The Norwich Planning Commission is recommending to the Selectboard that the Town fund a study to examine sewer options for the Town. The resolution passed at the Commission’s meeting last week. The vote was unanimous, with one abstention according to the draft meeting minutes. At the time of this post, the video of the meeting is not yet available on the Town’s YouTube channel.
Town efforts to connect with the Hartford sewer system may be at cross-purposes with the School District efforts to solve the septic problems at Marion Cross School. See the discussion below.
Resolution
The resolution reads in part as follows.
The Planning Commission recommends that the town of Norwich procure a wastewater study on an expedited basis to assess the need and demand for, and technical feasibility and potential cost of, a wastewater solution for the village center area and along potential routes to connect to either the Hanover or Hartford sewer systems. The study should also look at alternative wastewater solutions, engage Norwich residents to gauge their view and concerns, and identify potential solutions to meet the needs identified, including the needs of the school as well as the needs of other landowners in Norwich. The study will also provide valuable input for the review of the town’s land use regulations called for by the Norwich town plan
The draft meeting minutes indicate a study would cost approximately $30,000. Planning Director Rod Francis also discussed one grant program to pay the cost. The State covers 50 percent of the cost and finances the Town’s share over five years.
It is not clear how long the grant approval process takes, if an expedited study is desired. I also don’t know whether the Town included any of this expense in its budget. The expense of the study is not in the Town Manager’s proposed capital plan.
Cross-purposes with Marion Cross School?
The Planning Commission recommendation includes studying a connection with Hartford that would serve homes and businesses in the Village and Route 5 South. That makes sense. However, it may undermine the School District’s effort to solve the MCS septic problem.
One option for solving the Marion Cross School septic problem is for the school to connect with the Hartford sewer system. To reduce taxpayer cost, the School District is partnering with three businesses on Route 5 South. These are the Co-op Service Center, King Arthur Baking and Norwich Commerce Park (Fogg’s).
The Town of Hartford is cautious about adding users to its sewer from adjacent municipalities. To alleviate that concern, the School District is limiting its proposal to the four users. At least that’s my impression.
But, the Planning Commission wants to broaden the user base. Or, at least, study that possibility. What happens if the Town engages Hartford on that option? I suppose one possible result is that Hartford pulls up the drawbridge on any connection with Norwich users. That would leave MCS and the three businesses outside.
Norwich Planning Director Francis is against the Norwich School District’s proposal. He says that proposal is unfair to the other properties on Route 5 and inconsistent with the Town Plan. See Planning Commission packet for March 4, 2021 at 18-21.
That view could be a problem for the School District. It needs the Town on board to apply for grants and to agree with Hartford, though the School District would be the financially responsible party. The Planning Commission has not yet discussed the merits of the Planning Director’s recommendation.
Per the OML, don’t the minutes have to reflect how the members voted, if not a unanimous vote? Therefore, who abstained should be recorded.
According to the 1 V.S.A. § 312, minutes are to include:
“the results of any votes, with a record of the individual vote of each member if a roll call is taken.”
I hope that Hartford will shut the door completely and kill this sewer business once and for all. People need to understand that having a sewer will unleash development, zoning or no.