The Wiscasset Select Board held a special meeting Thursday, Nov. 9 to discuss issues regarding the future of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. William Olver, of Olver Associates Inc., a civil engineering firm based in Winterport, gave the board a 25-minute presentation on the issues and potential costs facing the town as Wiscasset officials considering relocating the plant or updating the aging facility in its current location at 69 Water St.

According to Olver, Maine Department of Environmental Protection does not support upgrading the present treatment plant and believes that it should be relocated. The DEP has indicated it would support the town’s efforts in looking for additional funding for a relocation project, which is important as outside funding sources are competitive and the town would need evidence of DEP support.

Presenting the options with 2022 figures, Olver outlined three possible solutions: upgrading the existing plant for an estimated cost of $32,070,000; relocating the plant to Mason Station for an estimated $46,070,000; or moving it to Federal Street for an estimated $55,070,000. Another suggested site is the town’s public works garage. The garage being in poor condition and in need of replacement in the future, it may be a less controversial option, according to Olver.

Whatever the town decides, costs are increasing, outside grant and/or loan funding will be needed, and time is the essence for the board to decide on a location, Olver said.

Wiscasset Selectboard Chair Sarah Whitfield suggested it makes no sense to take any options off the table and to work with DEP in helping the town. Selectboard member William Maloney suggested upgrading the plant in its current location. Responding to Maloney, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Rob Lalli said the building is in good condition but many of the mechanical systems are aging, and the current plant may not be able to handle stringent requirements in the future.

Town Manager Dennis Simmons told the selectboard the town also has the option of turning the responsibility for water and sewer over to a utility district. The board tabled the concept for further discussion at a future date.

The board did not reach a decision last week, saying further research is needed.

According to information provided by Olver, the Wiscasset Wastewater Treatment Plant infrastructure consists of 15 miles of sewer pipe and 18 wastewater pumping stations, serving 810 customers, or almost 29% of Wiscasset’s total population. The current wastewater treatment plant was built in 1964 and has been upgraded twice, in 1982 and again in 1992.

This article appears through a content-sharing agreement with the Lincoln County News.