08/22/2022 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

On August 4th, I watched the Sewer Commission meeting where the Interim Town Engineer, Ray Jack, presented a revised Phase 2 map and this article will give the Board the funds to do preliminary design when it settles on the study scope without having to wait until the spring. While a delay to May appears short — it will most likely result in missing another full year of SRF fund eligibility. Without design complete to a point where cost estimates can be provided for planning and construction the town would likely miss the August 2023 application deadline for SRF funds, making construction of Phase 2 delayed even further. We all know the, estuaries, bays and ponds are getting worse. We know we need to act, we know sewering is the critical solution. We need these funds approved so we can keep things moving forward even as we learn more about the specific needs of each water body. The DEP's presentation on July 111" made it very clear that pressure on towns in coming — we have the ability and the desire to press that accelerator (as Mr. Collins like to say) and stay on track. Clearly, I've learned over the last year that projects of this size and scope have many moving parts, delays are inevitable. That said, design is the phase of a project that takes the most time, we need to begin the design of Phase 2 as soon as possible, even without all the answers, or we will exponentially delay our wastewater efforts at a time when the pressure builds and our waters are screaming for help. Thank You.