Wastewater treatment plant hosted a celebration

WHITEFIELD — On Oct. 13, 2021, the wastewater treatment plant hosted a celebration. The facility underwent an $8.5 million renovation to increase its capacity until 2039. It was promoted as crucial infrastructure to bolster economic development. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony,the then-Select Board Chair said the plant upgrade would have a lasting impact on the town. Three years later, the plant is maxed out, and the expensive renovation has been deemed a failure. Town officials believe one or more of the parties involved made very big, very costly mistakes during the plant’s design and construction. To determine who is to blame and what will be done, the Select Board will sit down with the key players in the renovation project on Oct. 21. Representatives of the project designers/engineers Wright-Pierce, state Department of Environmental Services, and USDA Rural Development will be among those invited.