HUDSON – Cost estimates for the second phase of Hudson’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade are significantly higher than previously anticipated, Department of Public Works Director Eric Ryder told the town’s Select Board last month.
Speaking on June 6, Ryder said that these cost estimates had increased by roughly $6.6 million because of supply chain issues.
Ryder said that the DPW’s intent is to rebid the project at the end of October. It then hopes to have a new figure on this year’s October Town Meeting warrant.
“I hate to go in and say, ‘We need $6 million’ and [have the bid] come in at $7.2,” Ryder said. “I don’t want to have to do that.”
Efforts at Hudson’s wastewater treatment plant are looking to replace aging equipment while renovating aspects of the facility.
They come as the town has already raised its water and sewer rates this year, with the Select Board approving an 18% water rate increase and an 11% sewer rate increase in the same June 6 meeting where it heard from Ryder.
The wastewater treatment plant and town efforts toward PFAS pollutant mitigation drove those increases, according to Executive Assistant Thomas Gregory.
Gregory subsequently told the Community Advocate that water and sewer rates would likely increase further as a result of wastewater treatment plant rebidding in October.
Ryder said on June 6 that there were benefits with the project, including its status as a State Revolving Fund project with a low interest rate and additional ARPA funding principal forgiveness.
He also said that the State Revolving Fund, which is part of the state Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to carry the additional costs in their loan approval, which would also increase principal forgiveness. He said this could potentially also increase in terms of ARPA as well.
The rebidding will push the project back by between 6 and 8 months.
Once Hudson decides on a contractor, the project is expected to take two years to complete.
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