Officials: Bayberry Hills golf-course disposal permitting on DEP timeline; higher irrigation rate would need pilot testing

Committee members heard a permitting update for the Bayberry Hills golf course project: town staff said a hydrogeological report was submitted to DEP in March, DEP agreed to provide review comments by June 1, and a May 19 workshop with regional DEP staff is scheduled to discuss the SRF application timeline.

The chairman and staff explained that the conceptual design report for the SRF loan must be submitted to DEP by July 31 to stay on the SRF schedule and reach an intended-use plan in 2027. If the town seeks the higher irrigation loading rate proposed for the driving-range disposal area, staff said DEP has indicated extensive pilot testing would be required and that testing could delay the SRF timeline.

Staff described a conservative, high-level cost estimate of about $35,000,000 for the additional disposal/treatment work, but noted engineers are evaluating alternatives that could lower costs; officials cautioned that additional treatment requirements might push cost estimates higher. The town anticipated using SRF low-interest loans and local Water Protection Trust contributions but said DEP grant funding up to the $35 million magnitude is unlikely.

Committee members also discussed operational details: the golf course presently receives irrigation water from the existing septic facility in winter and uses fresh water seasonally; staff clarified the town is planning a new force main to carry larger flows to the treatment plant rather than relying on septic-facility infrastructure, and noted DEP concerns about mixing separate treatment-process flows.