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Town updates council on wastewater treatment plant upgrade; construction ongoing
Summary
Council heard that the $19 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade is under construction, with a temporary bridge installed to move equipment; staff said electricity costs are a major near‑term expense and that the project is slightly behind schedule but within allowed weather‑day allowances.
Town staff told council the multi‑million‑dollar wastewater treatment plant upgrade is under active construction and remains a high‑cost item in the sewer fund budget.
The project — described in the meeting as roughly a $19 million construction contract — remains an 18‑month undertaking and staff said the contractor recently installed a temporary bridge to move heavy equipment into the site. That temporary bridge is intended to protect an existing town bridge and enable the contractor to work safely.
Staff reported that electricity is a major operating cost component for the upgraded plant and currently budgeted at about $170,000; engineers and the contractor expect the completed upgrade may reduce electricity use, but the town cannot yet quantify the expected savings. Staff said final loan/bond payments for the plant will begin once construction is complete, and that the town has set aside reserve funds to meet those obligations.
Councilors asked about the construction timeline; staff said the contractor has weather‑day allowances and that while the project is behind the original 18‑month schedule, it remains within the agreed allowances.
Next steps: staff will continue to monitor construction progress, provide periodic updates on schedule and cost forecasts, and return with any contract‑scope or change‑order requests for council approval.
