Madison council hears engineer on WWTP decommissioning costs; fiscal officer adds the quote to budget

Village Engineer Eric Haibach told council he is working with Chivers Construction Co. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a plan to decommission the village wastewater treatment plant. He said he has received an initial cost estimate that he described as higher than he expected and said he hopes the cost will come down after further planning and negotiations.

Fiscal Officer Kristie Crockett said staff had updated the budget to include the decommissioning quote and that budget packets have been distributed; she added that she will be working on the first-quarter temporary appropriations and on year-end filings, including W-2s, 1099s and financial statements.

Council approved a not-to-exceed $5,000 purchase order to Chivers Construction Co. to remove excess effluent from the WWTP, a near-term step distinct from the larger decommissioning project. Engineer Haibach said he has obtained a decommissioning cost figure but did not specify that total in the meeting record; the fiscal officer said the amount has been added to the budget and she hopes the projected cost will be reduced.

The council also approved a $32,973.25 payment for the village’s local share of the Middle Ridge Road Paving Project and a $3,370.90 purchase of simunition equipment for police training, votes that do not directly alter the WWTP plan but affect near-term cash flow.

What’s next: staff will continue decommissioning planning with Chivers and the EPA, and return with further cost information; the short-term effluent removal will be scheduled under the approved purchase order.