Town of Otsego Planning Board
Minutes - April 24, 2007
SPECIAL MEETING
Chairman Paul Lord called a special meeting of the Town of Otsego Planning Board to order at 7:31 PM. Members present were Lord, Donna Borgstrom (Vice-Chairman), John Stucin, John Phillips, Joe Galati, John Phillips, and Doug Greene. Wes Ciampo was absent. Also present were Zoning Enforcement Officer Mike Miller and Planning Board Clerk Bill Deane. Lord noted that the topic of this meeting was phosphorous removal in septic systems along Otsego Lake. He said that Watershed Supervisory Committee Manager Win McIntyre was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but would come to the May 1 Planning Board meeting to discuss this topic.
Chairman Lord introduced Matt Albright of the Biological Field Station. Albright distributed a handout about phosphorous inputs to Otsego Lake, and phosphorous removal technologies. He also distributed copies of two reports: "Evaluating Phosphorous Migration from Septic Systems near Otsego Lake," by Joyce E. Green, and "Phosphorous Migration from a Near-Lake Septic System in the Otsego Lake Watershed, Summer 2003," by Holly Meehan. Albright described the process in which phosphorous from agricultural fertilizer and manure, and residential septic systems, gradually saturates the soil and migrates into the Lake, making it hazardous for plant and animal life there by reducing the oxygen levels. He said that phosphorous removal techniques for septic systems have proven 90% effective and, by lasting from 20-40 years, cost-effective. He estimated that septic systems account for only about 5% of the phosphorous runoff into the Lake, but said that number was misleadingly low.
Chairman Lord noted that all four municipalities surrounding the Lake, including the Town of Otsego, had adopted the Lake Management Plan mentioned by Albright. Doug Greene asked about other issues identified in that plan, and Lord said he would get copies to the members.
John Phillips asked about other possible sources of phosphorous pollution of the Lake, including the golf courses, town parks, and State Park. He said he thought a law requiring residents to purchase removal systems would have minimal effect on the phosphorous content of the Lake. Joe Galati echoed his sentiments.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Miller wondered about the various streams feeding into Otsego Lake, and whether any consideration was being given to reducing phosphorous infiltration there.
Chairman Lord introduced Doug VanDeusen and Jon McManus of Lamont Engineers. They displayed posters on easels, showing various systems (peat, bio-filter, textile filter, peat/fabric bio-filter, drip irrigation) which could incorporate phosphorous removal systems. They distributed a handout itemizing sources of nutrients to Otsego Lake, and types of systems available (in-line, in-trench, and chemical additives), along with costs. Another handout described one of the in-line systems, the Knight Nutrient Removal Device (KNuRD). VanDeusen noted that phosphorous removal plans have been adopted around several New York lakes, but most are not required by local law; rather, residents take the initiative to use updated, environmentally-friendly systems. McManus said that such new septic systems typically cost between $20,000 and $30,000, with about $5,000 of that due to phosphorous removal processes.
Chairman Lord noted that year-round residences around New York lakes have been increasing at the rate of 7% per year.
Chairman Lord and Joe Galati said that the Department of Transportation was no longer allowing residents to use their rights-of-way to the Lake. This will impact the space available for septic systems.
John Phillips noted that, in his experience as a building contractor, he has often observed state-of-the-art systems which proved obsolete within a few years, and for which one could not get parts for repair.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Miller noted that there has been discussion about formation of "sewer districts," to share costs of septic systems among lakeside camp owners.
At 9:22 John Stucin moved to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Deane
Planning Board Clerk