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Drummond advances $8.35 million wastewater upgrade; rate increase and public hearings expected
Summary
The Town of Drummond on March 18 confirmed the funding package for an $8.35 million wastewater treatment facility upgrade, with roughly $6.93 million in grants and forgiveness secured and $1.42 million planned as loans. The council was told sewer rates will rise and public hearings will follow once bid numbers are received.
The Town of Drummond Council on March 18 moved forward on a multi‑phase wastewater treatment facility upgrade with a project budget of $8.35 million and a funding package the council was told is largely in place.
Engineer Brad Koon of Triple Tree Engineering told the council that about $6,925,501.21 (approximately 83 percent) has been secured through grants and forgiveness, and the remaining $1,418,498.79 (about 17 percent) will be covered by loans. Koon said the town will schedule public hearings on proposed sewer‑rate increases when bid numbers are received and that construction is currently anticipated to begin in mid‑June 2025.
Mayor Gail Leeper and council members reiterated that required legal notices will be published after all funding agents approve the package and that a pre‑bid meeting and competitive bidding process will follow. The council was informed that Town Attorney McGill is drafting the title/site opinion required by funding partners and that a special council meeting may be called once USDA/Rural Development paperwork and numbers arrive.
Council and staff also discussed on‑site security measures for the wastewater treatment facility. Public Works Director Harrington said additional check‑in measures and signage are planned and that monitoring cameras are being considered. Harrington and Council Member Clute reported repeated operational issues at a lift station, including high‑water alarms; a pump was pulled and tested by Xylem and found to be functioning, and Palmer Electric is scheduled to upgrade the switch. Council members asked Harrington to obtain additional service quotes for lift‑station maintenance.
Council members cautioned that improper disposal—paper goods, grease and needles—has contributed to equipment problems and that code enforcement and public outreach on proper disposal will be revisited at future meetings.
The council did not adopt final rate increases at the March 18 meeting; those will be set after staff receives bid numbers and holds the required public hearings. The town anticipates construction to begin mid‑June, subject to completed contracting and outstanding paperwork from USDA/Rural Development.
