Allan Herschlag lives in Concord.

Those who asked whether the city of Concord had the infrastructure to take on new residential growth were labeled pariahs, NIMBYs or worse. But, at the most recent city council meeting, we are informed by the city’s consultant, Wright-Pierce, that our wastewater plant is already out of or very nearly out of loading capacity.

What does this mean and how did we get here?

The wastewater plant has two bio-towers. Between 20 and 30 years ago, the southern bio-tower failed, leaving only the northern tower functioning. The problem is the northern tower is only able to function at approximately 50% capacity.

As for the proposed residential development, in October, Matt Walsh, the Concord’s deputy manager of development, reported to the city council that there were 2,352 housing units planned for development. At an average of 2.3 persons per unit, these planned units would increase our population by 5,410 people. Chip Chesley, the city’s director of general services, compared building the proposed residential development to asking the city to absorb the population of Loudon.

Wright-Pierce anticipates that upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant can be completed by 2030 at an estimated cost of between $27.5 and $33.5 million. The completion of the residential units is expected to occur before 2030. What happens if the city council approves moving forward and funding this wastewater project? What is the plan to treat the additional bio-solids that arrive at the plant if it is already at or near capacity? Will stricter enforcement of commercial waste open enough capacity at the plant to tide it over until 2030? Is there a ‘plan B’?

Will the limited capacity at the plant give pause to those considering moving or opening a business in our city? Will the cost of the pre-treatment of commercial waste make it unaffordable for businesses? Will businesses request forgoing paying impact fees and ask for incentives from the city?

And what about residential properties? Will they be required to pay impact fees, and will that impact their affordability? Will they be asking for incentives from the city, and will that impact the city’s property tax rate?

How much will wastewater rates increase if the city doesn’t attract enough new users to pay for the costs of improvements to the plant? How much will property taxes increase if residential units are allowed to create Tax Increment Financing districts in order to be affordable?

Wouldn’t it have been better to have asked these questions before rather than after the plant reached its capacity?