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1. What is the Malletts Bay Sewer Project?

A $16.7 million pollution abatement project approved by Colchester voters in March 2022, to address failing septic systems and human waste bacteria in Malletts Bay. This estimate is based on the project being constructed in the next four years.

2. Where would the wastewater be treated?

The wastewater would be pumped to Severance Corners via Blakely Road and connected into the Town’s existing sewer system, which flows to the City of South Burlington’s Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility where it is treated under an inter-municipal agreement with the City.

3. How will the project be funded?

Approximately 64% or $10.6 million will be funded by grants. The remaining $6.1 million will be funded by a 30-year 2% loan from the State of Vermont. The loan will be repaid only by the 289 properties located within the sewer service area. Properties outside of the sewer service area will pay nothing for this project. No property taxes or local option taxes will be used for this project. 

4. Is my property located in the new sewer service area?

Properties included in the new sewer service area are those properties that have roadway frontage on either side of West Lakeshore Drive from Prim Road to East Lakeshore Drive, all of East Lakeshore Drive, and Goodsell Point. Please click here for a map of the sewer service area.

5. Will properties within the sewer service area be required to connect to the sewer system?

Yes. All of the Town’s current wastewater service areas are governed by ordinances that require all properties to connect to the municipal sewer once constructed. 

6. How much will the initial connection fees be for properties connected to the sewer system?

All current developed properties within the proposed service area will be connected to the system at no charge. The connection, decommissioning of existing septic systems, and the amendments of individual wastewater permits will all be completed as part of the overall project. Once completed, the individual service laterals, including individual pump stations where needed, will be the responsibility of the property owner.

7. What will the annual cost be for a residential property within the proposed sewer service area?

The estimated average annual sewer costs for residential properties is approximately $993 per household which includes operating and debt charges.  

Operating charges pay for the daily operation and maintenance of the sewer system. They are based on individual water usage since this water is ultimately discharged to the sewer system, and represents how much each property uses the sewer system. Water usage information for the properties located within the proposed wastewater service area was obtained from Colchester Fire District’s #2 and #3 for a period of two years.   The readings were then averaged to determine an estimated average annual water consumption for single family residential properties within the sewer service area. 

To calculate an estimate for the operating charges for your property, examine your water bills, determine what your average annual water consumption is in gallons, and then multiply by $0.00794.  Based upon the water use information provided by Colchester Fire District’s #2 and #3, our estimate for average annual operating charges is $289.57 per year. Your cost may vary depending upon individual water consumption habits.

Debt charges pay for the loans taken to help construct the sewer system. They are based on the amount of sewer capacity that is needed for each property. The required capacity for each property is based on the State of Vermont Environmental Protection Rules, Chapter 1, Wastewater System and Water Supply Rules. Chapter 1 of the Vt. EPR’s states; “Single family residential units connected to a wastewater disposal system with a design capacity of at least 50,000 gallons per day may use a design flow of 210 gallons per unit per day, regardless of the number of bedrooms.”  Design flows represent the highest expected flows and are typically higher than actual flows.

To calculate the debt charges for your property, take your capacity of 210 gallons per day and multiply by $3.35 per gallon. Each residential property will receive a debt charge of $703.19. Estimated total annual sewer costs are calculated by adding these two charges together which totals $992.92. 

8. What will the annual cost be for a non-residential property within the proposed service area?

The annual costs for non-residential properties will vary significantly depending upon the type of business, number of employees, and many other factors. Estimated annual costs for each non-residential property can be determined by multiplying the total gallons of annual water consumption by $0.00794, and multiplying the total allocation for the property by $3.35 per gallon. The allocation that is currently assigned to each non-residential property can be seen here. Estimated total annual sewer costs are calculated by adding these two charges together.

9. Many of the properties within the sewer service area are significantly lower than the roadway, how will these properties be connected?

Many of the properties will require individual pump stations to pump the wastewater to the sewer line in the roadway. This will include those properties on West Lakeshore Drive that are lower than the roadway, (generally the lake side of the roadway) and also, all of the properties on East Lakeshore Drive and Goodsell Point where low-pressure sewers will be used. Because these sewer lines are pressurized, individual properties must pump into them regardless of elevation. Low pressure sewers were chosen for these areas as they can be installed at much shallower depths and do not require large pump stations. These factors are important considering traffic impacts during construction, limited working space, and ledge. Once the project is completed, the individual service lateral, including individual pumps will be the responsibility of the property owner. The pumps are a pre-packaged unit that are approximately 4 feet in diameter, and about 7 ½ feet high. They have significant emergency storage in the event of a power outage, and operate quietly and efficiently, without odor. The units will be located outside of the houses and below ground surface. They will have an at grade cover on them and will look similar to a septic tank cover. Addition technical information about these individual pump stations can be viewed here.

