By By EDWIN MODLIN II
edwin@wdnweb.com
Staff Writer
BELHAVEN — Town Council members continue their work on a grant application for sewer improvements.
The town has received a notice of intent to fund the project from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The town has applied for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but it doesn’t expect that funding to be available until next year.
Gary D. Hartong, an engineer and department manager with The Wooten Company, informed the council during its meeting Monday of the costs and details of the grant funding the town is seeking.
“There were 68 projects submitted for consideration, and only nine of those projects were awarded a grant-loan combination,” Hartong said. “Belhaven was one of those nine projects. Belhaven was granted 50 percent loan and 50 percent principal forgiveness, which in all terms is a grant.”
Hartong added that 25 of the proposed projects received no grant funding.
“You (Belhaven) have a very good project, and one that is worthy of esteemed consideration,” he said as he reviewed the project scope with the council.
The project has four components. The first piece being improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, costing an estimated $419,113. The second component is the California Street pump station, costing an estimated $241,529. That project includes installing a new generator and replacing the pumps.
“The third component, the sanitary sewer rehabilitation (with an estimated cost of $1,057,428),” Hartong said, “was brought on by a separate application that was submitted for the work in the historic waterfront area and includes mostly manhole replacements and sewer-line replacements, but mostly lining of the existing sewer with technology we refer to as CIPD, which is a lot less intrusive than digging up a new trench.”
Hartong said the forth component — the force main bypass costing an estimated $943,915 — is the section of pipe from U.S. Highway 264 that will bypass the three main pump stations in Belhaven and carry wastewater directly to the wastewater treatment plant.
The estimated cost of all the projects is $2,661,985. However, the funding for California Street pump station and force main bypass has been prorated based on combined project cost.
“Essentially, the California Street pump station will eventually take care of Pantego, both schools and linear bay development,” Hartong said.
The town will receive funding assistance/grants of $1 million from the USDA’s Rural Center and $830,993 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, with a interest rate of about 2.22 percent. The money would be paid back over 20 years, with an annual payment of about $52,000.
Councilman Nelson Guy made the motion to apply for money from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. That money, if awarded, would enable the town to construct the sewer bypass and the in-town sewer improvements. Councilman McKee “Mac” Pigott Jr. seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by the council.