MIDDLETOWN – State consent decrees requiring the City of Middletown to build a new sewer treatment plant and correct sewage overflow problems in the Sterling Street area were both approved by the Common Council Tuesday evening.

Alderman Raymond Depew cast the sole no vote contending the work should have been done years ago and at a lesser cost.

After the meeting, Mayor Marlinda Duncanson said the Sterling Street work was long overdue.

“We’ve always been aware of the problem every time there is heavy rain, and it needs to be addressed,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it came to this, but it has to be addressed.”

The consent decree would have the city pay a fine of $6,500 with as much as $20,000 waived.

Depew has been critical of the delays in building a new sewer plant and repairing Sterling Street, contending had the city retained its former sewer plant engineering consultant instead of hiring a new one, the project would have been completed years ago and at a lesser cost.

The arrangement with the state supersedes a 2004 consent decree.