Updated: Smithsburg council criticizes county over possible delay in wastewater upgrades

SMITHSBURG — The Smithsburg Town Council was clear Tuesday night: It is frustrated and angry with a possible delay in upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant.

The council expressed anger at the Washington Board of County Commissioners, which recently suggested delaying a full upgrade to the town's wastewater plant.

The council has said the town needs the sewer upgrades to accommodate more growth and keep taxes down.

One council member called on town residents not to vote for any county commissioners running in the Nov. 6 general election who do not support a full upgrade of the plant.

"We need to be vocal about the lack of support," Councilman Richard Hetherington said in a prepared statement. "(The wastewater plant upgrade) is probably the biggest project this town has seen in the last 15 years. ... Either they do the right thing or we will put somebody in (office) who will."

Instead of spending money to expand the treatment plant's capacity from 330,000 to 660,000 gallons per day, the county commissioners are considering smaller, more gradual upgrades to eventually increase the plant's capacity to 450,000 gallons per day.

The commissioners discussed the option last month, but made no decisions.

Councilwoman Cassandra Weaver also expressed her frustration. Without naming anyone specifically, Weaver accused county officials of misleading the town.

"We're not happy with the county," she said. "There is a select group that have an agenda."

Dan DiVito, the county's deputy director of water quality, questioned why the town feels it is not being told the truth.

"I'm not sure why the town feels like they are being mislead because we have been totally transparent with the approach we are taking in reference to the plant upgrade," DiVito wrote in an email. "... We have had several discussions with the mayor and council representatives as well as the town manager."

DiVito also clarified that the price tag for the entire upgrade is closer to $15 million. The $12.5 million is the amount in the county's long-range capital improvement budget and does not represent the estimated cost of the entire project.

"... We have been very clear that our evaluation of this project has taken several issues into consideration, including existing capacity, existing conditions at the plant, the effect of the recent addition of Bio Mag treatment process to the plant, at a cost of over $1 million, Smithsburg's comprehensive plan (including all future planned development) and the county's comprehensive and water, sewer plan," he wrote.

DiVito saida phased upgrade to 450,000 gallons per day from the current 330,000 gallons would provide enough capacity for current and proposed development, including Cloverly Hill.

Cloverly Hill is a planned mixed-use project on 68.18 acres east of Smithsburg Pike, or Md. 64, and north of Foxville Road, or Md. 77.

When developed, it will include a mixture of single-family homes, townhouses, a senior independent and assisted-living facility, and a tavern. Two acres will be set aside for a newly expanded ambulance building for Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services.

DiVito said the current Smithsburg plant can accommodate another 161 equivalent dwelling units, or EDUs, enough for the proposed development.

A developer wishing to connect to the wastewater system must purchase an EDU for each residential unit it builds. One house equals one EDU.

"As we told commissioners in open session, we have enjoyed a very positive, productive, and transparent relationship with the town of Smithsburg and are committed to continue in the same manner," DiVito wrote. "We are working with our engineering consultants to gather information and develop a plan to complete the upgrade to 450,000 gallons per day as soon as practicable."

DiVito plans to meet again with town officials.

Commissioners President Terry Baker, who is running for re-election, said in a phone interview Wednesday that the status of the wastewater treatment plant project has not changed.

"There has been no delay or change in the capital budget," Baker said. "We are checking and investigating all cost effective solutions."

Baker questioned the council's assumption that the county is trying to delay the project.

"We are not trying to delay anything," he said. "I'm not trying to delay anything. I don't know where they hear all this information."

But last month, a Washington County government report prepared by DiVito and Mark Bradshaw, recommended that commissioners delay the construction of the Smithsburg plant.

Bradshaw is the deputy director of engineering services for the Division of Environmental Management.

Daniel Cross, owner of Cloverly Hill LLC in Frederick County, Md., was not at Tuesday night's meeting. But Cross told The Herald Mail last week that a delay in upgrading the plant could hurt his development.

"Obviously, we are greatly concerned," he said then. "Any action by the county to step away is a concern."

He has said he plans to purchase 25 EDUs per year for his project.

Commissioner Jeff Cline attended the Smithsburg meeting to hear from council members.

"I came here to hear both sides," said Cline, who also is running for re-election. "I support Smithsburg and their request."

Cline agrees with Smithsburg officials that a full plant upgrade is vital to attracting more growth in town.

"If they don't have any growth, how are they going to pay for things like fire and rescue?" he said.

Town Council Vice President Donald Souders said a delay is more than just a problem for Cloverly Hill.

"If we don't get that growth, the town will suffer with higher taxes and higher fees," he said.