Newfield initiates essential sewer system upgrade

The Town of Newfield has embarked on a significant sewer system enhancement project that commenced on April 1 and is anticipated to extend through mid-summer. The upgrade is focused on ameliorating the flow control within the town’s sewer infrastructure, which has seen no major maintenance since its establishment in 1983.

The responsibility of overseeing the system’s flow volume to confirm that it functions correctly and prevents excessive flow that might damage the environment rests with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC).

According to Newfield Town Supervisor Michael Allinger, the project was sparked by a DEC alert in 2019 concerning high flow rates to the sewer district’s leach field, which could potentially harm the environment. This alert prompted the town to conduct a comprehensive study with Hunt Engineering to ascertain the root causes of the excessive inflow and pinpoint which septic systems were contributing to the problem.

“An original plan of expanding the leach field was dismissed, as there was not sufficient land at the site to support that expansion, and it ultimately did not answer the question of where this flow was coming from,” said Allinger. “This led us to engage in a study with Hunt Engineering of the sewer district to try to understand the cause of the excessive inflow.”

According to Allinger, a meticulous year-long study carried out in 2020 identified structural deficiencies in septic systems within the sewer district. These faults allowed stormwater to seep into the sanitary sewer system, resulting in a flow volume that surpassed the system’s design capacity. 

“We have documented the septic systems that have the largest inflow of stormwater to the system and have reached out to the property owners responsible for them,” said Allinger.

According to Allinger, the town sought financial assistance through NYS grants to defray the expenses associated with refurbishing the critical infrastructure. This infrastructure links the individual septic tanks and facilitates wastewater conveyance along Main Street, Pearl Street, Bank Street and a section of Depot Road to the leach field.

The project’s total cost is estimated at $1,113,485.00, with grants contributing $377,609.00 to the cause. The remaining amount will be covered by a bond, unanimously approved by the town’s residents in a public hearing held Nov. 18, 2021. The Special Sewer District will manage the servicing of this bond through taxes and quarterly billing.

Allinger noted that the town is offering grant funding through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for eligible homeowners within the Newfield Sewer District to make the necessary repairs. This funding, managed by Thoma Development Consultants in Cortland, New York, targets single-family and small rental properties, with eligibility based on a low-to-moderate income scale. 

“We urge homeowners to act quickly to receive this funding as the time to take advantage of this program is drawing to an end,” said Allinger. “Thoma is ready to assist in securing a contractor, scheduling work and filling out any paperwork related to the funding.”

During construction, residents should anticipate traffic disruptions along Main Street, Bank Street, Pearl Street and parts of Shaffer and Depot Roads.

For daily updates on the construction’s progress and the areas it affects, information will be provided by F.P. Kane, the project’s contractor, and shared via the Tompkins County SIREN 911 alert system. Citizens are encouraged to subscribe to this service for text, email or voicemail notifications. Detailed information and subscription options can be found on the Tompkins County website, where residents can sign up via the SIREN 911 alert system link.

In brief:

Planning board to meet

The Newfield Planning Board meeting was rescheduled to April 10 at 7 p.m. due to a town-wide power outage on April 3. The meeting agenda can be found on the Town of Newfield website. Participation is highly encouraged and welcomed.

Board of Education meeting

A Newfield Central School District Board of Education meeting will be held April 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Weaver Conference Room on the second floor of the elementary school.

Masonic Lodge to hold chicken BBQ

On April 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Newfield Masonic Lodge will host a chicken BBQ. The BBQ will benefit the Friends of Ithaca Sea Scouts and Ship 25. The dinner, which includes chicken, baked beans, salt potatoes, a roll and a cookie, costs $12 or $9 in halves. To see how to order ahead, go to the Newfield Public Library website under community events.

Sportsman yard sale

On April 27, a sportsman yard sale will be held at the Newfield Rod & Gun Club, Inc. The public can buy, sell and trade hunting, shooting, camping, fishing and boating gear. Vendors pay $15 for an 8-foot table. Tables can be reserved by calling 607-342-5104. 

The entry fee for the event is $5. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.