Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Concord Public Works flags MCI wastewater site: response deadline and major upgrade costs discussed
Summary
Staff told the commission the town must respond to DCAM by Feb. 24 about the MCI wastewater treatment facility; staff cited approximately $7 million in near‑term investments to keep the plant operating and a larger $20–25 million estimate to upgrade and expand capacity if the town assumes the facility.
Public Works staff briefed the commission on the MCI wastewater treatment facility and the town’s near‑term options. Staff said the town must submit a response to the state’s Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) by Feb. 24 and that additional negotiation time follows; staff emphasized the operational need for significant capital investment to keep the plant functioning and to enable redevelopment opportunities tied to capacity.
Staff cited roughly $7 million of near‑term investments identified for the plant itself and said an additional $14–18 million (staff estimate range) could be required to upgrade and expand capacity if the town takes on the facility for redevelopment purposes, producing a total project ballpark of roughly $20–25 million. Staff framed the potential takeover as both a cost and an opportunity: without added capacity, the town faces constraints on housing and commercial development that could broaden the residential tax burden.
Next steps and uncertainties: staff said the town has limited time to respond and will pursue creative negotiations with DCAM; detailed engineering and financing scenarios will need to be developed and presented to the Select Board and town meeting. Commissioners asked for more specificity about capacity expansion potential and how plant upgrades would be phased and financed; no decision was taken at this meeting.
