Village of Corinth Infrastructure Improvement Program (2018 LGAA)

Village of Corinth (Winner)
County: Saratoga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (518) 654-2012

The Village of Corinth is located along the Hudson River within the Adirondack Park. It has a total land mass of 1.1 square miles and 2,559 residents, 57.6% of whom are low and moderate income. Land use within the Village is dominated by residential properties with some commercial areas. The topography is generally flat and the Village relies upon pump stations to convey wastewater from its approximately 10+ miles of sanitary sewer mains to the central wastewater treatment plant. The system serves 1,221 single family residences, 24 commercial establishments, and 16 users outside of the Village.

The Village's water and sewer systems were built in the early 1900’s when the Village was a bustling paper manufacturing town. International Paper had operated a paper mill in the Village of Corinth since 1898. At its peak in the 1950s, International Paper employed 1,500 at the Hudson River Mill. Most of the labor force was from Corinth or nearby Lake Luzerne. When the mill closed in the fourth quarter of 2002, it cost the region 290 jobs. As jobs were rapidly lost and the Village’s population changed, impacts to the tax base were significant. Resources were not available to repair water and sewer infrastructure and the system conditions deteriorated. Parallel with deteriorating conditions, State requirements became more stringent, and significant infrastructure improvements were mandated.

After commissioning outside consultants to prepare engineering reports to separately evaluate drinking water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, it was determined that priority projects included a $2 million drinking water treatment plant, a $14 million wastewater treatment plant, plus an additional $20 million in sewer collection and drinking water distribution system improvements. Faced with potential spending of $36.6 million, the Village Board of Trustees retained Laberge Group who prepared the Village of Corinth Infrastructure Improvement Program which summarized past study findings, prioritized infrastructure improvements, updated project budgets, and included a realistic plan of finance to allow an implementable project to be completed. The process included open house-style public meetings to share initial findings and allow the public to participate in infrastructure investment decisions, as well as an income survey to help best position Village projects for grant and hardship financing assistance. Finally, since the Village also supplies water to the Town of Corinth and Town of Luzerne, the program included an evaluation of potential intermunicipal efficiency projects.

The Infrastructure Improvement Program allowed the Village to qualify for 0% financing and to access over $8.6 million in grants to date. Completing drinking water and sanitary sewer projects at the same time meant less disruption and saved money, minimizing rate increases. The drinking water project replaced drinking water mains that were causing “dirty water” complaints from some areas of the Village. The River Street Pump Station, Force Main and Trunk Sewer replacement project will eliminate concerns of sewer overflow into the Hudson River. The new wastewater treatment plant eliminates emergency repair costs of the deteriorating existing plant, and will improve treatment of final effluent discharge. The wastewater treatment plant will also include an innovative sludge processing system, eliminating the need to spend over $6,000 per month to haul away sludge and required by their existing plant. The project has resolved capacity limitations that stifled economic development initiatives in the Village, including the redevelopment of the former International Paper property and redevelopment of the core Main Street block that was recently lost during a fire.

The sanitary sewer infrastructure upgrade project for the Village of Corinth not only addresses the village's failing infrastructure and debris issues, but it also addresses future growth, economic vitality, and the improvement of current housing. The Program was innovative because it viewed the Village’s infrastructure as if it were a business. A business plan was developed for successful implementation and operation. Infrastructure improvement costs and revenue from water and sewer rents were considered together as required to create an implementable and affordable project.

The total cost to develop the Village of Corinth Infrastructure Improvement Program – which was entirely funded by outside sources – was approximately $20,000, with half of the cost associated with the income survey. However, this investment allowed the Village to obtain 0% interest financing. Additionally, it was identified that the Town of Corinth could save over $1.5 million over a 5-year period if the operation of Town water districts could be consolidated and operated by the Village with an intermunicipal agreement. They received an additional $400,000 to implement consolidation and purchase water meters.

Due to the Village undertaking a systematic approach to infrastructure improvements, significant emergency repair costs have been eliminated. More importantly, the Village’s infrastructure is in top condition and enables the Village to expand existing businesses, and promote new business development that will be sustainable in the long-term. The Village of Corinth Infrastructure Improvement Program will bring the Village to life and spotlight the strengths of the greater Capital Region. Once complete, the proposed improvements will help make the community a more viable attraction as a gateway to the Adirondacks.