"We need to create an infrastructure for industrial growth," Economic Devel­opment Commission Chairman Frank Wargo told the Town Council Monday night before the legislative body approved the appropriation, which will be revenue neutral to the general taxpayers, and set a special town meeting for Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. in the John Pettibone School cafeteria on the project.
"Most people understand that something needs to be done because of the environmental issues," Mayor Patricia Murphy said in an interview regarding the project. It will automatically go to referendum Aug. 18 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the usual polling places.
"I think people are concerned about the aquifer and about keeping the environment safe," she said, noting that there is improved technology that would be installed that would upgrade the facility, which was last renovated 22 years ago.
Council member Ray O'Brien commended the Sewer Commission, led by Chairman John Heaton, for its work in bringing the construction phase of the project in about $8 million under the projected costs.
This spring, the Sewer Commission selected Carlin Contracting of Waterford for the construction for the project, with a bid of $21,780,000.
The commission had an­­ticipated a price tag of $29,700,000 when it provided a progress report April 27 to the Town Council.
Municipal consultant Steve Siegel of Camp Dresser & McKee Inc., which has an office in Wethersfield, told the Town Council at that time that estimates indicated that it would receive $8.5 million in federal economic stimulus funds for the project from the $787 billion package that President Barack Obama signed in February.
He said at that time that the town would likely receive $1 million in congressional-directed grants, up to $9.5 million in other grants and state loans of $27.5 million at 2 percent interest.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R-Brookfield) stated in a news release that was distributed in late April that the state projects making $33,800,000 available in funds and loans for the project.
"New Milford has done very well in getting a big chunk of money for this project," Ms. Murphy said.
"That state money wasn't in our sights a year or two ago," Mr. Heaton said. "This is the most opportune time for this project to be undertaken."
The Sewer Commission chairman attributed the lower-than-anticipated bids to the eagerness of companies to do work in a sluggish economy.
The town will be seeking a $30 million appropriation for a project that as recently as April had been targeted at $37,051,000.
Mr. Heaton has said that he believes that any appropriations approved by the voters would be revenue neutral to the general taxpayers, since the remaining costs would be paid over time through user fees.
He said in an interview that if the project is approved next month it will take roughly two-and-a-half years to complete, meaning that it would stretch into at least 2012.
Mr. Heaton said the first facilities plan for the project was initiated in 2001 and that the town approved $2,550,000 in February 2007 for preliminary design work.
Ms. Murphy said that economic development along the Route 7 corridor and the projected growth at New Milford Hospital alone would boost the capacity over the coming years.
"The businesses want the proper infrastructure," council member Pete Bass said.
Council Vice Chairman Roger Szendy has said that sewer pipes were installed along Route 7 before the recent improvements were made to the existing road so that it wouldn't have to be excavated after the new pavement was installed.
He has said that was done in anticipation of the need for further sewer capacity by commercial and industrial users.
Mr. Siegel has said that the current flow of 729,000 gallons a day, which increases to 867,000 gallons per day during the wet weather periods, would go up to an estimated 1,930,000 gallons per day at the West Street facility within 20 years.
"To grow as a town, you have to have the infrastructure in place," Mr. Wargo said. "Right now we don't have that, because we don't have the capacity.
"We have a lot of things going for us," he said. "We have a great school system, we're fixing our roads. But some of our infrastructure needs to be addressed."
Mr. Wargo said that issues regarding the potential of "high-density" development as a result of making sewer lines available could "be resolved through the land-use commissions."
"The public probably wants and needs more information," Ms. Murphy said regarding the need to generate support for the wastewater plant project, which is scheduled to go to referendum next month.