DEC Ruling Complicates Sewer Project
By Doug La Rocque
At a meeting last week between all parties involved with the sewer project at Superior, Lyman and Water Streets in the village, The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) informed Mayor Rob Allen, that any groundwater that is exposed due to the construction, must be considered as contaminated water, and properly treated, before it can be disposed off. The same applies to any soil saturated with groundwater.
As a result of this, at its special meeting on Monday, April 29, the Village Board voted to retain Sterling Environmental Engineering as a consultant for the project, in the likelihood any such contaminants come into play. MRB Engineering, the architectural firm in charge of the sewer project, informed Mayor Allen, that “this was out of their wheelhouse,” and recommended Sterling.
Because of the nature and timing of these developments, Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist informed the trustees, this could be considered an emergency, and would not have to be put out to bid. Timing is of the essence, as work at the site is scheduled to resume next week.
If there is a silver lining to all this, it is, according to Attorney Gilchrist, that Honeywell, the source of the PFOA and contamination, has agreed to pay all costs incurred over and above the original sewer project expenses and as they relate to the DEC order. The agreement is verbal at this point, but Mr. Gilchrist feels it will be in writing soon.
Other Meeting Developments
The Trustees voted to continue the village’s contribution to American Legion Post 40, the monies help to defray the cost of their Memorial Day Parade and celebration. They approved a request for bids for a tractor for the Waste Water Treatment Plant, and agreed to allow the use of the gazebo at Wood Park on July 21, for two village residents to marry.