An opinion on West Cornwall’s septic problem

I have spoken with quite a few property owners in the town of Cornwall who do not agree that the entire town should pay for the septic solution of West Cornwall’s private property owners. That said, I was willing to listen and hoped more would. I went to the West Cornwall septic meeting held Friday night, June 28. The majority of people there appeared to be from West Cornwall. I was disheartened not seeing many of the people I had spoken to.

Only a few people spoke against the system. One person stated that they had paid over $50,000 dollars to maintain and then finally replace their system and the town offered no assistance with the costs. Another stated that, contrary to West Cornwall’s argument, installing a treatment system would not “save Cornwall.”

I went with the pre-thought of not being willing to pay for another private property owner’s septic. But I also went to listen. And what I heard almost swayed me.

Those speaking for the system gave these (weak, I believe) arguments:

They argued that the sewer system for West Cornwall should be the responsibility of all because it would be part of Cornwall’s infrastructure. They were comparing the private septic of a few residents with our roads and our school. That was farfetched and certainly did not sway me.

They also argued that the private treatment system of a few private properties would save all of Cornwall, bringing families and jobs to our town. I had a hard time wrapping my head around that theory, and was again not swayed. The reality of our demographic loss is another story and encompasses all of northwest Connecticut.

Then someone spoke about the river. And they said that the overflow from these private septic systems was contaminating the river. That got my attention. Then I felt some concern. And I wondered what would happen if the town voted this down? And I began to feel panic and concern for our river. So I asked the question: Is there a plan B? 

The answer I heard sickened me: If the town does not vote to pay for the West Cornwall property owners’ aging systems (not failing —  I can tell you based on a phone call to the Torrington Health Department that they have not stepped in and told West Cornwall that they need to replace their systems), then it will not get done. All I could think was, “How irresponsible can these property owners be?” If someone doesn’t pay for their septic problems, which they are saying are polluting the river, then they’re simply not going to do anything? I couldn’t believe what I heard. You can’t help yourselves? Then how can you expect the rest of the town to help you? At that point I was turned off again and still plan to vote no.

If you go on the town website, you will read a summary of what the septic committee’s past three years of work have produced. 

Below are the numbers.

There are approximately 65 dwellings/businesses in the central village and immediate proximity (although the inventory outlined in the meeting only mentioned a handful).

The approximate cost for the planning, design and construction of the complete wastewater collection and treatment system is $3.8 million.

So let’s do the math: $3,800,000/65 = $58,462.  Factor in to this the claim that 45% can be paid for by grants. This would leave the costs for each property owner at $32,154. Based on what other private property owners have paid for their septic systems, it seems within reason that these private property owners can handle their own costs.

The three years mentioned is how long the committee has been formed to look at the issue and come up with a solution — get someone else to pay for it.  The knowledge of their aging infrastructure has been around many more years than that. What if effort was put into creating an escrow account and depositing into that escrow for the past five years?  How far along would they be on their own?  

That to me seems far more responsible than, “If someone else doesn’t pay for it, then I’m not doing anything.”

 

Martha Lane lives in Cornwall Bridge.  She is a licensed architect and holds a master’s degree in regional planning.  She worked in regional planning for two years, but was too discouraged by the heavy influence of corrupt politics and returned to architecture.

Latest News

Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less