Palmerton has approved an engineering study in an effort to help mitigate the odor that's been emitted from the tanks at its state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.

By a unanimous measure, borough council on Thursday agreed to spend $26,800 to develop the options and specifications for the design of an encapsulation structure.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the work is necessary to help alleviate the wretched odor the plant emits."It does emit some terrible odors," Danielson said. "We had some problems down there for about six weeks."Danielson said residents who live near the plant have dealt with the odor for some time."The people on Lehigh Avenue have been putting up with a lot this spring," he said. "If that's going to be an (ongoing) problem, we have to address it."Danielson said the work approved by council is part of a larger project that will cost about $300,000.The $10 million plant has been completely operational since early 2013.In March 2012, the borough granted its consent to allow a segment of Lower Towamensing Township to hook up to the borough's new plant, if necessary. At that time, council approved a sewage agreement with the township to accept sewage from the Weiner Trailer Court, as well as five homes along State Road, and possibly more units.That decision came one week after Lower Towamensing supervisors adopted the agreement. However, as part of their motion, supervisors would not sign the agreement until its Act 537 Plan was signed by the Department of Environmental Protection.Council President Terry Costenbader previously noted the agreement would come at no extra expense to borough residents if a plant extension is required. Instead, it would come at Lower Towamensing's cost, he said.Danielson previously said the agreement is in the event that portion of the township would require the actual hookup. The trailer court has about 60 units, with the possibility of expanding by another 30 or more.In September 2011, council adopted an ordinance to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance the $10 million treatment plant and related costs. The borough will borrow $10 million through a 30-year loan to pay for the new plant.For borough residents, that meant an increase in their monthly sewer rate bills, which increased $14.50, from $33.50 to $48.Danielson previously said the decision to borrow will result in a $60,000 savings per year over earlier bond estimates, or $1.8 million worth of savings over the life of the 30-year span.The project got underway in May 2011, and was initially expected to take 18 months to complete.The three SBR tanks were constructed using the precast concrete method and are the main treatment units in the project, David Schlott, of ARRO Consulting Engineering previously said. The SBR tanks measure 42 feet by 122 feet, and are the largest tanks in the treatment plant, he said.In August 2010, council approved the acceptance of Carbon County bond financing after county commissioners approved an interest reduction loan that will issue economic development bonds.The bonds are available through federal stimulus money, also known as the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.