Board approves tunnel contract and higher sewer rates to meet federal consent decree

Tim Clardy, the City of Manchester public works director, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the city must move forward with a 2.25-mile, 14-foot-diameter tunnel and related sewer-separation work to meet deadlines in a negotiated federal consent decree addressing combined-sewer overflows.

Clardy said the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is funded through user fees and that the proposed capital plan requires a change to the existing rate structure. "We have little choice of moving forward as we have entered into a negotiated consent decree with the federal government," Clardy said, explaining the city faces direct deadlines and potential fines under the consent decree.

The nut graf: The board debated whether to authorize the Department of Public Works to execute a tunneling contract, approve a shifted rate schedule to support the work and allow finance to issue revenue bonds. Supporters stressed the legal and environmental imperative of the consent decree; opponents and several aldermen warned of the financial burden on residents and businesses.

Most important facts: Public Works said the CSO tunnel is the largest element of the city's compliance program and is required to reduce untreated discharges to the…