According to Valley News reporter Pete DeMola the Willsboro wastewater system faces an impending crisis. An in-depth article, “Willsboro’s sewer system is facing a crisis — several of them“, posted this morning, examined the complex, multi prong dilemma facing Willsboro Town Supervisor Shaun Gillilland.

Funding a $1.5 Million Upgrade

A DEC noncompliance consent order necessitates a $1.5 million upgrade to the Willsboro wastewater treatment plant, but funding foibles are challenging Supervisor Gillilland. Although potentially eligible for state/federal assistance to offset the hefty price tag, Willsboro’s current US Census data is apparently inaccurate. Willsboro mailed a survey to wastewater district users in an effort to demonstrate that the town should qualify for “hardship funding”, but insufficient surveys were returned.

[Absent a] 75 percent response rate, the town will not be able to apply for hardship funding. And the annual rate, which at $582, is already over the target service charge, will roughly double. Raising the rates would have a massive impact on the taxpayers within the district, who are primarily working class families. (Source: Pete DeMola, “Willsboro’s sewer system is facing a crisis — several of them“, Valley News)

Holding a Hero Hostage

A concurrent challenge involves Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Murphy. Hailed as a hero in 2013 when he helped respond to “a series of emergencies [that] knocked the system out of line”, Murphy has been hindered from upgrading his operator’s license. Prior to the 2103 emergency Murphy was qualified to operate the Willsboro wastewater treatment plant with a Grade 2 Sewage Treatment Operator. But the  system was adapted into an “activated sludge system” in order to remain operational, and that necessitates a Grade 2A license.

According to Gillilland, the state told the town that if Murphy would apprentice with a qualified operator for one year and took a class, then he would be allowed to take the exam that would qualify him for Grade 2A status. (Source: Pete DeMola, “Willsboro’s sewer system is facing a crisis — several of them“, Valley News)

But the DEC’s consent order shifted the playing field. Murphy has been prevented from taking the Grade 2A examination.

“They’re holding the hero hostage in his career progression for a consent order,” said Gillilland… “This was a catastrophic material casualty that was saved from disaster. We need help to recover, not punished. Plant operators should be treated fairly.” (Source: Pete DeMola, “Willsboro’s sewer system is facing a crisis — several of them“, Valley News)

Evidently the DEC is endeavoring to resolve the problem, but stalling Murphy’s certification has compounded Supervisor Gillilland’s already onerous task of updating the treatment plant’s aging infrastructure.

Fortitude, Forbearance & Encouragement

Our own Essex wastewater journey remains fresh in residents’ collective memory. The gargantuan scope, endless timeline, funding foibles, debate, consensus, setbacks, messy-noisy-construction,… But in the end, our community breathed a sigh of relief. And hopefully a few of us remember to thank those who made it possible.

So I assure you, Willsboro, no schadenfreude from your Essex neighbors, just loads of sympathy and encouragement. Good luck, Supervisor Gillilland! We’re rooting for you.

Related articles

• Town of Essex Wins Excellence in Design Award (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Willsboro, Essex Discuss Solutions to Emergency Services Dilemma (Valley News) (denpubs.com)