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Board debates reduced Phase 2 scope to limit rates; considers executive review before SRF submittal
Summary
Engineers proposed a smaller Phase 2 to serve Hudson Lake lakefront with a pressure sewer, doubling the Travel Plaza 3 plant capacity from 0.08 to 0.16 MGD to allow up to ~475 future EDUs; board discussed rate impacts and the need to pursue additional subsidization before SRF application.
The district’s engineer presented a refined proposal for Phase 2 of the Hudson/Sogony program at the Feb. 24 meeting: rather than extending service to the entire previously identified Hudson Lake service area, the proposed scope would focus on the lakefront area and use a pressure sewer approach. The plan also includes constructing Pump Station 8 at Forest Maine to convey flow to Pump Station 7 at Saucony Lake and a reduced expansion of Travel Plaza 3 that would raise the plant’s rated capacity from 0.08 million gallons per day (MGD) to 0.16 MGD.
Engineer estimates mentioned an initial Hudson phase serving roughly 350 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). With the proposed plant expansion, the system would have room for roughly 475 EDUs of future expansion before a major plant expansion would be needed. Board members and staff stressed that rate impacts are a key constraint: participants said the district needs to keep monthly rates close to the first-phase target (discussed as roughly $1.15, with examples indicating a higher rate would be a difficult sell to residents).
Members discussed strategies to reduce rate pressure, including seeking additional subsidization from state, federal or local sources and convening a focused executive/finance committee meeting to refine budget numbers and subsidy options before submitting a Phase 2 package to the State Revolving Fund (SRF). The engineer said the proposed scope is still budgetary and would require further design and a committee review; one board member requested an executive‑session review with project leads before moving forward with an SRF submittal.
Next steps: the board agreed to attempt scheduling a finance or executive committee meeting next week to review budgets, review potential subsidy avenues and decide which board members will participate in external subsidy‑seeking meetings. No formal approval to submit a Phase 2 SRF application was recorded at the meeting.
