The City of Glens Falls is moving forward with a significant upgrade to its electrical system, with an estimated cost of $14 million. During a recent Water and Sewer Commission meeting, officials discussed the urgent need for this replacement, particularly after experiencing a temporary electrical failure during extreme cold weather. The team managed to maintain compliance with environmental permits despite the outage, underscoring the critical nature of the upgrades.

To address immediate needs, the city has submitted an invoice for $300,000 for switchgear, which is part of the overall $600,000 installation cost. This switchgear will serve as a temporary solution while the larger project is underway. The commission is currently assessing funding options, with a budget of approximately $1 million allocated for the switchgear and generator operations during the transition.

As of December 1, the wastewater treatment plant is reported to be $900,000 under budget, which provides some financial flexibility for these urgent upgrades. However, officials cautioned that final budget figures will not be confirmed until early March, leaving some uncertainty about the total costs involved.

The commission is also exploring potential funding sources, including discussions with the governor's office, to ensure that the necessary resources are available for this critical infrastructure project. The urgency of the situation has prompted city officials to act swiftly, as any further electrical failures could exacerbate the challenges faced by the water and sewer systems.

In summary, the City of Glens Falls is taking proactive steps to enhance its electrical infrastructure, with immediate actions in place to mitigate risks while planning for a comprehensive upgrade. The community can expect further updates as the project progresses and funding sources are finalized.