By Katie Farrell Lovett
Staff writer
—
NEWBURYPORT — It's not every day that city and state leaders are eager to visit the wastewater treatment facility.
But yesterday was an exception.
"This is a very exciting day for the city," said Mayor Donna Holaday, as she hosted the ground-breaking ceremony to begin the improvement project to the aging, failing plant before an audience that included Ward 1 City Councilor Allison Heartquist and neighbors of the plant on Water Street.
Joined by Congressman John Tierney, state Sen. Steve Baddour, D-Methuen, state Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, and Rosemary Powers of Mass. Department of Environmental Protection, Holaday outlined the impact the improvements will have on the city — from reducing the carbon footprint to further odor control and improving the water quality in the Merrimack River. The new buildings will host solar panels, while LEED materials will make the facility more efficient and effective, she said.
The mayor praised the efforts to secure $14.6 million in State Revolving Funds low-interest loans and federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help in the upgrade project.
Newburyport is getting $4.1 million in principal loan forgiveness from the state, Holaday said.
State leaders hailed the project as a "win-win" for everyone and the collaboration of government at all levels.
ARRA is an opportunity for the government to help local communities meet the Clean Water Act, while creating 4,000 new jobs, Tierney said.
Baddour called the plant project "a great example" of federal, state and local government "coming together." The upgrades will make a huge difference in the community, he said.
"This is just going to make the river so much cleaner," Costello said.
The mayor, along with Sewer Commission chairman Dave Hanlon, lauded Joe Dugan, chief operator for the sewer plant, for his efforts to keep running the aging plant.
"Joe, you've weathered a huge storm down here," Hanlon said, crediting the staff of the plant for keeping it operational without falling into violations.
Hanlon thanked Tierney for his work on creating the stimulus funds. "John, thank you for your vote on the stimulus bill," he said. "That was the beginning."
Through the efforts of many, Newburyport was at the top of the list to receive the highly competitive funds, Hanlon said.
Jeanette Isabella, of Lime Street, was one of several neighbors invited to attend the ceremony.
"This is going to enhance the whole neighborhood," she said. With the creation of a park area by the end of the project, the neighbors will have a nice walk to the river in a well-lit area, she said.
Rosemary Powers, chief of staff of DEP, told the group that the Patrick-Murray administration has awarded "hundreds of millions of dollars" for infrastructure improvements in local communities. This spring, cities and towns are breaking ground on 111 drinking water and wastewater projects, worth $770 million, Powers said.
These projects are good for the environment and the economy, she said.
The project is expected to be finished in late 2012.
Track the project
A website has been created for residents to stay updated on the progress of the improvement project. It can be accessed from the city's website, www.cityofnewburyport.com, and clicking on the link Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade Project.
