La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

At its first specially called hearing to consider the 2022 budget Sept. 14 in Maple Hall, the La Conner Town Council dived right into the bulk of proposed expenditures: public works and the wastewater treatment plant. The draft budget lists a 15% increase, of $297,000 in the five public works programs parks, facilities, streets, water and drainage, with $2 million for capital water projects: replacing water mains on Channel Drive, $1.6 million, and South First Street from Commercial to Morris, $400,000. The larger project has to happen very soon, Public Works Director Brian Lease warned, and water leaks on First Street are likewise a priority.

Lease, who spoke remotely via Zoom, also addressed smaller projects, including a gazebo and bathroom at Conner Waterfront Park, boat ramp at Sherman Avenue – called a priority – along with tree work in Pioneer Park.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas listed $75,000 for developing the new Maple Avenue Park.

Lease turned to heating and air conditioning needs for town buildings, asking, which will be first and noting that he cannot get contractors’ attention to get quotes.

Summing up streets, Lease named Tillinghast Drive for needing tree replacement and sidewalk repair

Asked about grant funding for the water projects by Councilmember Bill Stokes, Lease said state Department of Health grants were unlikely. Thomas noted “lots of loans at 1-2%, a nice loan rate.”

The proposed public works budget is $2.26 million.

Kelly Wynn, director of the wastewater treatment plant, told council that increased expenditures will start with engineering plans to navigate tighter regulations from the state’s Department of Ecology for removing nutrients from wastewater and plant capacity. The Swinomish Tribe is planning 500 housing units; when completed the added volume will require plant improvements, Thomas said. It will be a cost share with the Tribe, he added.

Wynn said the planning process will take years, but the 2022 engineering plan will be done by the end of next year. The town will qualify for grant funding for an upgrade reducing nutrients.

Stokes sees a 40% sewer rate increase by 2026 based on increased demands for electricity, but did not elaborate, though Thomas agreed with him.

Wynn’s budget has $300,000 in capital costs improvements, for a front end loader and driveway work.

Council will have at least two more budget hearings ahead of their 6 p.m. regular meetings.

Telecommunications continued to plague participants, with off-site observers able only to hear Thomas, who apparently had amplification through his laptop.

Mayor Ramon Hayes missed the meeting.