Cost Of Regional Water Treatment Plant Project Dropping

VERNON, CT — The price tag to renovate the regional water treatment plant in Vernon has drastically dwindled as the bid numbers are rolling in, officials said.

A bid had not been awarded as of Wednesday, but Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said the numbers so far are way under budget.

The total budgeted amount is $85,972,000. In relation to the bids, a projetced cost is now $69,500,000, he said.

Vernon's share was initially projected to be $42,198,818. It's now projected to be $34,320,437. Locally, there is no tax increase built into the 2019-20 fiscal year budget. The savings will be passed on to the next 19 years of the 20-year bond used to pay for the project up- front, he said.

The plant is located at 100 Windsorville Road in Vernon, near the Ellington-Vernon line.

A state grant to offset 30.2 percent of the project, or $25,731,000, has been approved.

In addition to Vernon, the towns of Manchester, Tolland, South Windsor and Ellington are involved in the project and their shares are based on flow totals, officials said. The updated numbers will also benefit the towns. The exact figures are being calculated and will be shared after being compiled, Purcaro said.

The project is state-mandated.