$1.3 Million Sought By Leahy For New Wastewater Treatment Plant, In Cabot, Signed Into Law By President

October 20, 1999

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20) -- President Clinton today signed into law a housing budget bill that includes $1.3 million in federal funds sought by Sen. Patrick Leahy for a new wastewater treatment plant in the town of Cabot.

Both the House and Senate late last week overwhelmingly approved an appropriations bill for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development (known as "VA-HUD"). Included in that annual appropriations measure was $1.3 million secured by Leahy for a new wastewater treatment system for Cabot. Senator Leahy is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which wrote the Senate version of the VA-HUD appropriations legislation.

"With these funds, Cabot will significantly upgrade their wastewater treatment facilities," said Leahy. "This should greatly boost the town's efforts to build an efficient and environmentally sound wastewater disposal system."

The federal funds will be joined with a state and local contribution to pay for the estimated $4.6 million project. Cabot has already taken out a bond to cover the costs of the project, so these federal funds will help the town reduce that debt burden. A new wastewater treatment system for Cabot is needed to upgrade the current failing septic system which has discharged sewage into the Winooski River. The new wastewater treatment system will be located at the former Headwaters Lumber site in Lower Cabot. The project, utilizing an innovative treatment process designed to significantly reduce costs, is expected to serve 69 residents and 19 non-residential connections, including the local school and Cabot Creamery offices. Construction is expected to begin in July 2000 and end in December 2001.

Since 1997, when Senate Leahy first helped organize a meeting with state and local leaders to discuss funding for this project, the Senator has been involved in pushing for federal aid for Cabot. In addition to the $1.3 million secured in this year's appropriations bill, Leahy had also supported Cabot's successful application for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) $773,000 grant and $588,500 loan to help the town pay for the new wastewater treatment system.

Local contacts: Christopher Kaldor, Cabot Town Clerk, 781-290-5600 Room 616 (for today, Wednesday)