DEERFIELD — With work on the Old Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant on the horizon, the Select Board recently met with representatives from Old Deerfield nonprofits to talk about future partnerships on the project.
Led by Deerfield Academy Chief Financial Officer Matthew Sheehy and Eaglebrook School CFO Eric Malloy, who were joined by representatives from Historic Deerfield and The Bement School, the preliminary discussion focused on the desires of the nonprofit community to work through the plant design and construction process with Deerfield officials.
“We’re prepared to invest and make investments, and look at alternative designs,” Sheehy said, adding that the nonprofits are willing to put money into the project, but want to be on the same page as the town so money does not ultimately go to waste. “No one wants to spend money that results in a study and information that sits on a shelf.”
In an October letter to the Select Board, Sheehy, on behalf of the nonprofits, wrote they have been working with a general contractor who has experience in wastewater treatment plants to discuss “potential alternative approaches for upgrading and renovating” the Old Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, with those costs being “borne solely by the nonprofits.”
“It is important to the nonprofits that the town is supportive of this course of action and that there is a mutual understanding of expectations of the parties in undertaking the feasibility study,” the letter reads, and assuming feasibility of such an approach is confirmed, “the town is prepared to consider these alternative approaches for upgrading and repairing the existing facility.”
Select Board Chair Trevor McDaniel, who has helped lead the South Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant’s repairs, said there are a few design components that will be prioritized by the town, such as a longer settling time for solids, but he is open to hearing ideas.
“Personally, I’m open to looking at alternatives, every alternative,” McDaniel said. “It’d be silly to not get all the smart minds in the room to look at a plan.”
Even though work could be years away, McDaniel said in July that the Old Deerfield Wastewater Treatment Plant on Little Meadow Road is in “poor shape” and will need renovations to continue to properly serve the nonprofits, schools and homes hooked up to the system. The plant is wired with outdated electronic systems and lacks up-to-date clarifiers that can remove solids from waste.
Sheehy said the nonprofits will “allocate resources” to allow the town’s engineer, David Prickett of David Prickett Consulting, to work with them on the project because the nonprofits’ operation requires a functional wastewater plant.
“We’re committed to having resources available to contract with Dave to have input in that process,” Sheehy said. “It is in our best interest to design a long-lasting facility. … This is an infrastructure project that should have a 30, 40, 50-year lifespan.”
Select Board member Tim Hilchey, who worked with Town Administrator Kayce Warren to facilitate discussions between the town and nonprofits, said the inclusion of a town engineer is a “very positive step” for all parties involved, including the roughly 40 residential homes hooked up to the Old Deerfield plant.
“I think that this is a good opportunity for everyone to work collaboratively together and come up with a great solution,” Hilchey said.
Finance Committee Chair Julie Chalfant asked about how the project would be funded, to which Sheehy replied that the nonprofits are working with their legal advisers on how that would play out. Those discussions, however, may have to wait until prices are calculated.
“Once we have a number,” Sheehy said, “we can strip that back and say, ‘What is possible?’”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.