2009

Posted by Bob on June 25, 2009 under Daily Blogs | 15 Comments to Read

The Naugatuck Sewage Treatment Plant has been the subject of recent stories in the local, regional and state news. Several residents who live along Meadowbrook Place, located less than one mile from the plant, have lodged complaints about air quality and foul smells in their neighborhood.

The Borough of Naugatuck takes such matters very seriously. The Board of Mayor and Burgesses has asked to meet with representatives from plant operator Veolia Water North America, and will do so within the coming weeks. In addition, I had the opportunity to tour the plant with Borough Engineer James Stewart and Second Deputy Mayor Mike Ciacciarella.

One thing that surprised me when touring the facility was what a complex operation was involved in a service most of us take for granted. Flushing a toilet is in only the beginning of a complex process to ensure that waste is properly treated, eliminated and prevented from polluting our air and river. Clearly there is room for improvement, and advances in technology and tighter regulations will result in the same.

Some residents have asked what the Borough can do to force the operator to stop the smell. The simple answer is a lot less than the State Department of Environmental Protection (hereinafter “DEP”) can and has already done. After several complaints, DEP investigated the odor and issued a consent order which included a financial penalty to Veolia and requirements that the operator put forth a plan to remedy said problem within a short period of time. All fines and costs for a remedial plan are paid for by the operator, not the Borough, per agreement.

Approximately ten (10) years ago, the Borough was forced to find an operator for the treatment company after the Uniroyal-backed Naugatuck Treatment Company choose to end its relationship with the Borough. Countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent to negotiate an agreement with US Filter to assume operation of the plant. Veolia is the successor to US Filter.

The complex operating agreement defines the responsibilities of the owner, the Borough of Naugatuck; and Veolia, the operator. While Naugatuck certainly has numerous protections in the Agreement which ensure that the operator perform its duties in a responsible manner consistent with all local, state and/or federal laws and regulations, the document is in fact a binding contract between two parties. The Borough does not have the unilateral right to enforce anything on Veolia. Any attempt to enforce a provision or provisions of the agreement would likely result in lengthy litigation with enormous costs to the Borough.

Waste and waste water treatment is strictly governed by the DEP in Connecticut. Requirements and regulations that were not even discussed ten (10) years ago are now proposed and enacted at a rapid rate. DEP has far more authority to regulate odor, investigate claims and issue binding orders to take corrective action. This is what happened with the current claims by residents from Meadowbrook Place.

The DEP does not require that treatment plants emit no odor. Such odors must rise to the level of nuisance, which in this particular case it was determined that such odors did. While a tremendous amount of technology is utilized to eliminate all odor, the reality of the situation is that it is nearly impossible to completely remove all odors from a treatment plant. Changes in weather, wind patterns and topography near such sites will undoubtedly make some days better than others.

The Borough’s options, if unsatisfied with the current operator, are likely limited to the following:

renegotiate the agreement with the operator;
find a new operator;
sell the entire asset to a private company and (a) send our waste to a different facility and incur the costs to do so; or (b) continue to send the waste to the existing facility under new ownership.

All of these options would result in enormous burdens to taxpayers

Most Naugatuck residents would welcome the opportunity to send our waste products to other communities without incurring any additional cost to taxpayers. The reality is that we have a sewage treatment facility in the Borough which has been in existence for many years. The Borough will do everything in its power to ensure that our plant is operated in the most professional manner consistent with applicable law, but enforcement of violations is primarily entrusted with state agencies such as DEP.

Peg Sheehy said,

Mr mayor,
I would love to have you come here and meet the residents who are very concerned about the stench from the Water treatment plant. I feel you are threatening the taxpayers pocket if there should be expenses to fix this problem! Doesn’t Naugatuck pay Veolia $1.3 million to manage the plant. Why dont you threaten their pockets and not pay the 1.3 million until the problem is fixed? I bet the problem would be solved immediately.
Jennifer Merrill said,

I think that it is important to note that it is not only the residents of Meadowbrook Place that are affected by the odor. Ask any parent, child or adult that utilizes the field at the commuter lot at exit 25 about the odor and they will also let you know how terrible it is. And do not forget the residents of Cherry St Ext who have also been vocal about the odor for years. It is time to stop saying that “it’s better than it used to be” and correct the situation.
Bob said,

Ms. Sheehy and Jen:

I would be glad to meet with both of you and your neighbors. Please feel free to contact our office (203-720-7009) or my cell (203-217-0876) or email me (bmezzo@naugatuck-ct.gov or bob@bobmezzo.com) to schedule a meeting at town hall or in the neighborhood, at your convenience. I live close to Meadowbrook Place and have been at Cotton Hollow Field (and Cross Street school as well) countless times over twenty years from high school football practices to coaching kids.

The Borough Board will hopefully be meeting with Veolia within the coming month. I have already met with them twice at the plant. We take the issue very seriously.

We would be happy to review the agreement between Naugatuck and Veolia with you and your neighbors. It is not as simple as withholding payments to the operator.
The Borough has a contractual relationship with the operator that is governed by the rule of law.

Please clarify your statement that we are “threatening the taxpayers pocket if there should be expenses to fix the problem”. I realize there is a level of frustration experienced over many years and your statements reflect the same, but your suggestion that Naugatuck withhold payments will definitely not solve the problem immediately. Taking such action without proper forethought would not only cost taxpayers money, but will do nothing to solve the odor problem.