10. What is the overall construction schedule for this project?

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024, and be completed in the fall of 2026. Construction in 2024 will include the main sewer line along West Lakeshore Drive, the force main along Blakely Road to pump the sewer to the Town’s existing sewer system at Severance Corners, and the main pumping stations along this corridor.  Construction in 2025 will include the service laterals along West Lakeshore Drive, as well as the main sewer line and all service laterals along East Lakeshore Drive. Construction in 2026 will include the sewer main and service laterals on Goodsell Point.

11. What is the current overall status of the project?

Final design of the project is now at the 60% level. Current efforts include permitting and right-of-way acquisition, as well as completing the final design.

12. How can I get additional information about the project?

Please contact the Director of Public Works, Bryan K. Osborne at bosborne@colchestervt.gov or 802-264-5620.

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1. What are the Town Office hours of business?

Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 

2. How and when can I register to vote?

You can register to vote online at the Vermont Secretary of State's website: https://olvr.sec.state.vt.us/. You may register anytime, including on the day of an election at your polling place . You may also register at the Department of Motor Vehicles when you obtain or renew your Vermont driver's license or at Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours. 

Elections

3. When are taxes due?

Taxes are due in three installments:August 15th, November 15th, and March 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend they are due on the following Monday. Property Taxes

4. Who should I contact about my water service or water bill?

Water supply services in the Town of Colchester are provided by five distinct entities for water that are all separate from the Town. Each water district operates under different governmental structures, boards, and bylaws. You can find contact information and other details about the individual districts here -  http://colchestervt.gov/502/Colchester-Water-Supply-Services

5. Where can I get my car seat fitted?

Contact Colchester Police (802-264-5555), Or Colchester Rescue (802-264-5590) to schedule an appointment for car seat fitting. Colchester Rescue

6. Who can remove a wild animal from my property?

Please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Damage Control at 802-223-8690 or see a directory for an animal pest control business. 

7. Is the water safe at the beach?

Water quality is tested regularly. Call the Parks & Recreation Department at 802-264-5640 for updated information. If the beaches are closed due to an issue with water quality an alert will be posted on the main page of this website. 

Water Quality Test Results

8. Can we have a campfire at our house?

Yes, if it is not greater than 30 inches in diameter you do not need a permit. For a larger burn, please contact the Colchester Police Department at 802-264-5556. You can read Section 7-14 of the Code of Ordinances at the link below.
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9. Where can we get Great Escape or Six Flags tickets?

Discounted Great Escape and Six Flags New England tickets can be purchased through the Parks & Recreation Department by cash or check only. Credit cards are NOT accepted. For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation webpage or call 802-264-5640. Purchase in person at the Town Offices; go to the Parks and Recreation window on the 2nd floor. 

visit their webpage

10. Where is the Colchester post office, and what is the phone number?

The U.S. Post Office is located at 218 Malletts Bay Avenue; call 802-655-1376.

11. How do I register my dog?

Dog registration is completed through the Town Clerk's office. There is additional information on animal licenses in the Town Clerk section of the website. Animal Licensing

12. Does the Town pick up trash and recycling?

Colchester does not provide trash and recycling pick up. Residents and businesses can contract for private pick up or bring to Myers Recycling Center on Rathe Road in Colchester. Another option is the Solid Waste Districts numerous locations. Chittenden Solid Waste District

13. Is there a leash law?

Animals are required to be "under the control" of the owner (or a member of his/her immediate family or other agent) anywhere besides the owner's property; the exception is a recreation/bike path, which specifically requires a leash of up to 6 feet. In this context, "under the control" of the owner implies that the person exhibits control of the animal by command, and that the animal is prevented from "causing injury, damage, disturbance or annoyance to others." For information about pets in Colchester Parks or on Colchester recreation paths see Chapter 9 of the Town Ordiances, at:  https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vtSection 9-52  and scroll to Section 9-52. 

Leash Law / Animal Ordinances

14. Who do I call about a dead animal in the road?

Call the Colchester Police Department on the non-emergency line 802-264-5556, for animals located in the road or public right of way.

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1. Is there another town or model in Vermont where this type of study has been done? Have we learned what to do and what not to do?

This is not the first time a storm water systems study has been conducted, but this is the first truly comprehensive program as far as integrating storm water and onsite systems. The Environmental Protection Agency is funding this as a demonstration project to see if the program will be successful.

