Selectmen agree to send letter supporting grant to rehabilitate wastewater clarifiers; staff warn of permit risk

Town staff asked the Board of Selectmen March 24 to sign a letter of support to reapply for federal funding to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant's secondary clarifiers and the board approved the request.

Eric (no last name provided) explained the town applied last year under a different account and was not approved; this year staff plan to apply under EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants, which focus on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Eric said last-year bids came in at $1.5 million to $2 million and that applicants often request a higher amount and are later reduced by the funder; "it seems like $1 million seems to be the average," he said, and noted the project typically requires a 20% local cost share.

Eric described the clarifiers' technical role: the circular secondary clarifier tanks reduce liquid velocity to allow solids—microbial biomass that carries phosphorus and metals—to settle. He said North Brookfield's permit requires removal of suspended solids and nutrients and warned that losing a clarifier could lead to permit violations and enforcement from state or federal regulators.

After the briefing the board moved to send the support letter to U.S. senators (the motion referenced Senator Markey as the intended recipient) and approved the motion. Eric and staff said they will pursue the application and consider funding alternatives if the award is smaller than requested.

Next steps: staff will submit the application; the town will consider local financing options if additional funds are needed to complete full rehabilitation.