ELIZABETHTOWN — Attempts to provide a wastewater system in the hamlet of Elizabethtown for almost 60 years may be nearing a conclusion as the latest information was presented in a recent meeting.
Elizabethtown Town Supervisor Cathleen A. Reusser said, “This has been a very long process dating back to 1966. This has been something the town has desired to do but has never seemed to get it to fruition. We are probably at the right time to get this project done.
“My focus is to pursue as many low-interest loans as possible. There’s a lot of detail that goes into this project. Most of us don’t know what the current conditions are in the ground. We have concerns about water quality.”
Reusser pointed out that there are landowners with outdated systems and for individual homeowners to replace them would run $20,000 or more, which be an economic hardship.
FACTS
Michael Martin, Senior Environmental Scientist/Project Manager and Gregory Swart Senior Engineer for Suozzo, Doty & Associates provided facts on the current conditions and the proposed system.
Martin imparted data on maps showing water quality at different locations as well as properties which in many cases have systems dating back to the 1880s, which most likely do not comply with Essex County Board of Health and state Department of Environmental Conservation standards.
A brief history of the current effort for a wastewater system is as follows: 2010 Sewer District #1 established; 2017 Bond Resolution: 2023 Increase of Bond Resolution; 2024 Revised Facilities Plan; 2025 Revised Preliminary Engineering Report and Bond Resolution Update.
The Town explored as many options as possible to find the most desirable location for a town wastewater effluent location. Among the factors taken into consideration were groundwater disposal and the best surface water disposal locations.
The condition and problems with existing septic systems was investigated with testing per the request of the funding agencies. This was followed by completing these reports and preparations for grant applications. Town representatives met with state representatives and the governor’s office to maximize grant funding, thus minimizing the costs to residents.
A survey of the town indicated 281 parcels in the Sewer District of which 35 are vacant. Of these, 83% of the septic systems were constructed between 1880 and 1976. A further breakdown shows 233 individual on-site systems and 11 commercial or municipal on-site systems. Since 2019, there have been six new systems and nine that were repaired.
Many systems do not meet current design standards due to inadequate treatment area and lack of replacement area. 135 parcels (48%) are on parcels of a half acre or less. Inadequate setbacks from wetlands or streams pose another problem.
Testing to detect the leaching of bacteria and chemicals was conducted at The Branch, Barton Brook, and the Boquet River above and below the hamlet. Results showed fecal coliform bacteria, E. coli, chloride, and nitrates were all higher downstream compared to upstream.
The lack of a wastewater system has economic implications. Among these are a reduction in available and new housing, impacts on municipal, institutional and commercial staffing and growth, and a limited expansion of existing or the creation of new businesses and institutions.
The intended two-building system includes a sequencing batch reactor with a capacity of 150,000 gallons per day. Among its parts are a mechanical fine screen, grit removal, tertiary disc filtration for phosphorus removal, a UV disinfection system, aerobic digesters for solids management, and three reed beds to treat waste sludge.
The collection system consists of gravity mains and sewer laterals to homes as well as commercial and municipal users. There will be five main pump stations and approximately 15 grinder pump stations.
SITE
The projected building site is the Cobble Hill Golf Course behind the maintenance shed. Several locations for the outfall (the point or location where a sewer, drain, or stream discharges); most likely along the Boquet River are being considered. The expected outfall will result in a reduction of phosphorus and bacteria entering the Boquet River than what is currently entering from septic systems.
A construction cost estimate is $30,878,815, plus a soft cost estimate of $6,210,100 brings the total project cost to $37,088,915. Total anticipated grants amount to $30,566,686. Anticipated long term 0% interest loans are $6,522,228, long term 30-year loans with 0% interest are expected to cost each equivalent dwelling unit a debt change of $504 per year.
The state average is around $700 per year.
Next steps: The Town Board will consider resolutions regarding the environmental permitting process which is the first step in any grant application process. The board will then consider a resolution to increase the bond resolution to adjust the project costs to meet current estimates.
The bond resolution will be for the maximum estimated project costs; not including grants. The town will use the obtained data to apply as many grants as possible to minimize the cost to the Town residents.
Planning and designing are ongoing to serve as a means to improve the town’s chances of securing grants. The town is balancing that need without over-committing funds to the project’s final design, bidding, and construction.
Design will begin in earnest once grants start to be secured. The schedule for construction will be better known once the grants are known.
A question and answer session followed the presentation.
David Reinmann had concerns about the, “integrity of the system,” should there be flooding. Martin replied that the new, more advanced technology should protect it.
Questions arose concerning the depositing of water into the Boquet River to which was pointed out will be considerably safer with both bacterial and chemical content than it is now.
Boquet River Association Executive Director Colin Powers implored citizens to seek out the facts and not rely on social media or word of mouth.
Specific information including maps can be accessed at the Elizabethtown Town Hall (Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and by going to: https://etownwastewater.wordpress.com
The Wastewater Committee meets regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. The next Elizabethtown Board meeting is scheduled in the Town Hall on April 16, at 7 p.m.
Email Alvin Reiner at: rondackrambler@gmail.com