On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Wilton’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) unanimously approved three applications for sewer capacity for residential development projects.
The three proposed projects — 20 Old Ridgefield Rd., 254 Danbury Rd., and 255 Danbury Rd. — still have a long way to go before getting final approvals from the Planning and Zoning Commission and other Wilton land use boards. But if they do come to fruition, the projects would theoretically push Wilton’s total sewer flow levels very near the contractual limit under the Town’s agreement with Norwalk, which receives Wilton’s sewer flows for treatment.
About The Applications
20 Old Ridgefield Rd.: The applicant, M&M Construction, envisions five three-bedroom townhouses to replace a former medical office (currently M&M Construction offices) on the narrow, triangular site near the intersection of Ridgefield Rd.
254 Danbury Rd.: Wilton owner and architect William Earls aims to preserve the architecture of the former Wilton Baptist church while reimagining the property with a total of 10 residential units ranging from three to five bedrooms each. (The proposal received generally positive reviews in multiple pre-application discussions with P&Z and the Architectural Review Board. Earls has now submitted an actual application to P&Z.)
255 Danbury Rd.: TBS Partners LLC is proposing to develop 12 three-bedroom townhouses on the site which now includes three parcels (previously 251-257-259 Danbury Rd.), each of which had structures with sewer connections prior to the widening of Rte. 7.
By The Numbers
Department of Public Works Director/Town Engineer Frank Smeriglio highlighted the key points and unique features of each new application, all under the backdrop of his customary monthly update on the town-wide sewer flows.
The latest flow numbers are a critical factor in the WPCA’s decision to approve any new sewer allocations, given Wilton’s dwindling capacity in recent years. The tight environment is evident in what has essentially become standard language in Smeriglio’s communications with sewer applicants:
“The WPCA is continuously evaluating all flows from proposed development projects to determine if proposed flows at the Town line will remain below what’s allowed in the Interlocal Agreement between Norwalk and Wilton.”
Smeriglio reported flow levels were essentially unchanged from last month. The total estimated flow — including actual flows at the Town line as well as the anticipated flows from approved projects, those under construction, and other critical reserves — is roughly 638,000 gallons per day.
Factoring in the three latest applications, the total flow would increase slightly to 643,000 gallons — nearly reaching the Town’s contractual limit of 650,000 gallons.
“That would leave us with barely 7,000 gallons left until we reach max capacity,” observed First Selectman and WPCA Chair Toni Boucher. “That’s not a lot.”
As they deliberated on whether to approve any or all of the applications, WPCA members expressed some trepidation about inching that close to the flow limit. Selectwoman Kim Healy, for example, raised questions about whether an applicant had explored a septic system to reduce the burden on sewer.
Though the WPCA members acknowledged that none of the three applications were in areas deemed to be the highest priority by the WPCA — which would be for the expansion of existing business as the top priority, followed by development in Wilton’s transit-oriented district — they agreed they could not deny the applications without any higher-priority applications on the table.
Prior to the WPCA’s vote, Smeriglio offered his recommendation that the WPCA approve what are in his view “nice developments” with low incremental impact on the town-wide sewer flows.
Even though land use and design matters do not fall under WPCA purview, several WPCA members, including Boucher, made comments about the appeal of the townhouse-style developments being proposed. Boucher offered a reminder the WPCA should not make decisions based on zoning or architectural preferences.
“We can’t opine on [their] character or design. We’re only concerned in this committee for how much [sewer] capacity we have, and make sure we don’t surpass [the limit],” Boucher said.
Ultimately, the WPCA members seemed comfortable with the flow levels, in part for reasons articulated by Selectman Ross Tartell — that the flow level calculations are to a large degree theoretical.
“I’m actually quite comfortable,” Tartell said after deliberations. “There’s so much [approved] that hasn’t been built, and some of it may never be built, and some of it that is just being proposed now will not come online for years. If we don’t get capacity in five or six years from Norwalk, we’ve got other issues.
The board voted 5-0 to approve all three applications. (Note: Selectman Rich McCarty, also a WPCA member, was not in attendance.)
Wilton resident Barbara Geddis requested to speak at the conclusion of the meeting, with praise for the “very wise” steps taken by the WPCA members. She viewed the expected flow levels from the three latest applications as relatively low, especially considering properties like 300 Danbury Rd. (the former Crossways shopping center at the corner of Danbury Rd. and Ridgefield Rd.) which was approved for redevelopment and thus “counted” in theoretical sewer flows, even though it was never built. She also noted that properties like 345 Belden Hill Rd. (the former School Sisters of Notre Dame property, where a new senior-living community is currently in the pre-application phase) has a significantly larger allocation but is less “Wilton-centric” than the three new applications.
Looking Ahead
A recurring theme of the meeting was the increasingly constrained position the WPCA is in while it awaits a response from Norwalk to Wilton’s requests to engage in discussions about raising the flow limit.
Smeriglio said he has dutifully fulfilled the Town’s obligation to inform Norwalk of new allocations since Wilton surpassed 90% of the flow limit — but has not gotten any responses.
Boucher echoed the frustration but maintains hope for a favorable resolution.
“We’re very hopeful that we might be able increase that [limit] and allow for this process to go more smoothly and without as much concern about reaching our limit,” she said. “We’re hopeful that they [Norwalk] will be able to respond soon.”
Until then, Boucher said the WPCA will have to continue its balancing act.
“We are truly at the max,” Boucher said. “We will have to then make sure that new applicants know that in advance, so that they understand the situation that they’re coming into.”
If the town of Norwalk has not responded to our First Selectman’s or our Director of Public Works’ request to discuss flow capacity, why isn’t our First Selectman contacting the Governor’s office for his help? The State of CT is pushing for more housing, and we as a community are trying to make this happen. If Norwalk isn’t responding, maybe he can assist to keep progress moving.