The Town Board will hold off on proposed septic upgrade revisions to hear from organizers of a new initiative to push Shelter Islanders to adopt Innovative/Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, know as I/A systems.
Shelter Islanders for Clean Water, a new group formed by The Nature Conservancy, the Shelter Island Association, Defend H2O, Peconic Baykeeper and Group for the East End, is undertaking a door-to-door campaign for clean water.
Canvassers are sharing information (already available from the Town, County and State) about the rationale for replacing traditional septic systems with I/A systems, which are more effective at scrubbing nitrogen from septic effluent, reducing the level of nitrates that percolate back into drinking water or seep into surrounding bays.
In recent meetings, Town Board has been reviewing proposed changes to Town Code governing septic upgrades. Councilman Albert Dickson, who plans to retire at the end of the year, has urged strong action to force septic systems upgrades. He most recently proposed that all applicants seeking building permits for renovations or additions should upgrade their septic systems.
The other three Town Board members agree much needs to be done, but at Tuesday’s work session pushed back on mandating new systems for all building permit applicants, particularly if they wouldn’t qualify for I/A system grant funds.
“If somebody has a building permit for a $6,000 renovation of their basement are we going to ask them to put in a $33,000 I/A system?” asked Deputy Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams. “It didn’t seem like it was equitable.”
Supervisor Gerry Siller said he’s also reluctant to use renovations to trigger system upgrades. Councilman Jim Colligan agreed, but would support requiring I/A systems for work that expands habitable space. However, with one firm handling the majority of installations on the Island, Colligan pointed out, it isn’t likely that more than about 60 systems per year could be installed.
“Why have mandates that are going to have 300 people on a waiting list when you can’t get them into the ground fast enough,” he said.
Instead, he suggested a “sliding scale” of initiatives to encourage people to install I/A systems with grant funds to offset costs.
Siller said representatives from Shelter Islanders for Clean Water will attend next Tuesday’s work session to make a presentation to the Town Board. And, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, whose district includes Shelter Island, will bring community leaders together with county health officials to talk about the future of grant funding for I/A systems.
