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Johnsburg board clears way for ORDA to begin wastewater planning for lodge on town land
Summary
The Town Board approved a resolution allowing ORDA to begin designing a wastewater system on town property to enable a private lodge to open on schedule while the town continues its municipal sewer permitting; the resolution is intentionally vague and will be reviewed by attorneys before any construction or town commitments are made.
The Town Board of Johnsburg on Jan. 7 approved a resolution that grants ORDA permission to begin planning and engineering a wastewater treatment system on town-owned land to support a proposed lodge while the town proceeds with its own municipal sewer project.
Board member Jim, speaking to the board, said the town has faced permitting delays and that the measure is intended to allow ORDA to proceed without committing the town to construction. "The Town is committed to, building that sewer," Jim said as he described the aim of coordinating ORDA's designs with the town's future system. He emphasized the resolution is only an authorization to begin planning and that permitting and town sign-off will still be required for any work on town land.
The board discussed technical and legal uncertainties: bids returned in November exceeded allotted funding, the DEC process involved multiple rounds of comments, and the town may need to rebid parts of the sewer work. Board members said ORDA's system might use a different technology but must be compatible with the town's processing facility planned behind Town Hall. Several board members urged that the resolution be reviewed by town counsel prior to final agreements.
After discussion and an offer to run the draft by the town's attorneys, the board voted in favor of the floor resolution. Supporters said allowing ORDA to proceed with planning could help ensure the lodge opens on schedule, while opponents asked for clearer contingency language on attorney review and financial responsibilities.
Board members and commenters noted remaining steps: ORDA must submit plans for work on town land, those plans will require town signatures for permitting, and financial terms would be addressed later if ORDA's infrastructure were turned over to the town. The resolution passed by voice vote; board members said additional, more detailed resolutions will follow as engineering and funding are clarified.
