Millerton wastewater project targets 2027 start date

MILLERTON — Construction on Millerton’s long-awaited wastewater system could begin in early 2027 and wrap up by the spring of 2028, according to an update delivered at the Village Board’s Sept. 9 workshop meeting.

The presentation — led by Erin Moore of Tighe & Bond, an engineering and environmental consulting firm — outlined the timeline, design, and costs of the project, which is a joint initiative with the Town of North East.

For the town, the service area will include the Boulevard, an area officials see as key to future development. For the village, the system will serve multiple parcels stretching from Main Street up to Century Boulevard and including side streets down to South Center Street.

“There has been a lot happening, and it’s really exciting,” Moore said as she detailed how the system would function, what it would cost and how it would be paid for.

The plan calls for a step-system, which uses small septic tanks and pumps to carry wastewater from individual homes and businesses to a new treatment plant on a village-owned parcel off Mill Street.

While homeowners will pay the electricity to run the pumps, which Moore describes as an “incredibly efficient system and operates infrequently,” the village will be responsible for installing and maintaining the equipment through permanent easements. An added benefit for residents, Moore noted, is that replacing traditional septic fields could free up outdoor space, potentially allowing for development on previously protected leach fields.

The total project cost is estimated at $13 million, which includes construction, engineering, contingency and legal fees.

The village’s share is about $10.8 million, with annual operations and maintenance projected at $144,000.

Funding to date includes $200,000 from a Dutchess County Municipal Investment Grant, nearly $960,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency secured through Congressman Pat Ryan, and just over $5 million from the New York Environmental Facilities Corporation.

A zero-percent interest loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will cover about 30% of the remaining balance, leaving roughly $5.7 million still to be secured.

Moore said the next step is for trustees to finalize and sign the engineering contract, which will unlock the remaining EPA funding. Board members have been asked to submit final questions within the week so the contract can move forward. The NYSEFC funding also requires a short list of outstanding items before it can be closed.

Over the past two years, house-to-house investigations and individual conversations with residents have taken place, surveys have gone out, and geotechnical testing have been completed across the service area.

Moore said that once the final authorization is given — conservatively estimated by January 2026 — the design should be finished within a year, and construction within a year after that.

“We have a great team that is really excited and ready,” she said.

In addition to the existing grants, the village and town are preparing to pursue new funding opportunities. As announced at a recent Town of North East board meeting, the municipalities are in talks to apply jointly for the state’s New York Forward program, a competitive grant which offers two $4.5 million awards for small communities. Town Supervisor Chris Kennan and Village Mayor Jenn Najdek said the wastewater project would be the focus of their application, which is due next month.