County planning office seeks RFQ to design priority sewer projects across multiple towns

Kier Dirlam told committee members that the Sewer Study draft plan has been submitted to his office and will be distributed to municipalities and relevant departments for comment. He said the study covers three of four phases and that the office received approval for an extension to complete the fourth phase, which could not be finished within the originally scheduled days.

Dirlam said the county will issue a Request for Qualifications to develop preliminary engineering plans for priority projects in Alfred, Almond, Andover, Angelica, Belfast, Bolivar, Burns, Canaseraga, Cuba, Rushford Lake and the Hamlet of Rushford. Each municipality will decide how to proceed with intended use plans and potential project development, he said. Legislator Philip G. Stockin asked whether the draft would be sent to all towns and villages or only those included; Dirlam said it will be sent to all towns and villages.

Why it matters: The RFQ will identify engineering teams to translate study priorities into preliminary designs, which are prerequisites for funding and construction. The fourth phase extension provides additional time to finalize deliverables and select projects for design.