WESTPORT — The New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. joined with Westport in celebrating the completion of a $3.1 million infrastructure improvement project Wednesday.
The improvements are intended to protect public health and the environment, as well as preserve Lake Champlain’s role as a vital driver of the local tourism economy. In addition, the more than $3 million in grants and interest-free financing will help make the project affordable for local ratepayers.
Prior to cutting the ceremonial ribbon Wednesday, several speakers involved with the project and funding discussed the advantages to the town.
I want to thank the people who worked really hard on this project,” Westport Town Supervisor Michael “Ike” Tyler said. “This helps to keep our taxes down.”
President and CEO of NYSEFC Maureen A. Coleman thanked N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul for her efforts and reiterated how the project will continue efforts to keep Lake Champlain clean as well as provide relief to the ratepayers.
“We need to make sure places such as Lake Champlain are kept as amazing resources,” Coleman said. “We are celebrating these investments as the federal government is walking away from these programs.”
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton also expressed how the funding saves residents in small towns who often struggle with debt services.
“On behalf of Gov. Hochul, I congratulate the town of Westport and Ike Tyler for his leadership,” she said. “Often projects like these don’t happen until there is a problem. Westport was proactive in avoiding breaks.”
She associated wastewater improvement projects such as this with protecting the natural environment.
Among the infrastructure needs which were deemed “critical” were deteriorated pipes and manholes, which allowed excessive storm water and groundwater to infiltrate the Wastewater collection system. The excess flow strained the wastewater treatment plant as well as threatened the local watershed.
The project lined and replaced the deteriorated gravity sewers and manholes.
The grant and interest-free financing included a $1.9 million Water Quality Improvement Grant; a $100,000 Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Grant; a $309,000 Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant; and a $928,000 interest-free hardship financing from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
The financial assistance through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund saves local ratepayers over $1.3 million in debt service compared to traditional financing.