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Lake George Park Commission backs MOU and $48,000 for village septic-receiving design
Summary
Commissioners approved an MOU with the Village of Lake George and authorized up to $48,000 to support engineering design for a proposed holding pond and other upgrades intended to expand septic receiving capacity and avoid subsidizing haulers, while staff warned the full construction cost could be several million dollars.
The Lake George Park Commission voted to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Village of Lake George and to provide up to $48,000 for an engineering design aimed at expanding the village wastewater plant’s ability to receive septic-hauler loads.
Sean Doty, the project’s engineer of record, told the commission the village has identified options — including reuse of existing secondary clarifiers and an equalization tank — and faces significant construction and operating costs. “The village has been diligent in applying and has received the opportunity to take 0% interest financing, which is not insignificant on $3,800,000,” Doty said during the presentation.
Doty and village representatives said preliminary engineering must verify whether village ratepayers would be expected to subsidize treatment of septage brought in by outside haulers. Doty said the work will include finer testing of BOD, TSS, ammonia and phosphorus in septage, evaluation of odor-control options and vendor quotes to refine construction estimates. He added that retrofitting an existing building over unused clarifiers “may have merit” but would require a closer look at costs and whether the building could be adapted without structural problems.
Commission staff framed the commission’s funding role as limited to design support: Resolution 2025-35 authorizes $48,000 to be paid upon receipt of an engineer’s stamped design. Commissioners also approved Resolution 2025-34, authorizing the commission chair to execute the MOU with the village so both bodies can pursue coordinated projects. The commission discussed but did not commit to construction funding; the presentation repeatedly noted an estimated construction price in the low millions and the need for outside financing or grants to cover build-out costs.
Commissioners asked whether increased fees would drive haulers elsewhere and how village rates compared with neighboring treatment plants; Doty said the village rate is roughly $100 per thousand gallons and said the commission’s financial analysis must ensure treatment of hauled septage is not subsidized by village customers. The commission asked staff to advance preliminary engineering and return with more refined cost and rate information before any construction commitment.
The commission approved both resolutions by voice vote; staff said follow-up work will focus on completing the stamped design, confirming financial assumptions and evaluating odor control options before seeking construction funding.
