Farmington accepts $100,000 SRF planning allocation for wastewater capacity study; SRF indicates possible full principal forgiveness

The Farmington Board of Selectmen opened a hearing Feb. 19 to accept a $100,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund allocation to pay for an evaluation and planning work assessing the town’s wastewater treatment facility capacity.

Interim Town Administrator Paul Sanderson told the board the Clean Water SRF has allocated $100,000 for the study and that, although the allocation initially looks like a loan, the SRF has indicated the town is eligible for "100% principal forgiveness" on that obligation if the project is completed according to program requirements. "We will, in fact, with completion of this particular evaluation have 100% forgiveness of that $100,000 obligation," Sanderson said.

Selectmen voted to open the required RSA 33:8‑a hearing and left it open for an hour while the board proceeded with other business; later the board voted to close the hearings and proceed with posting the warrant articles for Town Meeting. If voters approve the warrant article, staff said the town will move ahead with the planning work and comply with SRF program reporting and implementation steps.

Sanderson said the planning study is a prerequisite for SRF funding streams that may be needed to guide future capacity upgrades and that town staff will return with implementation details and any required local match or reporting requirements. The board did not take final action on borrowing that night because the hearing and warrant process were still open.

Next steps: staff will follow SRF administrative guidance, finalize the scope of work for the capacity evaluation, and provide voters with explanatory materials prior to Town Meeting.