A sparsely attended Wastewater Management Project committee meeting was held via Zoom during the recent nor’easter March 14.
With most committee members unable to attend on account of widespread power outages, Stephen McDonnell of WMC Consulting Engineers gave a brief update on the project.
According to McDonnell, the next item WMC is pursuing on behalf of the town is an environmental report, a requirement for Cornwall to begin to access the $3 million in federal grant funds. WMC is working with Eagle Environmental of Terryville to prepare the report, which McDonnell says should take approximately two months to complete.
The year-long design process can only begin after the environmental report is done. First Selectman Gordon Ridgway admitted that the project timetable has slipped a bit, but McDonnell believes that WMC can make up that time during the design phase. After the design is finalized, it’s currently estimated that it will take another year to construct the system.
In the meantime, McDonnell plans to have WMC do test boring at the proposed site of the system in the parking lot of 3 Guys Ski & Ride in West Cornwall. According to McDonnell, “this will help determine if there are any special circumstances that merit further review that might impact the project schedule and or cost.” Ridgway added, “once the site passes muster, a financial arrangement must be struck with the owners.”
It seems as though the original estimate for a first flush in 2024, while still possible, might have been a bit optimistic. The Chronicle will continue to provide updates on this dynamic project as they become available.
—Bob Meyers
