LONDONDERRY, Vt. – The Town of Londonderry is excited to announce that construction on the highly anticipated South Village wastewater project is set to begin on June 17. Work is expected to start on Route 100, at the Crescent Street intersection, and progress north toward the Prouty property, aka the town salt shed. Construction activities may also occur concurrently at the Prouty property.
Construction will include trenching within and along roadways. As a result, motorists should expect lane closures, traffic control, and delays throughout the construction period. The project will also require ledge removal in certain areas. Ledge removal is anticipated to be performed using hydraulic hammering and potentially blasting. This work will generate significant noise and vibration, and may occur throughout the workday for multiple consecutive days. Work will generally occur Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. No work will occur on holidays. The contractor may arrive early to prepare materials and equipment, and may remain late for cleanup activities. Noise-generating work is expected to be minimal outside of normal work hours. The town reserves the right to modify work hours to take advantage of extended summer daylight conditions. In the event of emergency work, the contractor may be authorized to work outside the typical hours listed above.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in modernizing local infrastructure, protecting the local environment, and supporting the long-term economic vitality of the village center. A similar project for Londonderry’s North Village is being advanced through engineering and permitting phases.
Following a competitive bidding process, the town recently awarded the construction contract to local firm Hunter Excavating, of South Londonderry. Hunter will oversee the installation of the new wastewater system, which has been designed to provide reliable, efficient service to homes and businesses within the village district. Preliminary site work and equipment mobilization will commence in the coming weeks. Wastewater from each individual property connected to the system will be discharged to a soil-based disposal field, similar to a conventional septic leach field, at the town-owned Prouty parcel, located between the North and South Villages on Route 100.
A critical component of bringing this project to fruition is the more than $4,600,000 of funding secured through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). By leveraging these federal and state recovery funds, Londonderry is making a generational investment in essential municipal infrastructure while minimizing the financial impact on local taxpayers. In 2024, town residents approved a bond vote covering the required funding match. The project is the first ARPA-funded village wastewater project to be bid in the state.
“This project is a transformative step for Londonderry,” said Aileen Tulloch, Londonderry town administrator. “Bringing reliable wastewater infrastructure to our village center has been years in the making. Thanks to the vital ARPA funding, the dedicated work of our volunteers, Windham Regional Commission, and Dufresne Group, and the support of other stakeholders in the state, we are finally ready to put shovels in the ground and build a stronger foundation for our community’s future.”
“Like many historic villages in Vermont, South Londonderry lacks municipal wastewater infrastructure that is critical for supporting housing, businesses, flood resiliency, and improved water quality,” noted Matt Bachler, senior planner at the Windham Regional Commission. “The South Londonderry wastewater project is a great case study for other communities in our region to learn from and see how these types of projects can go from an idea to construction thanks to the dedication of volunteers, elected officials, and town staff.”
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has provided technical support during the planning and permitting process for the project. DEC Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli recently commented on the project: “We commend the Londonderry Wastewater Committee for their many years of dedication to finding a wastewater solution for South Londonderry Village. This important project provides multiple community benefits. It will improve water quality and flood resilience by decommissioning septic systems in the floodplain, and it will provide much needed opportunities for housing, infill development, and redevelopment. This exemplary project is one of many village wastewater projects DEC is promoting statewide, bolstered with ARPA funds. It is made possible thanks to Londonderry’s commitment and local, state, and federal partners providing technical and financial assistance.”
The new wastewater system will alleviate limitations on local businesses and residential properties, paving the way for targeted economic growth, improved property values, and enhanced environmental protections for nearby groundwater and waterways.
Residents, businesses, and visitors should expect an increase in construction traffic and minor detours in the village area starting in mid-June. The Town of Londonderry and Hunter Excavating are committed to minimizing disruptions and will provide regular updates on construction phases, traffic impacts, and continuing progress.
For more information about the village wastewater project, construction schedules, or to sign up for project updates, please visit www.londonderryvt.gov/wastewater or contact the town office.