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Sewer Work Means Projected Deficit

Colchester Mayor Danny Bice
Colchester Mayor Danny Bice

Colchester will have to find $100,000 to pay for the design of a large-scale sewer upgrade. It's hoping to get some help to prevent dipping into its reserves.

The city's new budget does not have enough revenue to pay for the project.

The state turned down the city's application for a grant last year. The grant would have covered the design cost.

Mayor Danny Bice hopes the EPA will change its mind.

Another rejection would leave the city few options.

He said, “We're going to pay for the engineering for this sewer project where we're in EPA violations out of our own pocket.”

The bill for the design would take almost half of the city's $220,500 in reserves.

The city has continuing problems meeting water quality standards. The sewer project is necessary to bring the city into compliance.