SHELBURNE, Vt. (WCAX) – Shelburne residents will get to vote on what will become the largest infrastructure investment the town has ever made — the consolidation of its two waste water facilities at Crown Rd. and Turtle Rd.
The town will vote in November on a bond to produce one larger plant on Crown Rd.
The town of Shelburne’s Water Quality Superintendent Chris Robinson says its two facilities need a facelift.
“Two facilities in a small town like this is a huge financial burden, trying to consolidate to one location will be way more sustainable in the future,” Robinson said.
Robinson says a lot of the facilities have already reached their life expectancy – and while they were looking to update their equipment – they found it was the perfect time to consolidate both facilities.
“Look at our regular facility, double everyting all that doubling goes away,” Robinson said.
Robinson says consolidation is the most affordable option – while also not affecting the facility’s capacity to operate at the same level.
“This facility will be updated in size to handle the flows that are coming in from both facilities but we’LL also be sizing them large enough for future growth of the time for the next 20-30 years,” Robinson said.
He says with such a big plan – he wanted to leave space for future upgrades.
“I like to look out where do we want to be in 100 years,” Robinson said.
Because Shelburne is a fairly small town with two waste water facilities, people who live there pay more than those in surrounding towns – and even some of the highest rates in the state.
The consolidation could help change that.
“Overtime we will see our rates come down or at least remain the same as surrounding communities are increasing their rates so where we can be at a more competitive level,” Robinson said.
Shelburne Town Manager Matt Lawless says the upgrade will support more than just the facilities themselves.
“It helps us take care of our environment, support investment in affordable housing and take care of anchor employers the solidify our economy here,” Lawless said.
Big employers like Wake Robin and Fiddlehead – who rely on the treatment plant to do business and provide essential services to the town.
And also potential new businesses looking to move into Shelburne.
“For any business looking around the state or around the country looking for a place to invest in, Shelburne needs to be on the map in this type of capacity,” Lawless said.
Lawless and Robinson say they know residents are going to have questions — they’ll have final answers on the cost of the project by the end of the summer.
Residents are expected to vote on this plan in November and the town will give them all the details and information they need before they go to that vote.