Key Points:
- Kimco’s engineer is pressing for a December decision while an independent engineering review remains pending.
- Anticipated ASML growth and rising sewer flow complicate allocation decisions as projected demand exceeds Wilton’s contractual limit.
- WPCA approved the next phase of sewer repairs intended to reduce rainwater and groundwater entering the system.
Why It Matters: Wilton’s available sewer capacity could affect development and business expansion, putting greater importance on allocation decisions, repairs and negotiations with Norwalk.
Time is running out for Wilton’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to act on Kimco Realty’s sewer capacity request for the Phase II redevelopment of Wilton Campus before year’s end, as the town awaits a crucial third-party review of Kimco’s engineering plans.
The pending review comes as WPCA weighs anticipated growth at ASML, as projected capacity demand would push Wilton’s actual sewer flow past the town’s 650,000 gallon-per-day contractual limit with Norwalk.
In other business at its Thursday, Nov. 12 meeting, the WPCA voted unanimously to award the contract for the second phase of its Sewer Rehabilitation Project to National Water Main Cleaning Company, which performed the work for the project’s first phase.
Wilton Campus: Clock Ticking on Third-Party Review
Craig Flaherty of engineering consulting firm Redniss & Mead urged the Department of Public Works (DPW) to press third-party reviewer Wright-Pierce to submit its long-awaited review of Redniss & Mead’s engineering proposal for Kimco’s mixed-use development at 15-21 River Rd.
Flaherty said his team needs time to address any concerns before the end of the year.
“We have a clock ticking,” he said, referring to WPCA’s decision deadline. Kimco has already granted one extension through the WPCA’s next meeting on Dec. 9.
“Theoretically, we have the ability to provide more extension days, but they wouldn’t get you to your normally scheduled January meeting anyway,” Flaherty said. “So we’re really eager to complete this at your next meeting [on Dec. 9]. And getting these final review comments are critical for us to be able to do that.”
“We’re getting a little anxious with the clock ticking away,” Flaherty said.
Interim Town Engineer Steve Santacroce said that he expected to receive Wright-Pierce’s review letter next week.
Santacroce questioned Redniss & Mead’s plan to have drains on the bottom floor of the proposed parking garage empty into the sanitary sewer system. Flaherty responded that because the bottom floor would be completely enclosed, no stormwater would be entering those drains directly.
The only water that would potentially enter the drains, Flaherty said, would come from wet cars — assuming it didn’t evaporate before reaching the drains — or from occasional power-washing of the walls and floor. Flaherty agreed to provide Santacroce with supporting data.
Sewer Capacity Limit Prompts Discussion of Priorities, Negotiations
In addition to the looming deadline for the Wilton Campus decision, WPCA is also facing other constraints as well.
One is an anticipated request for increased sewer capacity from ASML. During the Nov. 12 meeting, Santacroce discussed a brief email he received from Joe Canas, principal engineer with Tighe & Bond, stating that projected additional flow from future growth at ASML would be about 19,000 gallons per day.
ASML recently announced its intention to expand production capacity at its Wilton facility to meet surging demand for AI processing power.
Another concern is an unexpected increase in the 12-month average daily sewer flow to Norwalk, from 484,000 gallons per day to 527,000, Santacroce noted.
Even after removing an 8,500-gallon-per-day allocation for 24 Cannon Rd. town-wide sewer demand is now projected to reach 661,290 gallons per day. Counsel Pete Gelderman said the decision to remove the 24 Cannon Rd. allocation resulted from the court-ordered resolution for Baywing LLC‘s proposed 70-unit apartment building at 19 Cannon Rd. in Cannondale.
First Selectman Toni Boucher said Norwalk had indicated it was “interested in getting together” to discuss increasing Wilton’s sewer allocation, but had not yet responded to requests to schedule a meeting.
“It seems reminiscent of the past, but we’re hopeful because, again, the initial response seemed to be that they were willing to get together,” Boucher said. “We’ll keep you updated as soon as we get some more information on it.”
Flaherty interjected to argue that if WPCA considered sewer allocation applications in the order they were received, Kimco’s project would not push the Town over its allocation limit. The other projects not yet approved, he said, were all in the pre-application stage, with ASML’s request “speculative” at this point.
“I will point out that on the working sheet as of right now, ASML has 86,000 gallons of future flow,” Flaherty said. “But I also think … there’s a sense of fairness to the process and the applications before you that probably supersede your regulations. These projects have to be real, not theoretical, not speculative, not conceptual for your consideration.”
Boucher responded by noting ASML’s stated intention to expand production capacity, pointing out that “their largest installation in America is in little Wilton here.”
Urging Boucher to “take your Water Pollution Control Authority hat off and … put your selectman hat on,” Flaherty suggested that, given ASML’s importance to the state’s economic growth as well Wilton’s, Boucher “could go to Hartford and talk to the governor about the impasse you have with Norwalk and how it is potentially negatively impacting your ability to foster the growth of this important company.”
“Craig, very well taken point and of course that’s top of mind, and this is why we’re working aggressively to make sure that Norwalk understands that as well and we are continue to pursue it, if not daily, it’s certainly every week to arrange for a meeting,” Boucher responded.
WPCA Approves Contract for Next Phase of Inflow and Infiltration Project
Santacroce said the Town received two bids for phase two of the Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The lower bid came from National Water Main Cleaning Company, the same company that was awarded the contract for the first phase.
The project is a comprehensive effort to reduce “inflow and infiltration” (I&I) of rainwater and groundwater entering into Wilton’s sewer system and adding to the volume sent for treatment.
When complete, the project is expected to reduce that unwanted flow by approximately 172,000 gallons per day. Altogether, the project involves relining 3,400 feet of sewer pipe, sealing 400 pipe joints and repairing scores of manholes, among other maintenance and improvement activities.
After discussing availability of funds with Chief Financial Officer Dawn Savo, WPCA members voted unanimously to approve National Water Main Cleaning Company’s bid. They also approved an amendment to the Town’s contract with Wright-Pierce for project administrative services.