We look forward to meeting with you to discuss this matter in greater detail.
Jennifer Merrill said,

Bob,
Please understand that although we share the same vision, the knowledge of the steps are not the same. As a Finance Board member I know that it is a complex situation. However it has been a complaint for several years. Again, it is not a neighborhood issue, but a town issue. There have been complaints for years from different neighborhoods. Do not single out one from another as that can be seen as discrimination. Cherry St Ext has had many complaints as well. Be brave or be proactive and join us on July 18th for Anna’s graduation/going away party. I am hoping that the smell is at a minimum and we can have a pleasant party.
Jennifer
Bob said,

Hi Jen:

We all realize that this is an issue facing our entire community. The references to your neighborhood have been made primarily by residents from your neighborhood, not the Borough. We are being proactive and looking for solutions.

We could easily be “political”, raise the level of rhetoric and promise that the problem will be solved “or else”. That is not leadership and will not resolve the situation to anyone’s satisfaction.

I again extend to you and others the opportunity to meet. We can do so in your neighborhood, at town hall, or at the treatment company. I have toured the treatment company twice, and suggest those interested in the issue do the same. If you can help organize those in other neighborhoods who are burdened by the smell, it would be greatly appreciated.

As much as I enjoy a party and sincerely appreciate the invitation, I would rather not discuss business at a graduation party. Congratulations to Anna and best wishes to all for an “odor-free” celebration.

Please let me know when you are available to meet and what location you would prefer.

Thanks again for our comments.

Bob
Jennifer Merrill said,

Bob,

I am happy to help organize other neighborhoods that are affected. Together the town will be made better.

I did not intend for you to discuss business at the party, just to attend and be as hopeful as we will be that the odor is not present. Rain can be planned for but the smell cannot be.

Thanks,
Jennnifer
Peg Sheehy said,

Hi Bob
Thank you for you comments and I would love to meet down the water treatment plant with all the Residents Against Waste Smell(RAWS) the name of our community group to try and understand why the smell. There have been statements made that when the trucks make deliveries it emits foul odors. Well I have received complaints this weekend on Friday 6/26 6:20 pm,Saturday 6/27 3 complaints from 6pm to 9pm and Sunday 6/28 @9:30 a.m. I doubt if trucks were delivered at those times but I could be wrong!! These complaints werent just from Meadowbrook Pl although the stench was horrendous this weekend, which it always seems to happen when you cannot call DEP or treatment plant to come out and smell this stench at the time!!
To clarify threatening taxpayers in your blog 6/24 you state”all options will result in enormous burdens to taxpayers.” What does the 1.3 million dollars go to if it is not to manage and fix any problems of the water treatment plant?

Thanks Peg
Bob said,

Peg and Jen:

I will contact the operator and see if we can arrange a tour. Please send me your preferred email address to mine (bob@bobmezzo.com) at your convenience.

Thanks.

Bob
Kev said,

Gave several reguests to the previous Mayor about myconcerns of the horrible odors from the plant and what he is going to do n the matter to his e mail office address. NOTHING WRITTEN BACK EVER!
Can you imagine sitting in an outside cafe in the Renaissance Place Project, dry heaving to that discusting smell of crap!
FIX the problem mayor or cancel the Renaissance Place Project!!!! Fine foods and poop odors never area great night life combination.
Mary T said,

The directional sign for Renaissance Place on Rt. 8 should read…

Entering Naugatuck Renaissance Place Project
(HOLD YOUR BREATH & NOSE)
Bob said,

Hi Kev and Mary T:

Thanks for your comments. My email addresses are bmezzo@naugatuck-ct.gov and bob@bobmezzo.com. I make every attempt to answer all emails, and have done so on this topic. As you already know, you have access to my blog as well.

There is no simple solution to “fix” the problem. Since taking office we have had many conversations both internally and with the operator to address this issue. The DEP,which has far greater enforcement power than the Borough, has already issued a fine and order to report on remedies. I just received a copy of a response from a consulting firm qualified to do the work.

I am not a scientist and am eager to learn what can be done to reduce the odor. What I can not change is the fact that we have a sewage treatment plant in our community. It would be fantastic if the plant was in another community, but we have no control over the fact that it is here. As I continue to learn about the science behind the issue, some individuals with knowledge in the field have indicated that there is no way to completely eliminate odor at such facilities. Hopefully such opinions are incorrect and the operator can significantly reduce the smell. We are trying to “fix” the problem, but must act intelligently, obtain accurate information and proceed in accordance with current laws and regulations.

The plant’s very presence, however, should not be a reason to penalize an entire community for past mistakes by foregoing plans for our future. The treatment company has never been raised as an issue with the developer of Renaissance Place, who has succeeded with several major projects throughout the United States. Even during the housing market crash, residents from Fairfield County, Western Connecticut and even New York still search for a good home in Naugatuck at a price they could never match in such markets.

There is a much larger treatment facility located in Greater Boston, and few would argue that people are avoiding the Hub because of it.

I realize you are asking for assistance to end the odor. That is a very valid request and requires action. If you are insinuating that because we live in a town with a sewage treatment facility that we should simply resign ourselves to the fact of being a second class community, I can not accept that logic. Making statements to the effect that Naugatuck does not deserve a project like Renaissance Place is certainly your right, but I strongly disagree.
Denise said,

Peggy,

If possible, I would like information about your group “Residents Against Waste Smell(RAWS)”. I have set up a temporary email account – please contact me at dee1mailbox-community@yahoo.com.

Thank you,
Denise
Cherry St. Ext. Resident
Bob said,

Hi Peg:

I do not know if you are still following this thread, but please contact Denise if you still are.

Veolia is scheduled to do an update to the Joint Boards on Tuesday, July 24, 2009, at 7:30 PM. Please spread the word to RAWS.

Thanks Denise for your comments and concerns.
Peg Sheehy said,

Thanks Bob i will pass it on to RAWS. Will it be in the town hall?
Peg Sheehy said,

I believe this is where I got the date for Joint Boards meeting on July 24,2009. Obviously the RAWS group was not represented. Sorry