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MetCom presents CIP changes, says St. Clement Shores wastewater expansion moving to award
Summary
Metropolitan Commission staff reviewed FY27-FY31 capital improvements, noting rehabilitation-focused work, a planned $7 million water tank, and a $22 million St. Clement Shores wastewater plant expansion funded partly from reserves; MetCom expects Board of Public Works action and imminent award.
The St. Mary's Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) briefed county commissioners April 21 on its FY27 capital budget and the FY28'FY31 capital improvement plan, saying the package mirrors last year with timing and cost adjustments rather than new projects.
Director George Ericsson told the board MetCom's FY27 water budget shows a $755,000 decrease and the sewer budget a $744,000 decrease versus prior projections, reflecting project timing shifts. He said about 91% of MetCom's water projects are rehabilitation and repair rather than expansion, and noted MetCom operates 28 water systems, 55 pumping stations and roughly 371 miles of water main.
Christy Hollander, MetCom's chief engineering officer, highlighted several projects: a planned $7 million Saint Clement Shores water storage tank in FY27, continued well rehabilitation and tank replacements ($171,000 in FY27), and an AMI metering project deferred to later years to enable remote meter reads for customers. On sewer, Hollander described inflow and infiltration (I&I) removal work that yielded increased capacity at the Marley Taylor treatment plant and allowed MetCom to defer an upgrade.
Ericsson said MetCom is preparing to award the $22 million Saint Clement Shores wastewater treatment plant expansion after a prolonged state review; the bids were opened in August 2025 and the Board of Public Works was scheduled to act the following day. He said MetCom chose to use a substantial portion of reserves to fund the balance of the project, and provided a multi-year reserve and funding summary that shows planned reserve expenditures across FY26'FY32.
Commissioners asked about overflow risks during hurricanes and the relationship with the Town of Leonardtown's treatment plant; MetCom staff said pump stations are the point of vulnerability, not treatment plants, and contractors are premobilized for major storms. Commissioners also pressed about reserve usage and timeline implications for the St. Clement Shores award.
MetCom said it will tentatively seek final county approval during a joint public hearing May 12 and proceed with necessary state steps, contingent on Board of Public Works concurrence and loan closing.
