By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg City Council approved a resolution that will allow the city manager to borrow up to $39.1 million to address a host of issues at the wastewater treatment plant.

Council approved the resolution at special meeting Monday after consultants from GHD gave the grim news to the city last week.

The city is already struggling fiscally and recently raised property taxes by more than 13 percent and new plans from the governor would tie state aid to a shared services plan with the state, potentially putting $1.7 million at risk.

The massive price tag includes a total overhaul of the plant, which has components that have long exceeded their lifespan according to GHD consultants.

Equipment in the facility is 40 to 50 years old and is becoming costly to maintain and dangerous for staff and the city in general, according to consultants.

Among the plants many problems is a digester that is not producing the gas byproduct that would normally be used to produce heat and provide a cost savings.

The city is also using chlorine gas to treat its wastewater, a method that has gone by the wayside at most sewer plants due to its volatility and high risk for creating an emergency situation that could affect city residents in a 1.2 mile radius should something go wrong.

Three of the city’s six pump stations are in dire need of upgrades and repairs.

The city has also had nearly 20 violations of non-compliance with its State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, which consultants say is likely lead to legal action from the state.

Although not explicitly stated in the resolution, the city took action on an agreement with Attorney Andrew W. Silver for “various legal matters related to the Ogdensburg Waste Water Treatment System Improvement Project.

The improvements to the plant are expected to have a 30-year life span.