TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
WASTEWATER COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING ON APRIL 3, 2023
Present:
Committee Members: Peter Zamore, Chair; George Harwood, Clerk; Bob Buermann; Bob Krebs; Nate Hayward;
NRPC: Greta Brunswick; Dea Devlin;
DEC: Emily Hackett; Achouak Arfaoui; Bruce Douglas;
Otter Creek Engineering: Robert Clark
The chair called the meeting to order at 4:33 PM
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Peter reviewed the program status:
Selected 5 sites to evaluate from large group of locations. Four of the five landowners have agreed to allow soil sampling test pits and the other is in process. Next steps are archaeological review and approval for test pits. Soil sampling test pit results will be used to determine septic capacity and develop rough design proposals. The ‘60%’ project completion report to address preferred sites, rough cost, and financial viability is scheduled for July.
Discussion about funding sources for system implementation:
South Hero has been awarded $1.4M ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds from DEC (Vt Department of Environmental Conservation) to use towards final design, land purchase, and construction of village septic systems. There are additional grant opportunities one of which is a Northern Borders Regional Commission (NRBC) grant. The NRBC letter of interest is due April 21st and if accepted, a full application is due June 2nd. The DEC schedule related to ARPA fund requires land purchase before 2024, a bond vote by August 2024, final design and permitting by September 2024, and project completion by August 2026.
The committee discussed the timing of pursuing funding opportunities prior to the completion of the feasibility/preliminary engineering report. The NBRC grant should be applied for this spring to allow the the funds to be considered in a the bond vote, if the effort proceeds for full implementation. But there is a concern that if the town applies for more funds before the feasibility/preliminary design is complete, thus enabling residents to better understand the potential costs and potential impact to the village character, that the Selectboard and WW Committee will be perceived to be ignoring public opinions. The counter concern is that the town will lose the opportunities for NBRC funds.
Committee decided to bring the discussion to the next Selectboard meeting prior to applying for more funds.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM