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Lake Placid utilities board hears update on $40 million South Plant; clarifiers 50% complete
Summary
Utility staff reported progress on the South Plant construction, awarded lift-station bids, funding gaps for force mains, a pending capacity-allocation discussion and an operational timeline that targets service in January 2026. The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes at the start of the session.
At a Lake Placid Utilities Board meeting, utility staff reported that construction of the new South wastewater treatment plant is underway, contractors have erected major clarifier walls and key project funding has been allocated, though several force-main connections still need additional funding.
The update matters because the $40,000,000 grant for the South Plant — which officials said had to be allocated by Dec. 31 — is a central element of a larger package of projects that will affect septic-to-sewer conversions, future development capacity and several lift-station upgrades around town.
Kevin, utilities director, told the board that "the 255 diameter clarifier tanks are about 50% complete" and that the concrete work on the clarifier tanks is roughly 90% finished. Dennis Murray, town engineer, showed slides and video of the prestressed concrete tank construction, describing the tanks as "55-foot-diameter tanks" and explaining the shotcrete process used to form the walls.
Officials said the project timeline remains on the critical path and the town is tracking deliveries and lead items such as permanent electrical transformers and a prefab SCADA/control building. The board heard that ICON is supplying a prefab building that will arrive with equipment installed, which the engineer said had reduced the expected on-site wiring and testing time.
On bidding and contracts, utility staff reported that KDL was the low bidder for three lift stations and related force-main work. One bid package that included force mains returned prices roughly double expectations; staff removed the force-main segments from that contract and awarded the two lift-station contracts instead. Kevin said the lift stations will be constructed while the town seeks additional funding for the force mains in a later grant cycle.
Staff flagged a separate camp-and-conference-center lift station that is behind schedule because of power connections. Kevin said engineers and the electrical contractor were meeting with Duke Energy to determine whether overhead or underground service could be completed faster; he said the lift station would be operational on temporary generator power by the next Friday and that permanent power could be 10–12 weeks out.
The board also heard reports on recently completed pipe-bursting work in downtown Lake Placid. Kevin said crews added valves in the field when unknown tie-ins were discovered, describing a total of roughly seven valves added to provide better isolation during work. He said the pipe-bursting contract was about $1,000,000 and that the town contributed about $300,000 from its infrastructure fund so the work could proceed. A separate legal matter was noted: a jogger who tripped on contractor caution tape has filed suit; Kevin said the contractor's insurance will handle that claim.
Staff discussed funding sources and upcoming grant cycles. Kevin said the town has until summer 2026 to spend the $40 million allocation and that the next DEP grant cycle (and other federal or earmark opportunities) will be considered for force-main funding and remaining sewer-conversion segments. He told the board he would return next month with a recommended priority list and capacity-allocation proposals so the board could advise the town council.
The meeting included one formal procedural action: the board approved the meeting agenda and minutes in a single motion. John Draper moved to approve, Pam Brewer seconded and the motion carried on a unanimous poll.
Next steps: staff will return with written recommendations on capacity allocation and a prioritized list of projects for upcoming grant applications; the construction team expects to begin backfilling at the South Plant near the end of January, and the target service date discussed for the new plant is Jan. 16, 2026.
Votes at a glance: John Draper moved to approve the minutes and agenda (motion carried; mover: John Draper; second: Pam Brewer; vote recorded as unanimous: John Draper — yes, Pam Brewer — yes, Matt Elliott — yes, Jack Conley — yes).
