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Chicopee council authorizes $1.25M borrowing for wastewater master plan; approves $1.1M for sludge disposal
Summary
The City Council approved borrowing authorization to fund a comprehensive wastewater management plan needed to qualify for 0% SRF loans for a nitrogen removal project, and approved a separate appropriation to cover rising sludge disposal costs for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The Chicopee City Council on Tuesday approved a $1,250,000 borrowing authorization to finance a comprehensive wastewater management plan for the Chicopee Water Pollution Control Facility and separately appropriated $1,099,900 to cover sludge disposal costs for the remainder of the fiscal year.
The mayor told the council the comprehensive plan is needed so the city will “be eligible for 0% financing on our upcoming, large nutrient removal project that the nitrogen project that we now have to do, due to our, new EPA permit.” The council passed the borrowing authorization by roll-call vote.
Superintendent Liz, who oversees the plant, said the plan functions as a master plan describing projects, needs and costs so the city can qualify for low-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans. “It’s gonna be a huge undertaking,” she said. She also told the council the city has sought grant funding and currently has about “$10,000,000 money” available to offset future costs.
Councilors were told the wastewater treatment plant must make upgrades to reduce nitrogen in treated effluent to meet EPA permit requirements and that the master plan is a prerequisite for 0% SRF financing on the larger nutrient-removal work. The separate $1,099,900 appropriation was presented as a response to rising solids-disposal costs and to ensure the department can complete required operations for the fiscal year.
Both measures passed in separate roll-call votes. The bond authorization passed on the motion; the sludge disposal appropriation was approved after council discussion of increased disposal costs and plant operations.
The superintendent and the mayor said the city will continue to pursue grant funding to lower the remaining borrowing needs for the overall nitrogen removal project. No construction contracts were awarded at the meeting; the action authorized planning and borrowing steps needed to pursue SRF financing and to cover existing operating costs.
