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Winchester selectmen approve application for $250,000 sewer planning grant
Summary
The Board of Selectmen unanimously authorized the town to apply for a $250,000 state planning grant to fund an engineering study of the wastewater treatment plant, a first step toward seeking larger construction funding with a 55% DEEP reimbursement.
The Board of Selectmen on Monday voted unanimously to authorize Winchester to apply for a $250,000 planning grant through the state’s SIF program to pay an engineering firm to evaluate and produce stamped plans for upgrades to the town wastewater treatment plant.
Town Manager (name not specified) told the board that the planning funds would pay an engineer to inspect the plant, “look at all of our machinery in the plant, come back with a plan of exactly what upgrades we need, have it stamped by an engineer,” and that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) can reimburse 55% of costs for projects that follow from the plan.
The resolution before the board enables Winchester to submit a SIF (Small Investment Fund/SIF 2030 round 7) planning application of $250,000 for what staff called the “rescue plan” — a rehabilitation and evaluation study of critical wastewater plant components. The town manager said there is no required local match to file for the $250,000 planning grant. Selectmen also authorized a certified resolution directing the town to apply for the planning funds.
Board members and staff framed the planning grant as a necessary first step: the stamped engineering plans are intended to make the town competitive for future construction funding, including DEEP reimbursements and other state grant or bonding opportunities. Town Manager noted the SIF round is competitive and limited to 55 distressed communities statewide; he described the planning grant as a lever to unlock larger project funding later.
The board approved the resolution and authorized the mayor to sign the accompanying letter of support; the motions passed unanimously.
The town also discussed related sanitary-sewer follow-ups during public comment, including a suggestion to TV (camera) and evaluate sewer lines and to consider hooded catch basins for stormwater entering Highland Lake. Those items were presented as next-step suggestions rather than actions tied to the SIF application.
The board’s approval allows staff to submit the planning grant application and pursue the stamped engineering study that DEEP reimbursement rules require.
