Vergennes studying sewer tap-on fees

With a complete overhaul of its sewer system scheduled over the next few years, what should Vergennes charge homeowners and developers to connect to the system?

All signs point to Middlebury residents voting on a proposed $49.5 million makeover of their town’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) this coming March. It’s an outlay that would improve the plant’s ability to process biosolids (sludge), as well as pay fo … (read more)

Middlebury’s aging wastewater treatment plant will require an investment of around $28 million to repair and update much of its aging equipment and infrastructure, according to a consultant who’s helping the town design upgrades aimed at extending the fac … (read more)

The Vergennes City Council last week addressed one of the trickier elements of the expensive ongoing effort to stop the city’s wastewater and sewer collection system from overflowing into Otter Creek — the many sump pumps that swing into action during hea … (read more)

Public works head Jim Larrow said the deteriorated sewer pipe is 22 feet underground and there is bedrock in the area, and digging it up to replace it is not feasible. 

A consultant has estimated that Middlebury’s sewage treatment plant needs upwards of $18 million in upgrades if it’s to meet the community’s wastewater disposal needs during the coming 20 years. 

The cost to overhaul the Vergennes sewer collection and treatment system could end up being as much as 33% higher than estimated on the Town Meeting Day ballot, City Manager Ron Redmond and Hoyle & Tanner and Associates Project Manager Jennie Auster told … (read more)

Officials from the Rural Development arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have formally unveiled the $17.5 million package of a grant and long-term loan that Vergennes will receive to help fund the $25.5 million overhaul of the city’s sewer system.

USDA officials will be in Vergennes on Thursday afternoon to make official the federal government’s $17.5 million contribution toward the city sewer system’s upcoming $25.5 million overhaul.

The feds will cover more of the $25.5 million city sewer upgrade than perviously expected.

The passage on Town Meeting Day of the Little City’s $25.5 million bond to finance a new city wastewater treatment facility is more than good news for Vergennes.

I am feeling grateful to the fine citizens of Vergennes and their leaders for passing the bond for upgrading the community sewer system.

Vergennes residents on Tuesday strongly backed spending up to $25.5 million — with an expectation of major outside government funding — for a complete overhaul of the city’s failing and aging sewer collection system and treatment plant.

Vergennes residents have known for a long time they need to replace their city’s antiquated wastewater treatment facility.

Vergennes officials are asking voters on March 1 to support spending up to $25.5 million for a complete overhaul of the city’s failing and aging sewer collection system and treatment plant.