With the old waste water treatment plant in bad shape, Nackawic council looking for ways to move ahead with costly upgrade

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The rising cost of the town's waste water treatment plant upgrade is putting the squeeze on Nackawic's budget and its new town council.

The project – which won funding approval through the Canada-New Brunswick Infrastructure Program – was originally estimated to cost just under $2 million to be equally divided between the three levels of government.

The town's share of $679,000 was approved in this year's budget.

Unfortunately, the only response to the town's tender call to build the plant came in approximately $60,000 higher than the town's anticipated costs.

"It's hard to squeeze another $60,000 out of the budget," said newly elected Mayor Rowena Simpson.

During an in-camera committee-of-the-whole meeting held following Monday's regular council session, Mayor Simpson told the Bugle-Observer the town's public works supervisor Tim Cluff recommended council find a way to complete the project.

"He told council the waster water treatment plant was in really bad shape and the work needed to be done," Simpson said.

The mayor noted the current treatment plant dates back well over 30 years.

She said council reviewed several options to deal with the cost overrun, including a return to the federal and provincial governments asking each pick up one-third of the cost. The mayor said the town can handle an extra $20,000.

The mayor said Cluff, after consultation with Fredericton engineering consultants ADI, said the project could go ahead immediately with a few cutbacks.

"The UV (ultra violet system) can be installed at a later date," Simpson explained.

She added the extra blower could also be installed after council includes the costs in a future budget.

However it is accomplished, Mayor Simpson said, council agreed the waste water treatment plant must go ahead. She said Cluff convinced them the status quo will not suffice.

"He said we can't go on with it the way it is."