Orange County committee finds sewer-plant upgrade in public interest, readies grant applications

The Physical Services Committee of the Orange County Legislature voted to approve a resolution finding that proposed increases and improvements to Orange County Sewer District No. 1 are in the public interest, a step county staff said is required before submitting applications for state low-cost financing and grants.

Mary Beth Bianconi, a principal with Delaware Engineering, told the committee the action is procedural and does not authorize funding: "You are not approving the funds for this project with this resolution. This is simply to say it's within the public's interest," she said. The committee then voted to advance the resolution to the full legislature.

The nut graf: The county is advancing upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant that staff and consultants say are needed to meet regulatory nutrient limits and address aging infrastructure. Approval of the committee resolution lets county staff file an application under Section 85-a of state law for review by the state comptroller and to pursue financing through programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Delaware Engineering presented…