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Washington County Sewer District accepts CHPE plan, authorizes EPG grant application and hears multiple project updates
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the Washington County Sewer District authorized staff to sign the CHPE Corridor Management Plan after legal review, approved applying for a $60,000 EPG study (state $50,000, District $10,000) to study an equalization tank, and received status updates on WWTP grit repairs, administrative building financing, Drifting Ridge design, and other capital projects.
Matt Traver, chair of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, called the Washington County Sewer District meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. on June 9 at the Rogers Island Visitors Center and the board approved the minutes of May 12 by unanimous vote.
Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of the Washington County Sewer District, told the board the CHPE Corridor Management Plan work in the District is complete and that legal review by counsel and outside counsel found the wrap‑up documents acceptable. The board voted to authorize Mr. Gorman to sign the plan following final legal review; the motion was made by Ed Carpenter and seconded by James Maskell.
The board also authorized Mr. Gorman to apply for an Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to fund a feasibility study for an equalization (EQ) tank. Gorman said the grant application would propose a 20 percent local match, with the state portion at $50,000 and the District share at $10,000. James Maskell moved to authorize the application; Tim Fisher seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
On plant operations, Gorman reported the Wastewater Treatment Plant long‑term control plan construction is substantially complete and the final pay application has been received. He said Wendel will submit a change order of about $104,000 to cover reconstructed grit work after the original grit design failed and was replaced with a more reliable solution. Gorman also reported problems with the cogeneration unit, saying the unit "is not currently working," and noted the state EFC is exploring long‑term financing options for the project.
On the proposed new administration building, Gorman said bid documents are being finalized with SDA to go out to bid, but staff discovered a possible missed resolution from last year that may have required a public hearing before a bond resolution. That omission could delay the project’s planned short‑term financing close in September while the District determines how to address the issue.
Gorman said the Drifting Ridge engineering contract will be awarded to KB Engineering at the county Board of Supervisors meeting next week; the project will be funded through a bond anticipation note so it will carry no EFC requirements. He told the board he expects a 50 percent county infrastructure grant from Empire State Development, with design beginning this fall and construction targeted for early 2027.
The board heard that two major storm separation projects, HF‑1A and FE‑1A, remain priorities to reduce infiltration and inflow; FE‑1A also includes a sewer relocation. Gorman said HF‑1A was paused in 2024 and FE‑1A needs additional preparatory work. He added he had heard the Governor’s office may allocate approximately $25.9 million to the county; if that funding is awarded, he said those storm separation projects could proceed.
Several other high‑cost projects — septage receiving, sludge drying and a clarifier — remain on hold after unsuccessful grant applications. Gorman said pursuing those projects without grant support would not be financially prudent. He also described the EPG EQ tank study as one tool to mitigate overflows and bolster capacity, though he noted an EQ tank may be unnecessary if HF‑1A and FE‑1A move forward.
On a request from a non‑District property at 293 Broadway to connect to District sewer, Gorman said an estimated cost to install a stub was $80,000 and he had not yet received input from the Department of Transportation. He did not recommend proceeding with the stub installation at this time; Matthew Fuller of Meyer, Fuller & Stockwell suggested the property owner could seek an easement from a neighbor and tie in at Stevens Lane instead.
The meeting closed at 4:20 p.m. after a motion to adjourn by Ed Carpenter, seconded by James Maskell.
Votes at a glance: The board approved acceptance of the CHPE Corridor Management Plan (motion by Ed Carpenter; seconded by James Maskell); authorized the EPG grant application (motion by James Maskell; seconded by Tim Fisher); accepted the minutes of 05/12/26 (motion by Tim Fisher; seconded by James Maskell); and adjourned (motion by Ed Carpenter; seconded by James Maskell). All recorded motions carried by unanimous vote.
