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Engineers warn exposed sewer pipe, aging plant equipment in Northfield evaluation
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Summary
Engineers from Aldridge & Elliott told the Northfield Select Board a 20‑year wastewater evaluation found an exposed sewer run at Bean’s Field, an unsafe 40‑ft manhole (Intercept 19) and aging plant equipment; they urged a preliminary engineering study this year and outlined funding options including the Vermont State Revolving Fund.
Engineers from Aldridge & Elliott presented the town’s 20‑year wastewater treatment facility evaluation and urged the Select Board to prioritize a set of short‑term repairs while planning for a larger upgrade in several years.
Jeffrey Lewis, owner of Aldridge & Elliott, said the study (completed in November 2024) examined the sewer collection system, pump stations and the treatment plant. “We did a lot during the spring and summer with Jim and the other staff down at the wastewater plant,” Lewis said, and the firm offered a five‑year capital plan and an implementation schedule to guide town budgeting.
Mallory Duncan, one of the firm’s process engineers, described specific safety and compliance concerns. She highlighted an exposed run of pipe behind Sherman Avenue at Bean’s Field that “definitely needs to be addressed pretty quickly,” and identified Intercept 19 — a very tall manhole near East Street — as unsafe for operators to inspect without remedial work. Duncan also noted aging chemical feeds and hoses, oversized aeration blowers nearing end of life, and localized erosion at several stream crossings that could expose pipes.
The engineers recommended completing a step‑1 preliminary engineering evaluation on the exposed pipeline by December to define scope and cost. “If you were to complete the ER this year, you would look to do a final design… and get this out to bid in 2027,” Lewis told the board, noting environmental reviews, easements and phasing could affect timing.
On costs and funding, the consultants said preliminary engineering is modest (they estimated roughly $10,000–$15,000) while construction for larger items could range higher. They recommended pursuing the Vermont State Revolving Fund and noted that typical SRF assistance can include subsidized planning funds (an example figure cited in discussion was a 50% subsidy up to $100,000 for certain engineering work). The engineers offered to assist with RFQs, SRF applications and next steps with town staff or the incoming town manager.
Board members asked about short‑term budget impacts and whether the town had prior drawings for stream‑anchoring work; the consultants said many near‑term items fit within a capital budget but larger projects that reshape the plant would likely require loan funding and more detailed engineering.
The presentation closed with engineers offering follow up work and the board thanking them for the briefing. The board did not take a formal vote on any immediate capital appropriation during the meeting.
