Milton approves fast‑track task order for new wastewater plant, prioritizes removing effluent from Blackwater River

The Milton City Council on Dec. 19 approved a fast‑track task order for redesign work on a new wastewater treatment plant and ordered the city engineer to prioritize design work that removes treated effluent from the Blackwater River.

The motion, moved by Councilman Leek and seconded by Councilman Powell, authorized a fast‑track task order priced at $2,531,825 to Baskerville Donovan Inc. (BDI). Because the meeting’s Wi‑Fi was down, council took a voice vote; the mayor announced all members present voted in favor and the motion passed.

The council faced two options presented by city staff: a ‘‘fast track’’ approach to relocate the intermediate storage tank, lined pond and treatment plant to the 80‑acre site (estimated at about 465 days and roughly $2.5 million for the task order scope presented) or a full ‘‘blank‑page’’ redesign guided by public input (about 675 days and approximately $6 million for the preliminary engineering scope). Staff said both task orders were sized for a 4,000,000 gallon‑per‑day plant so the city would begin with full capacity rather than phased expansion.

Ed Spears, who introduced the task orders, told the…