Wastewater Committee defers wastewater project

Wastewater Committee defers wastewater project

Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.

Photo by John Coston

The Wastewater Committee elected officers and discussed priorities for the coming year at its regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Unanimously re-elected to serve as chairman was Charlie Miller and John Stewart was re-elected to the position of Secretary.

Noting overlap between the Water District and the Wastewater District, Miller said that the Wastewater Committee should remain aware of what the impending Water District Capital Project is.

Noting that repairs to the Water District have been deferred for 20 years, Miller described work needed on the town wells, the pump house, water tank, and replacement of some water mains, including undersized mains affecting system pressure.

Given the impending water project, expected to cost up to $3.9 million, Miller saw a need to pause the wastewater project for up to a year, while continuing focus on two years of required groundwater testing and negotiating a site for the modern treatment facility. Both aspects are important to any grant application process.

Another goal to be pursued during the coming year is to find a person or mechanism from a board or committee to put together a fund that could support wastewater project costs.

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