July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Work funds sought (03/03/2009)
By By ROBERT BANSER-
Dunkirk and Redkey are both hoping to take advantage of proposed federal stimulus funds to upgrade drinking water systems.
"We're on the list and shovel ready," said Dunkirk council member Judy Garr, who is in charge of the city's water department.
Friday was the initial deadline for communities to apply for the more than $122 million in federal stimulus money to clean up overflow-prone sewage systems and upgrade drinking water facilities. The deadline for submitting detailed engineering plans is March 13. The funds are being administered by the state.
Garr described the proposed federal stimulus funds for water projects throughout the state as "very good news" for Dunkirk, adding that the timing was excellent as Dunkirk was already in the process of working on plans to upgrade its drinking water system.
Redkey town council president Doug Stanley said Monday that his community is on the list for water improvement funds and will be trying to secure some of the proposed federal sewer system improvement money as well - even though it missed the initial deadline.
Redkey is one of nearly 100 Indiana communities which have antiquated, combined sanitary and storm water runoff sewer systems which the Indiana Department of Environmental Management wants to see corrected.
Stanley explained that Redkey has submitted a long range plan to IDEM to remedy the problems, but receipt of federal stimulus funds could certainly give that plan a shot in the arm.
On the water improvement project, Stanley said he has been working with Jay County Community Development director Ami Huffman who helped Redkey secure a $500,000 Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant toward that work which is estimated to cost more than $2 million overall.
Stanley said Monday that not only does Redkey qualify for the water system improvement funds, "but we are shovel ready with bids already in." If federal stimulus funds are received, water rates may not have to be raised as high as recently projected, he added.
Regarding the possibility of receiving additional stimulus funds to pay for sewer system improvements to eliminate combined sewer overflow problems during times of heavy rainfall or melting snow, Stanley said, "I'll definitely read up on that."
Redkey has a long-term plan filed with IDEM, but engineering specifications are needed. "This is definitely something that we need to pursue."
When state officials talk about archaic sewer systems in need of correction, "we're in that category," Stanley said.
When deciding between fixing the town's water or sewer system, it was a matter of setting priorities and town officials decided to proceed with the water improvements first. But new federal stimulus funds may provide an opportunity to do both at the same time, he added.
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"We're on the list and shovel ready," said Dunkirk council member Judy Garr, who is in charge of the city's water department.
Friday was the initial deadline for communities to apply for the more than $122 million in federal stimulus money to clean up overflow-prone sewage systems and upgrade drinking water facilities. The deadline for submitting detailed engineering plans is March 13. The funds are being administered by the state.
Garr described the proposed federal stimulus funds for water projects throughout the state as "very good news" for Dunkirk, adding that the timing was excellent as Dunkirk was already in the process of working on plans to upgrade its drinking water system.
Redkey town council president Doug Stanley said Monday that his community is on the list for water improvement funds and will be trying to secure some of the proposed federal sewer system improvement money as well - even though it missed the initial deadline.
Redkey is one of nearly 100 Indiana communities which have antiquated, combined sanitary and storm water runoff sewer systems which the Indiana Department of Environmental Management wants to see corrected.
Stanley explained that Redkey has submitted a long range plan to IDEM to remedy the problems, but receipt of federal stimulus funds could certainly give that plan a shot in the arm.
On the water improvement project, Stanley said he has been working with Jay County Community Development director Ami Huffman who helped Redkey secure a $500,000 Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant toward that work which is estimated to cost more than $2 million overall.
Stanley said Monday that not only does Redkey qualify for the water system improvement funds, "but we are shovel ready with bids already in." If federal stimulus funds are received, water rates may not have to be raised as high as recently projected, he added.
Regarding the possibility of receiving additional stimulus funds to pay for sewer system improvements to eliminate combined sewer overflow problems during times of heavy rainfall or melting snow, Stanley said, "I'll definitely read up on that."
Redkey has a long-term plan filed with IDEM, but engineering specifications are needed. "This is definitely something that we need to pursue."
When state officials talk about archaic sewer systems in need of correction, "we're in that category," Stanley said.
When deciding between fixing the town's water or sewer system, it was a matter of setting priorities and town officials decided to proceed with the water improvements first. But new federal stimulus funds may provide an opportunity to do both at the same time, he added.
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