The pending approval of a new intermunicipal agreement between the Allenstown and Pembroke sewer commissions brings a project to expand and upgrade the towns. shared wastewater treatment facility one step closer to fruition.

The project is designed to alleviate the burden placed on the Suncook Wastewater Treatment Facility, which serves both towns. The current demand placed on the system has the facility at capacity and unable to accommodate additional customers. Meanwhile, each of the towns are poised for growth, both in the short and long term. With new homes and commercial developments on the horizon, officials in both towns say the wastewater treatment facility needs to be upgraded and expanded to support the coming needs. The facility also needs to be upgraded in order to meet anticipated changes in the level of treatment required for discharge to the Merrimack River.

"Members of the respective sewer commissions agree that to provide the service and support demanded by each of the towns and to provide service and support to future residential or commercial developments. The Suncook Wastewater Treatment Facility needs to be upgraded and expanded," said Allenstown Sewer Commission Chairman James Rodger. "We want to do it in a fiscally responsible manner so that taxpayers and ratepayers are not overburdened."

Local officials will pursue federal matching funds and state grants as part of the planning for the proposed project to upgrade and expand the Suncook Wastewater Treatment Facility. The hope is that residents in both Allenstown and Pembroke will have an adequate and supportive system in the next few years. The facility is owned and operated by Allenstown, but used by residents of both towns.

"While this project has become necessary in order to support and provide service to Allenstown and Pembroke residents, there is a great deal of attention being paid to the impact the expansion and upgrade will have on taxes and sewer rates," said Rodger. "We will aggressively pursue supplemental funding to offset the cost of the project, including funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services."

An environmental impact assessment will also be conducted to ensure the upgrade and expansion of the facility complies with state and federal guidelines and minimally impacts the surrounding environment.

In March 2007, residents of Allenstown will see a warrant article for the project. At the polls, residents will have the opportunity to vote to approve the funding for the project.

"Throughout this year, leading up to the 2007 Town Meeting, we will be conducting a survey and plan to communicate regularly with the public and residents about this project so that everyone is informed," said Rodger. "We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to offer input on this project, as it is vitally important as Allenstown and Pembroke continue to grow."

Pending approval of the agreement, which outlines the terms of the project by DES, USDA Rural Development and the state Attorney General's Office, the design phase of the project, which includes the creation of schematic designs and potential layouts of the facility, has already begun. Pending approval for the bond from residents at the polls in 2007, construction on the facility could begin later that year and be completed within two to three years.