At its July 26 meeting the Salina Town Board unanimously authorized $5.3 million worth of sewer system improvements.
The cost to the town will be about $3.8 because the town was recently awarded a grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for $1.46 million to use on Mattydale’s sanitary sewer system. That $4.6 million project will make upgrades to the sewer system to help alleviate overflow issues.
The five-member board also OKed repairs in the Galeville sewer district at a cost of $693,034. Town Engineer James Trasher of Clough Harbour & Assocs., said the work in Galeville will replace certain sanitary sewers and reduce the inflow of groundwater infiltration into the system.
The $1.46M Environmental Facilities Corporation grant will help pay for the Mattydale repairs, said Salina Town Supervisor Mark Nicotra. “And the project will create a boost in quality of life for the residents this affects,” he added.
The EFC grant originated with Congressional legislation which appropriated money for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Administered in New York state by EFC, the CWSRF provides loans to municipalities for the construction, replacement and improvement of water infrastructure. Communities across the state, such as Mattydale, will benefit from the revolving fund.
“The grant comes to the town in the form of principle forgiveness,” Nicotra said, “which means that a loan the town has applied for from EFC will be reduced by the grant amount.” Along with low-interest financing from EFC, the grant will save Salina taxpayers more than $2 million in principle and interest costs, he said.
“The town board looks for every opportunity not only to improve the quality of life for Salina residents but to do it in an efficient and affordable manner,” Nicotra said. “Funding like the EFC grant helps us do more for our residents, without increasing the burden on the taxpayers.”
