Page 39 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2018

GRATON cont’d from page 38
A proposed solution and why this is important:
Because the state requires tertiary treatment of waste water Occidental had
to develop a plan to remove it instead of treat. Occidental was only capable of secondary treatment. The cost to become tertiary compliant was estimated at $6 million. This mandate went into e ective 1/2018. Occidental now transports its raw sewage to a treatment plant in Windsor at a cost of over $600,000 annually. That’s 4 trucks a day that pass through Graton (on Graton Road).
The GCSD believes that Graton can treat the Occidental wastewater for less. After deducting trucking and treatment costs, Graton could generate additional revenue of nearly $200,000 annually. With an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million, this new revenue stream would represent a 20% increase in operating revenue. The Occidental project is a temporary solution
to Occidental Sewer District treatment issues and provides an opportunity for Graton to increase revenues for the short term without a heavy investment in infrastructure upgrades or treatment costs. The project would be considered
a win/win for both Graton and Occidental residents. There is also a smaller carbon footprint with a shorter trucking route and a reduced exposure with the waste travelling a shorter distance. This is proposed as a 10 year project.
While not eliminating the eventual need to raise rates, this project can postpone that action and at least soften the impact when that happens.
The GCSD is in the process of performing a preliminary rate analysis to compare what the impact to the District customers (over 430 with sewer service allocations totaling 632 equivalent single family dwelling units) may be without the Occidental project and with it.
Next steps will include holding public outreach meetings with the Graton community to describe the proposed project and the potential bene ts. Because it is a project, GCSD will need to prepare an environmental assessment describing alternatives and the degree to which environmental impacts may occur with each alternative. They will also make some modi cations to the eventual receiving point to ensure that the wastewater transfers are done in an environmentally safe and e cient manner.
The GCSD wants the public adequately informed during the process. So they are asking that you please get involved. David Upchurch states “We want to hear from the constituents and we want to get them informed because we want this to be decided collectively”. There will be a community outreach meeting April ?, 2018 at 6:00PM at the Graton Community Building. David Clemmer requests, if possible, that you go to the website and post questions there before the meeting “so we can represent properly with all the facts in hand at the meeting” Of course questions are welcome during as well as your ideas. To post a pre-question visit www.graton.org
More information about the board can be found on the Board page including minutes from past meetings, 2017 Board meeting dates, and archived agendas.
You can also view the most recent GCSD Newsletter. www.graton.org
It should be noted that GCSD works closely with the Sonoma County Water
Skatespot@Forestville
Agency. As a Graton resident you are being asked to participate.
Youth Park Fun Run!
Please attend the Public Outreach Meeting April 18, 2018 at 6:00PM at the Graton Community building.
Spring Flower Show and Plant Sale 8896 Graton Rd, Graton, at the corner
of Graton Rd and Edison Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, 9am-4pm Free Admission . This spring the Graton Community Club takes you to New Orleans for a sparkling and colorful celebration of Mardi Gras! Enjoy the wonderful oral arrangements and live music. Don’t miss the huge plant sale including hundreds of tomato and other veggie starts, succulents, perennials, drought- tolerant plants and others. Also available are handmade novelties and recycled treasures, a great ra e featuring items donated by local persons and businesses, and garden art including handmade mosaics made by our members. A $10 lunch is served both days from 11-2, with co ee, tea and homemade desserts available all day.
April 22, 8:30 - 12:00 at the Forestville Youth Park.
Graton Community Club - April 27 & 28
If you have already signed up THANK YOU! If not, you may do so on the
Forestville Youth Park Website. forestvilleyouthpark.org
Walk, run, race or stroll in the West County while helping the
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The students from Oak Grove School walk over to the club to see a preview of the show on Thursday April 26, the day before the show is open to the public. They get to see the oral displays and the decorations and to purchase small plants and toys for 25 cents each. It’s a special day for the club to watch the children enjoying the tables of owers and decorations depicting Mardi Gras.
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T shirts, goodie bags and refreshments will be given to all participants. There’s also the
Youth Park.
This year’s 5K/10K is a timed event, with
prizes awarded for place finishes. But - if you prefer to walk or stroll, you are welcome, too!
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m m m u u n n i i t t y y, , i i n n c c l l u u d d i i n n g g a a t t r r i i p p t t o o H H a a w w a a i i i i ! !
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This event bene ts a scholarship program for JC students and a building capital campaign to preserve our historic club house.
www.forestvilleskatespot.com/donate.
Continue your generous, Sonoma County spirit by providing West County
707-829-5314 gratoncommunityclub.org
Please let me know if there is something that you would like me to know or write about. You can reach me butlersjennifer@gmail.com
kids with a place to meet, be active, try new things, build confidence, and have fun! And do something good for yourself at the same time. Sign up for the Fun Run and help build a park! INFO: forestvilleskatespot.com
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