Seward board pursues up to $1.5 million in CDBG funds to add treatment units amid DEC negotiations

The Town of Seward Board announced on July 13 that it is applying for up to $1,500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to add three Orenco treatment units and an anoxic tank to the town’s existing wastewater treatment system. The application and public hearing drew several resident questions about scope and compliance.

At the hearing, resident Nancy Kniskern asked whether the project would repair the existing sewer lines; Mark Christman, speaking as the project presenter, said the plan calls for adding new tanks to the system rather than only repairing lines. Supervisor Mark Fletcher told attendees the town is negotiating with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on outstanding penalties and repair deadlines; he said negotiations have reduced an interim demand from roughly $20,000 to about $10,000 and that the board is seeking more time to complete repairs beyond the 2027 deadline. Fletcher also stated the DEC originally assessed a larger penalty and that negotiations reduced that original assessed amount by roughly $80,000.

Board members emphasized that pursuing the wastewater grant does not preclude applying for other grants but that each application draws on distinct program rules. Several residents urged the board to prioritize the sewer application over other potential CDBG projects. The board did not vote on the grant application at the meeting; the public hearing closed at 7:20 p.m. and the board said it will consider the grants further at upcoming meetings.