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Ogdensburg deputy mayor wants independent review of proposed $39 million wastewater project

Posted 2/16/17

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG -- As Ogdensburg City Council waits for a final engineering report on its proposed $39 million wastewater facility project, Deputy Mayor Michael Morley says he wants a …

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Ogdensburg deputy mayor wants independent review of proposed $39 million wastewater project

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- As Ogdensburg City Council waits for a final engineering report on its proposed $39 million wastewater facility project, Deputy Mayor Michael Morley says he wants a second opinion.

On Monday Morley said he’d like to see an independent engineering report to ensure they city was making the right choices in rehabilitating its wastewater treatment plant.

The city has already hired GHD, an engineering and consulting firm, and partnered with the Development Authority of the North Country establish the most cost efficient way to address a host of problems at the 54 year old building.

Morley said he has reservations about investing nearly $40 million in half-century old building. He questioned if the city might be better off with a new facility and said an independent study would help alleviate those concerns.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson said she had confidence in DANC and GHD as well as Department of Public Works Director Scott Thornhill that the project was being properly vetted.

Thornhill, who also spoke to council Monday, said he and DANC employees have been working with GHD to develop the report. He said suggestions on how best to address the rehabilitation have come from himself, DANC and GHD.

Thornhill said that in the end all decisions will be made by council and the project will ideally be performed in phases, with the city tackling the most pressing issues first. Thornhill assured Morley that cost would be factored into all of the work.

Morley wasn’t alone in his concern. Councilor David Price also said he shared the deputy mayor’s concern. He said spending $40 million is a decision that will impact Ogdensburg residents for years to come. He also wanted to ensure that the plan is properly vetted.

Councilor Brian Mitchell was concerned with the time it might take for a new engineering firm to review the project or plan. He said guessed it would take a significant amount of time, which is a problem as some of the improvements needed at the facility are required to meet DEC deadlines.

Thornhill said hiring another firm would require both time and money. He suggested the council review the final report before making the decision. That report is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks.

The council took no action on the matter.

The massive price tag for the wastewater project 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. However, the city has made some improvements to address that issue.

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.

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