Now that Danbury residents have approved more than $102 million in bonding for mandated phosphorus removal equipment installation and other work at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, City officials are getting to work on the project.  Public Works Director Antonio Iadarola says he was surprised by the overwhelming support from voters on the ballot question during the election.

By this time next year construction could be under way.  He notes that it's a two to three year project. 

Danbury officials are applying for grant funding to offset some of the costs of the work.  Iadarola told the City Council that his office has received the 90-percent final drawings, which include multiple volumes of specs.  There's almost 1,000 drawings to review.  The state contacted the City and says it could take three months to review. 

Once that's complete, he says final modifications will be made and then get an authorization to go out to bid.  Iadrola says it will then take 6 to 8 months to initiate contracts and get into construction.  As bids come in, his office will work with the Finance Department. 

Mayor Mark Boughton says the biggest impact on sewer rates will be felt by businesses and larger corporations, which will see a substantial increase.  He says single family residences with a $55 quarterly bill, for example, will see their bill go up $5 if there's a 10-percent increase.