2. There have been a lot of studies done by the University of Vermont and by the State over the years. Will you use any of those studies and reports for this program?

We plan to use all of the past and current studies, report and resources available to us for this effort. We have tapped into various other organizations and groups throughout the state to be sure we have all the information available to us allowing us to enhance our work.

3. How long will it take to complete the study?

The study has been designed to be conducted over 3 years. There will be 2 phases, the first phase is the evaluation phase. This began in April 2009 and will take 2 years to complete. The 2nd phase is the study phase, which we plan to begin in 2011 and finish in 2012. This phase will take 1 year to complete and will include the ribotyping work.

4. Will future Intergrated Water Resources Management meetings be taped so that they can be accessed by the public?

We hope to have a television or audio/visual crew here at each meeting to document our meetings so that the meetings can be archived for public use.

5. During the study are there any success criteria that the Environmental Protection Agency has established that the study must meet to continue receiving funding?

Colchester has been given a unique opportunity by the Environmental Protection Agency to be a test site for the study and we have been given a grant to fund the study. Because of the pilot nature of the program there are no specific requirements that we have to meet. We do have to report quarterly to the Environmental Protection Agency concerning our timeline and any budgeting issues that we may have and why.

6. Will you collect data on the current water quality condition of the lake and ground water in Colchester?

We will not be collecting data on the ground water in Colchester. We will also not be sampling other sections of the lake other than the beach areas and areas related to the impaired watersheds that the state has already identified.

7. Will you be testing the levels of chemical waste in addition to biological waste?

We are focused on biological waste and we will only be testing the bacterial levels in and around the water. The goal of the project is to identify areas that have high levels of pathogens that have the potential to become public health concerns.

8. Will you be sampling at Rossetti Beach?

Yes. We have been sampling at Rossetti Beach and we will continue to do so. We have a sampling program that runs independently of this project and we will use the data collected from those samplings to supplement this project, particularly with the DNA ribotyping.

9. Will your testing areas include all of the marina areas as well as public access areas where people swim?

Marinas and public access areas will be sampled. We will look at historical data to strategically locate the best areas to perform sample testing. We are unable to sample every stream in Colchester, but we will focus on areas where there is a heightened potential for contamination or public health concerns.

10. How will you locate the areas that have wastewater treatment systems and how will you determine if others need 1?

The town has substantial information on nearly every lot with a wastewater treatment system. If we are missing information, our field testing team will be in charge of locating areas that may be at high risk for contamination. We will use historical septic records to locate these areas and they will be supplemented with onsite field testing.

11. That would be the expected lifespan of an advanced onsite wastewater system like a mound system?

The soil quality, the system design, and the use and maintenance of the system will affect the lifespan of the system. In good conditions, a mound system could last 20 to 25 years. Regular inspections to find problems at an early stage will increase the lifespan and make repairs easy and inexpensive to fix.

12. Will you be assessing the locations and extent of impervious surfaces?

Yes. Assessing impervious surfaces is part of the study. We will be looking at where the storm water discharge locations and the condition of the water at the discharge sites.

13. What are the sources of sediment buildup because it also seems like a problem that needs to be addressed?

When it rains the water naturally permeates the ground but in areas where the ground is impervious the storm water flows along the ground sweeping up debris which is then deposited into the water.

14. How will you collaborate with future construction projects that occur during Environmental Protection Agency study to ensure that what they are doing does not interfere with the study process?

We have established an entire project planning team lead by the Town's Director of Planning and Zoning, the Town planner and the Town's Chief Financial Officer. It will be their responsibility to collaborate with the project leaders of the various construction projects to establish best practices and to ensure that our study will not be heavily impacted.

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1. Loans for Septic

The State of Vermont is now offering low-interest loans for wastewater systems.  

2. How do I care for my septic system?

See this link for information on how to maintain your septic system.

3. Why do I have to wait 15 days before beginning work if I have a permit?

The 15 days is an "appeals" period that provides notice to neighbors so they may review pending changes.

4. What is a "Certificate of Occupancy", and when do I need to get one?

A "Certificate of Occupancy" shows that your construction has been completed properly within the parameters of the building permit. You should close out every building permit with a final inspection by the building inspector, including unoccupied items such as permanent signs, sheds, pools and fences. It is the last step of the permitting process, and is included in the permit fee if the work is completed within one year.

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1. What is Stormwater Runoff?

Please visit our Stormwater Runnoff page.

2. Why is Stormwater Runoff a problem?

Please view the Runnoff Problem page.

