount upon

completion of the project

• The assessment method has yet to be determined; it may be quarterly, semi-annually, or annual payments of a two percent loan or the homeowner can elect to pay it in full

• Another option is the Small Cities Grant (for income-eligible residents), which is an interest-free loan payable upon sale or transfer of the deed. The Small Cities Grant is also available for failing systems and can be applied for regardless of the area of town you live in. To see if you qualify, further information is provided on our website and the town website, as well as Town Hall. Applications are available in the Board of Selectmen's Office.

Please feel free to contact the Old Saybrook WPCA with any questions you may have about the WWMD, Small Cities Grant, the pumpout program or any other initiatives. We can be reached at 860-395-2876 and admin@oswpca.org. We're located in Town Hall and encourage you to visit our website www.oswpca.org for background and updates. Our board meetings are public and held on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Pavilion at

Saybrook Point.