The Barton Village Board of Trustees convened a special meeting Tuesday to consider options for a major upgrade to the wastewater treatment facility after learning that a key funding source would not cover a planned third lagoon.
Mike Mainer, a consultant with Aldrich and Elliott, told trustees that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the primary funder of the $10 million project, would not allow money for the third lagoon because the proposed site lies in a newly mapped wetland. The lagoon was expected to cost $3.25 million.
“It could be a lot worse,” Mainer said, noting that other funding sources may be available, including a possible $1 million grant and Rural Enterprise Action Plans (REAP) funds.
The upgrade is required by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to bring the plant into compliance. Without full USDA support, trustees face the choice of finding alternative funding or bonding the remaining cost, which would be passed to ratepayers.
Chief wastewater plant officer Jeremiah Borsoi also participated in the meeting. The trustees had three upgrade options to consider. The outcome of their decision was not immediately reported.
Originally reported by Newport Daily Express.
Photo: Vladimir Srajber via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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