NORWICH – City officials have accepted a New York State loan in the amount of $850,000 needed to replace two pumps that were badly damaged at the wastewater treatment plant by heavy flooding and debris in the aftermath of September’s storms.
The city applied for a no-interest loan through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) under its Hurricane Emergency Loan Program (HELP) to provide the necessary funding to follow through with work at the plant. This loan, according to city officials, can be reimbursed over the next five years by currently pending FEMA assistance and money from the city’s insurance company to help with the financial burden.
In October, the estimated cost of parts and repairs came with a price tag of $815,440, but an additional $34,881 is needed to cover other costs including electrical work, disposal of the existing pumps and extra financial flexibility in the event something goes wrong in the process – bringing the total cost to $850,321.
The damaged pumps have been in constant use for 20 years. Because of the age and extent of their use, they are not covered under any type of warranty. The city had the option of purchasing used, retrofit parts to refurbish the damaged pumps but saw it as more a disadvantage as used parts come without a warranty or guarantee, leading them to agree on the purchase of new.
Mayor Joseph Maiurano said the repairs at the plant are essential and can’t be held up by delay from FEMA and the insurance company.
“We can’t just wait for the grant money to come through,” Maiurano said. “You just never know how long that could take, whether it’s two months or two years.”
According to City Director of Finance William Roberts, paperwork for the loan was completed Wednesday and while it could take long time to get any other financial assistance, work at the wastewater treatment plant needs to be done sooner rather than later.
“The makeup of it is unique,” said Roberts, comparing the differences between damage done at the plant in September to similar damages caused by flooding in 2006. “We’ve submitted a lot of details to both FEMA and our insurance carrier ... They are just taking time to sort through that and look at some of the details.”
Even with the funding, work to replace the massive pumps at the plant will still take several months to begin, said Public Works Superintendent Carl Ivarson. With a 28-week delivery rate, the new equipment will not arrive until late summer or early fall.
“This is all just part of what can happen,” Maiurano said. “We’re lucky we didn’t have as much flooding as other areas ... We have the capacity to do a lot in this area,” he added, emphasizing the importance of clean water for businesses. “A good water system is great for the economic development and keeping that plant up to speed is vital to the whole area.”