Westhampton Beach Awarded $5M For Sewer Project

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Westhampton Beach has moved one step closer in its quest to create a sewer extension that could prove a boon to downtown business and also afford environmental benefits.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced its Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan/Round 15 awards for Water Quality Improvement Project grants.

More than $20 million dollars was awarded to Nassau and Suffolk counties to help reduce nitrogen from the waters of Long Island.

The Village of Westhampton Beach was awarded $5 million to help with the construction of sanitary collection and conveyance infrastructure within the Main Street business district of the village and connect the infrastructure to the wastewater treatment facility at Gabreski Airport, the DEC said.

"This project will reduce nitrogen loading to groundwater and surrounding waterbodies from inadequate onsite systems in this area," according to the DEC.

It was a major victory, said Westhampton Village Mayor Maria Moore. "The board has been focused on addressing critical infrastructure projects in the village, including a Main Street restoration project and the installation of a sewer system," she said.

According to a study conducted by Professor Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University, the sewer system will eliminate 5,000 lbs. of nitrogen pollution, or 24%, in the bay each year, Moore said.

In addition, installation of the sewer system will also allow for additional uses on Main Street, including additional restaurants, a small hotel, and occupancy of the apartments above the stores, she said.

Rather than construct its own sewer treatment plant, the village teamed up with Suffolk County to connect to the existing plant at Gabreski Airport.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $16.75 million.

During the past year, the village received a grant for $1,130,000 from Southampton's Community Preservation Fund, as well as the new award of $5 million from the NYSDEC Water Quality Improvement Program, Moore said.

"Those funds will go a long way in offsetting the cost of construction, and we are grateful for the support. We plan to apply for additional funding next year from New York State under the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program, and also under the Shared Services Program," Moore said.

Engineers at H2M are currently preparing construction documents, and the board expects to put the project out to bid in early 2020, Moore said.

Environmentalist Kevin McAllister of Defend H2O, who has long been a proponent of the sewering plan, weighed in on the award. "While there’s been a great deal of discussion on the benefits to water quality from establishing a Westhampton Beach municipal sewage treatment system — specifically, reducing nitrogen loading to surface waters, reducing bacterial contamination emanating from the numerous septic leaching pools in direct contact with bay-bound groundwater is as important," he said. "The establishment of a sewer district, particularly in the southern zone, is a critical action given the close proximity to Moniebogue Bay and the expanding influences of sea level rise.”

Last March, on a day that's been years in the making, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed legislation to authorize an agreement with the Village of Westhampton Beach to connect its business district and two condominium complexes to the County's wastewater treatment plant located at Frances S. Gabreski Airport.

The bill would also allow the village to create a sewer district to protect water quality while ensuring the economic vitality of the business district, Bellone said.

"The connection of this business district to a modern wastewater treatment plant is a win-win that will protect water quality and keep Westhampton Beach's economy moving forward," Bellone said. "This is perfect example of how local governments can work cooperatively to share services and save taxpayer dollars."

Westhampton Beach officials including former Mayor Conrad Teller, have, in the past, been presented with potential plans to build a brand-new sewage treatment plant in the village, but ultimately decided that it would be too expensive to do so.

At the press event, Moore said the project would cost about $16.75 million,with the village applying for grant funding to the tune of about $7 million.

Engineers estimated it would take a year or two or less to construct the infrastructure for the hookup, Moore said.

Storm drains will be restored and replaced on Main Street, Moore said.

A village sewer consultant estimated that the village would save about $7.4 million by contributing toward an expansion of the county's treatment plant, known as Suffolk County Sewer District 24, which currently serves Gabreski Airport, the Air National Guard base and the companies located in the Hampton Business District, Bellone said.

In addition, the county's treatment plant at Gabreski Airport will require modifications in order to accommodate the additional sewage from Westhampton Beach.

Moving forward, the sewage treatment plant will use a connection fee of $1.8 million from the village to offset the cost of the future modifications which will increase the plant's capacity by 50 percent, Bellone said.

Westhampton Beach will be expected to pay $80,000 a year to continue utilizing the treatment plant.

The sewer district connection will allow for the Westhampton Beach's business district to continue to expand, attract new business, and create housing opportunities above stores on Main Street, said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming.

The connection works to protect both the quality of water, by preventing nitrogen from entering the groundwater, and to enhance the economic vibrancy of the downtown area, elected officials agreed.

Suffolk County and Westhampton Beach anticipate the inclusion of the program in applying for matching funds from New York State for savings attained under the shared services initiative, officials said.

The Suffolk County Shared Services Plan, SuffolkShare, was unanimously approved in 2017 and was projected to save nearly $37 million over the course of two years among local governments.

The 10-point plan provides a modern inter-municipal framework among participating municipalities to enhance service offerings and improve the ability for local governments to work together to implement and augment their programs and initiatives, officials said.

Moore said the project was a "win win" for both local business and the environment.

The Town of Southampton has been working very hard to restore its waterways and improve septic systems without placing undue burden on property owners and businesses, said Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.

"The county's generous offer to help the Westhampton Beach Business district connect to the sewage treatment plant at Gabreski Airport is a smart way to ensure we are protecting the environment and helping the Westhampton Beach business district grow," he said.

Schneiderman also said big box stores are struggling and people are "returning to downtown" but to get there, there is a need for wet uses, something that can't be done currently in downtown Westhampton Beach. Wet uses, he said, require more gallons per day.

Some have expressed concerns about development downtown but elected officials assured that zoning is in place to protect the village.

"A thriving downtown Westhampton Beach and mitigation of nitrogen pollution to Moniebogue Bay, Quantuck Bay and Moriches Bay will benefit our entire region," said Fleming.

Bellone said he introduced the Reclaim Our Water initiative to reduce nitrogen pollution of groundwater and surface waters from cesspools and septic systems through connection of communities to sewer systems and the installation of advanced on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Cesspools have been identified as a primary source of nitrogen pollution that has degraded water quality throughout Suffolk County, contributing to harmful algae blooms, beach closures and fish kills, he said.

Local business owners applauded the news. "It's a step in the right direction. I appreciate the hard work our mayor and trustees have undertaken. It's a long road ahead from start to finish," said Westhampton Beach business owner Elyse Richman, of the Westhampton Beach Business Alliance

Talk of sewering downtown Westhampton Beach has sparked contention for more than a decade.

Advocates have long maintained that sewering Main Street would mean the chance to revitalize a sleepy business area, from one currently dotted with real estate businesses and banks, to an area vibrant with new restaurants, potential apartments, and even a small hotel.

In addition, environmentalists including McAllister, founder of Defend H2O, have long said the plan would help to restore a polluted Moniebogue Bay.

As far back as 2006, Tim Laube and former Fox news anchor John Roland ran for the Westhampton Beach Village Board with a campaign platform anchored in the idea of creating sewers. Both men lost the election, with Teller, the incumbent mayor, re-elected, and some stating that they believed the pair lost due to the controversial plan to sewer that had the village divided in heated debate.

Moore, since running for her seat as mayor, has long been a proponent of the sewering plan and the benefits she believe it will bring to both the village business district and to the environment.

Patch file photo courtesy Elyse Richman.