The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of serial bonds not to exceed $4,389,000 to replace the Process Control and Administration Building (PCAB) at 17 Cortland Street in Fort Edward for Washington County Sewer District No. 2.

Supervisor Shaw questioned the language of the resolution and asked why the county’s name appeared while the project is for the sewer district. Shaw said, “This is for the Seward District,” and sought clarity on whether the borrowing would affect the county tax cap. County staff explained that the sewer district does not have independent borrowing authority; debt for the district is issued by the county and signed by county officials. Staff said the project’s current debt service is within the district’s existing ad valorem levy, so the county budget or tax cap would not be affected unless future borrowing pushed debt service above current levy levels.

Board members also noted that the project had moved to the full board to meet Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) timelines and that the sewer district commissioners had initiated the borrowing request; the board conducted a roll-call vote because the measure required a two-thirds majority. The resolution passed on the roll call; meeting minutes show affirmative votes from a broad majority of supervisors.

The bond authorization covers demolition of the existing PCAB, design and construction of a new PCAB at the same 17 Cortland Street address, excavation and grading, and acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus required for the facility’s use. The resolution is recorded as Resolution 157 in the meeting packet.