Town pursues patchwork of federal and state grants to repair wastewater system; hires LaBerge to lead applications

Town Supervisor Stephen Donnelly and the Town of Queen Anne's board voted June 12 to authorize LaBerge Engineering to pursue grant funding to address chronic problems in the town wastewater system and to begin planning and design work needed to apply for multiple programs.

Scott Siegel of LaBerge told the board the work has been split into two projects. "Project 1" focuses on transmission lines and pump stations, while "Project 2" covers rehabilitation of the treatment plant, meter vaults and UV disinfection. He said LaBerge will pursue planning and construction grants from several programs and recommended completing final engineering to reach bid readiness.

"I am not an engineer," Siegel told the board, adding that LaBerge will rely on its engineering team for technical reports. He described a "funding quilt" of options: a congressional USDA appropriation already earmarked for the town, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs — including a public infrastructure track that can fund up to $2,000,000 — and New York State programs such as the Water Infrastructure (WII) and Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP). Siegel said the existing congressional allocation could be combined with CDBG and other sources to produce a best‑case pool "about 2 and a half million" to address both projects.

Board members pressed Siegel on timing and eligibility. He warned that environmental reviews and grant rules can slow the process and that, under many programs, construction work must pause once an application is under review. "Starting July 31, which is when the CDBG application is due, starting on July 31, really, there should be no work done on the system unless something catastrophic happens and absolutely needs to be addressed," Siegel said, noting the town has documentation agreed with the program to allow emergency exceptions if needed.

Siegel also outlined administrative steps and likely deadlines: preliminary engineering for Project 2 is being rushed to finish by early August so the town can be eligible for the New York EFC/WII round he said will be due by mid‑August. On the USDA side he said an environmental review could be followed by "2 to 3 months" of review before funds are obligated and the town may be able to start bidding.

The board approved a LaBerge contract addendum for grant development and application services at a flat fee of $34,900 plus reimbursables. The addendum, which LaBerge staff said lists the programs they will pursue, does not obligate the town to pursue every program; the firm said the town may opt out of any individual funding path later.

Why it matters: the town's wastewater system has at least two pump stations operating with only one working pump each and components for which parts are no longer manufactured, making short‑term repairs and longer‑term rehabilitation both urgent and expensive. The board discussed emergency pumping options and the risk of reduced staffing at the treatment plant after recent resignations. If the town secures a mix of federal and state funds, officials said they could avoid using only local dollars and speed critical repairs.

What's next: LaBerge will continue completing preliminary engineering and environmental review materials; the town will submit a CDBG application by July 31 and hold a public hearing as part of the CDBG process. The board authorized the supervisor to sign the LaBerge addendum and directed staff to coordinate data (including income surveys and usage data) requested by grant programs so applications can be strengthened.