Roachdale applies for water grant
ROACHDALE -- With a little luck, better drinking water could be coming to Roachdale by next year.
At a special public notice meeting on Wednesday the town council announced plans to apply for a grant that would widen pipes and replace meters and fire hydrants in town.
The grant comes from the Community Focus Fund, which will hear about 60 proposals and select 20-30 each year, grant writer Viki Powers said.
Although water quality is not a major issue, the water flow in town would be greatly improved in town by installing broader lines and looping the complete system.
The plan would also change the individual meters to a new electronic system.
"That's the ideal situation for a small town," Powers said.
This was the second public hearing for the grant, with the first being held in January.
Applications are due on June 8.
Powers said that although it normally takes two or three years for a grant to be approved for a given town, Roachdale has a few factors that weigh in its favor.
The relatively low median income and high unemployment, along with the town's willingness to front a large percentage of the costs themselves, all play in Roachdale's favor.
The CFF asks towns to pay 10 percent of the cost.
Roachdale, which would add $271,550 to the $500,000 grant, is offering 35 percent.
The town will not be told if it would receive the grant until late summer.