3. Why and how to manage Stormwater?

Please view the Managing Stormwater page.

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1. When will my road be plowed?

The Town does not have sufficient equipment and operators to plow all roads at once. The Town’s 1st priority is the plowing of major arterial roads. These are defined as roads that carry the majority of the traffic and connect major sections of the Town to provide emergency access for fire, police, and medical services.

It takes 2-3 hours to plow the major arterial roadways once. Depending upon the time of day and storm conditions, it may be necessary to plow them multiple times resulting in plows remaining on the major arterial roads for extended periods of time. Once the major arterial roadways are completed, plowing will begin on the Town’s residential streets. It takes approximately 4-5 hours to plow all residential streets once.

2. Why does a street right next to my street get plowed first and the snow plow does not come back until hours later to plow my street?

Some residential streets contain steep grades or other conditions that make them more difficult to navigate under storm conditions. For safety reasons, these streets are assigned a higher priority similar to that assigned to major arterial roadways.

3. Why does the snow plow leave snow that blocks my driveway?

Plow operators do not intentionally block driveways. It is not practical for plow operators to lift their plows at every driveway as it would leave large piles of snow in the roadway at every driveway. Tip: When possible, clear your driveway after the plow has gone by. When clearing your driveway, try to pile the snow on the right side, (standing in your driveway and looking at the street). This can help reduce the amount of snow that is pushed into your driveway when a plow passes.

4. Why do the snowplows sometimes come by a second time and leave a windrow of snow on the end of my driveway after I’ve already shoveled it?

The width of some Town roadways requires more than one pass in each direction to fully clear the roadway. To ensure that plowing operations keep pace with snow accumulations during heavy snowfall, roadways are cleared only to the necessary width to allow vehicles to safely pass. This will require that the plow return to these roadways as time permits to make additional passes to fully clear the roadway. Depending upon the storm, this may not take place until the day after the storm.

5. Does the Town have a bare road and sidewalk policy?

While we strive to keep roadway and sidewalk surfaces as clear as possible of ice and snow, the Town does not have a bare surface policy. The management philosophy of our snow and ice removal plan is based upon a balance of the basic principles of public safety, cost containment, and environmental sensitivity. We recognize that the public safety of our residents, guests, and travelers is paramount.

At the same time however, we acknowledge that the community has financial limitations which ultimately shape the level of service that is provided. Finally, we understand the environmental impacts from the use of salt and sand in a lake shore community, and strive to limit these factors through our snow and ice removal program.

6. Why does my lawn get damaged by the sidewalk plow and will the Town repair it?

While operators strive to minimize lawn damage, some degree of damage is inevitable. While the sidewalk plows are designed for sidewalk plowing, including the width of the plows, keeping them in a perfectly straight line is challenging even for the most experienced operator. Deep snow along with poor visibility often makes it difficult for the operator to see the edge of the sidewalk.

In some cases, sod grows over the edge of the sidewalk resulting in damage even when the plow is completely on the sidewalk. When the turf is frozen, damage is minimized. When it is not frozen during the early stages of the winter, damage can be significant. The Town will repair any damage to lawns caused by the sidewalk or snowplows. A work order will be created and the damage will be repaired in the spring.

7. Are gravel roads treated any differently than paved roads?

Yes. Salt cannot be applied to dirt roads as it will cause them to thaw and become soft in the winter. At the very beginning of a storm, salt is applied to the major arterial roadways to reduce the rate of accidents and to prevent the snow from bonding to the pavement. In order to do this within 2-3 hours, it requires the use of all of the Town’s primary plow trucks. Once the asphalt roads are complete the driver will return to the public works garage to change the load to sand at which point the plow driver will begin plowing and sanding the gravel roads.

8. Does the Town apply salt or sand to town sidewalks?

No. Salting and sanding of sidewalks would require a significant investment in additional equipment. While the Town has sidewalk tractors, it does not currently own the additional equipment needed for spreading salt and sand. This process also requires significantly more staff time than what the Town has available to both spread the material after each storm, and then clean up the material in the spring time. While the Town sees value in this type of a program, this service cannot be provided within the current levels of funding provided.

9. Who do I contact with other snow plowing concerns, questions, or to report damage?

During normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, call the Public Works Department at 802-264-5620. After hours calls may be directed to the non-emergency line of the Colchester Police Department at 802-264-5556. On call public works supervisors will be contacted if it is an emergency situation that requires an immediate response.

Otherwise these calls will be deferred until the next regular business day. You may also find the answers to other questions you may have within our Snow and Ice Removal Plan.