Farwell Village okays $1.1 million water project
With two votes, each 5-2 in favor, Farwell Village approved preliminary work on two infrastructure projects for the coming year.
Council members Elton Marshall and James Conlay voted against the projects.
Tom Bihlmeyer of Wade Trim explained the projects.
A $1.1 million, low interest United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development loan will pay for 15 blocks of improvements in the Village next year: new water mains on all, storm drains on three to four blocks and curb and gutter on three blocks with new pavement on all the streets involved. The project will include portions of Michigan Street, Ohio Street, Wright Street, Hayes Street and Ellen Street.
To qualify for the project, the Village had to approve an increase in the water usage fee for residents from approximately $19 to $21.50. The increase offsets a deficit in the water department.
The second project, totaling $655,000, will be funded with $492,601 in Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement (ICE) grant funds [a Community Development Block Grant] and a $162,499 local match. It involves replacing a four inch water main with eight inch lines, storm sewers; road rebuilding and 1,300 feet of curb and gutter on one block of South Superior, from Main to Illinois and on Superior Street from the railroad tracks to the intersection of Maple Grove.
Construction on both projects should begin in the spring, according to Department of Public Works Supervisor Aaron Moline.
The Council approved engineering for the larger project through Wade Trim and a water rate study by the Rural Community Assistance Program through USDA-RD. They also okayed for Wade Trim to begin the application process for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant. They also approved Miller Canfield to coordinate bond documents and arrange for the payoff of the existing $200,000 loan with money from the water fund surplus.
In another matter County Commissioner Lynn Grim reported that the County Board of Commissioners has approved a Lease with the new Clare Fourth Street Senior project. She said the Clare Senior Services will base their main kitchen at the new Clarecastle on Fourth Street, when the project is completed next year.
Grim also reported that broad band service will be extended to the Sheriff’s Department and County building. Cost to extend the service from Hillside Elementary to the county buildings will be $9,000 she said with an additional cost of $4,000 to hook up.
She reported that the 2010 budget was adopted with expenses totaling $10,367,595, considerably less than the previous $12 million budget.
Other business at the Farwell Village Council meeting included:
*A zoning report by Dave Williams.
*The Sheriff’s Department report.
*The DPW report including an approval for the Health Care Savings Plan for employees and approval for the Village to pay each participating employee’s annual $25 fee this year.
*Payment of bills totaling $58,613.78.
