Village plans to bond $3.74M to replace water lines
The Village Board has approved a $3.74 million dollar bond to update aging water lines.
The plan is to install 7,650 feet of pipe to replace infrastructure that’s abut a century old.
The borrowing will be subject to a public vote if a petition requesting one is filed by Sept. 18.
Under the plan, 2,500 feet of 6-inch-diameter pipe will be replaced with 12-inch pipe along Montgomery Street/U.S. Route 9, and 5,150 feet of 4-inch-diameter pipe will be replaced with 6-inch pipe on Platt Avenue, Chestnut Street and Livingston Street.
“We have to bond in order to apply for [a] grant,” village Mayor Gary Bassett said. “So the first step in the process is to be able to secure the bonds ... and the second step is to apply for the state grants.”
The village hopes to get $2.1 million in grants under the state Water Infrastructure Improvements Act and the state Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program.
“We’ve been three years in the preparation for this project,” Bassett said. “So now we’re at the state where we are shovel-ready, and once we have the bond resolution [finalized], then go for the grants. With the grant process, we could essentially know by the end of this year if we’re approved for grants, and we could start [construction] in the spring.”
Village officials say there have been about six water main breaks per year over the past 10 years.