The Detroit News
Irvin L. Jackson The Detroit News
December 10, 2000
BRIGHTON — City officials will seek a $9 million bond to expand a wastewater treatment plant in Hamburg Township.
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to solicit bids and pursue a bond for the expansion of the plant. The decision came after an administrative law judge with the state Department of Environmental Quality approved the city's expansion permit.
Hamburg Township officials have said they will appeal the decision.
They don't want the plant expanded because they believe it will generate additional nitrates and phosphorous, as well as erosion, along the South Ore Creek. Brighton's planned expansion would increase the site's capacity from 1.5 million gallons per day to 2.5 million.
Hamburg Township challenged the permit given to Brighton by the DEQ last year. Just last month, Administrative Law Judge Richard LaCasse rendered an opinion in favor of Brighton and the DEQ, allowing the permit to stand.
Councilman Richard Gienapp said it is important to move forward with the expansion as soon as possible, now that the permit was securely in hand.
"Given the amount of time it will take to complete the project, we are at the risk of running out of capacity," Gienapp said. "We just don't see any reason to do anything but move forward."
Gienapp said the project needs to be bid out by February to keep the expansion on schedule. The project is expected to take about two years. The city expects to reach its full sewer capacity in two years and eight months.
"Many do not understand the city's need for an expanded plant," said Councilman Steve Monet.
Monet said the city needs to work harder to inform residents about the importance of the expansion.
City Manager Dana Foster recommended the city seek a bond for the project through a twice-annual state bond sale. He said the state bond sale will result in lower interest rates for the city when paying back the bond. There is a 45-day waiting period until the City Council can approve the decision, allowing enough time for residents who object to the bond to gather a petition to force a referendum.
A similar, $10 million bond was derailed in September when residents did just that. That caused the city to miss the fall state bond sale. The next one is in the early spring.
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