Clinton Again Addresses Sewer Study Concerns

With people filling all the chairs, standing along the walls and crowding in the hallway at Lumbard Hall, the Clinton Village Board again heard how a study on options for the Wastewater Treatment Plant has opposition.

Before the public spoke Mayor Elizabeth Tantillo reviewed some facts about the WW Treatment Plant, which is almost 50 years old.

Some of the sewage treated becomes clean enough water to go into the creek, while the sludge is taken to the landfill in Ava.

Tantillo said the Plant, which is owned by the Village, continues to operate without problems.

In 1970 the Clinton Sewer Service Area was formed to include the Town of Kirkland and Hamilton College, which are customers of the system.

The agreement was updated in 2016 and provides a method for sharing the costs of operating the Plant equally.

Tantillo said the CSSA is not a governing body. Months ago the CSSA agreed to explore options for if and when the sewer plant needs work and upgrades.

It was agreed, Tantillo said, to discuss options with a company about the idea of turning the plant into a regional facility.

That would generate revenue for the cost of operations.

The Village Board received a draft report of that idea, Tantillo said, and will share it with the CSSA. “No decisions have been made," she said, "or can’t until the report is sent to the DEC. This is in the exploration stage.’’

Tantillo said everyone involved has the well-being of the Village in mind. "There will never be a plant that will cause harm.’’

She said the Village Board has a responsibility to explore options.

Each person who spoke had three minutes and could speak once during the comment portion.

Although 30 minutes was designated for the public comments, people spoke for close to an hour.

Some people who spoke said according to the state’s Committee on Open Government, the CSSA is a public body subject to the same laws as municipal boards.

Karen Scott asked the board to comply with that, which includes open ...