BETHEL, NY — The Town of Bethel is starting to accomplish parts of its comprehensive plan, as it proposes a local law that would regulate wastewater package plants.

Package plants are defined by the EPA as “pre-manufactured treatment facilities used to treat wastewater in small communities or on individual properties.” The town’s comprehensive plans called for regulations to allow the safely and sustainably develop these facilities, while still protecting the water quality of the town. Regulations on package plants also were on the comprehensive plan’s list of zoning changes that should be a priority. 

The law calls for a stronger local review process, regulations to protect the town’s waterways, and safeguards to protect the town and its taxpayers from a financial burden, as well as tools to give the town stronger oversight of the operation of the facilities. A public hearing for the law is scheduled during the October 14 meeting of the town board.

“The proposed Package Wastewater Treatment Plant Law is intended to strengthen the Town’s ability to protect water resources while providing a carefully regulated wastewater option for certain developments where individual septic systems may not be practical or environmentally appropriate. It is designed to be consistent with the adopted Town of Bethel Comprehensive Plan,” the narrative for the local law reads.

Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm said during the meeting that he thinks the law is well written, and will address community concerns about these facilities. “It's [a] sorely needed improvement over package plants. A lot of people had that [on the] comprehensive plan as a concern,” Sturm said.

Sturm also credited the team that created the law, which included Nan Stolzenburg, a consultant for the comprehensive plan, as well as Mary Beth Gianconi, a partner at Delaware Engineering. Gianconi first came to the attention of Bethel after Sullivan County’s Commissioner of Planning and Community Development Heather Brown organized a presentation to municipal leaders and members of the public on the topic of package plants. Bethel then paid for her to join the planning team and help consult on the development of the law.

“We had a pretty well-rounded initial group to get these initiatives started,” Sturm said in an interview with the River Reporter.

Sturm told the River Reporter that he thinks that other municipalities can follow Bethel’s model after the law gets drafted and approved. 

“The package plant [law] is going to be good for all towns if they’re interested. I know all towns are struggling with package plants and their design, construction and oversight,” Sturm said. “I think this law is well-rounded and should set an example for others to follow.”

Town Board Member Adam Gold thanked supervisor Sturm for his work to get the law ready for proposal so quickly after the approval of the comprehensive plan.

“I'm very happy to see that work got done so quickly after the new comp plan was adopted,” Gold said. “We spent a lot of time on this specific topic, and I'm glad we got to it so quickly. I hope the work doesn't stop here.”

Sturm said that he doesn’t plan to stop on making good on the recommendations and suggestions laid out by the comprehensive plan.

“This board especially wants to make sure that we’re proactive and we address the things that need to be addressed,” Sturm told the River Reporter.

Sturm encouraged members of the public to show up and voice their opinion on the local law, which can be read at https://townofbethelny.gov/proposed-local-laws.

“I encourage everybody to take a look at the law and come on down” to the public hearing, Sturm said.