Commissioners review $10.75 million bond authorization for wastewater solids dewatering upgrades

City staff told commissioners the commission will consider a bond ordinance to increase appropriations for solids dewatering upgrades at the city's wastewater treatment plant, authorizing up to $10,750,000 in general obligation bonds or notes.

The staff presentation said the work replaces an earlier 2022 bond ordinance and is intended to modernize aging equipment. “The big risk here is the equipment that needs to be replaced,” a staff presenter said, adding that if the current equipment fails the city could face roughly $20,000 per day in manual processing costs.

Staff stressed the timetable is contingent on securing an air permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; if a shovel is not in the ground by the end of November, staff said the project would need to restart permitting and could be delayed at least six months.

Commissioners asked for additional technical detail and staff said they would circulate more information. The item remains before the commission as a bond ordinance and will return for final action after required procedural steps, including any DEP approvals and further engineering review.