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Grants a focus for Fillmore water projects
FILLMORE -- Knowing that Fillmore has been in need of water improvements, town officials have been looking forward to a full plan to address issues such as flooding.
Dave Kieser of Kieser Consulting presented the Fillmore Town Council with a comprehensive master utility study during a special meeting held last Thursday evening.
The plan includes an improvement to address pooling and flooding on the north side of town. Kieser proposed the installation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping as the best option due to its resistance to corrosion.
In a nutshell, the streets that would be involved here include Cemetery Road, North Street and Center Street. The total cost of this part is estimated at $3,350,124.
Fillmore’s drinking water, Kieser said, was in relatively good shape, considering that the current water main system was installed in 1999. He also praised the town for having scheduled maintenance on the town’s water tower. The main issue here is getting efficient water meter readings.
Kieser advised that an automatic reading system was more efficient manpower-wise than a drive-by reader. This would allow the clerk-treasurer to “press a button and ‘boom’” on every property. Two reading towers would be set up in the town.
The estimated price for the automated system would be between $235,000-$280,000. Kieser said up to 230 water meters could be replaced.
As to wastewater, Kieser said the town’s piping was in good condition. However, he stressed that Fillmore’s lift stations have outdated electrical systems which need replacing, besides being old themselves. Kieser also provided that new concrete would need poured to better secure the lift stations.
The total cost for updating the lift stations, including concrete, would be estimated at $136,343.
“This is a battleship we’re trying to turn around in a small lake,” Kieser said. To do so, he emphasized the need to be as cost-efficient as possible and getting “creative” with securing grant money.
Kieser said there are options with funding the HDPE project. Fillmore can work with the West Central Indiana Economic Development District, which has the town in its comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). Priority could be given to this project with a grant covering up to 80 percent of the cost.
A grant could also be awarded from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, in which the total would be matched 80-20 percent by the town. Another source would be a Community Crossings grant, in which it would be a 75-25 percent match.
As to the automated water meter system, Kieser recently said the town could qualify for a USDA grant covering up to 75 percent of the cost. Fillmore qualifies for a loan interest rate of 1.250 percent from the USDA, since the median household income is below $46,748. However, this rate is good until Dec. 31.
In the only action taken pertaining to drinking water, the council approved for Kieser to move forward with identifying grants for new water mains in the future.
As to covering wastewater, Kieser said grant funding through the USDA and the State Revolving Fund were available.
Ultimately, the master utility plan is the document which justifies Fillmore’s need for funding. Grant administrator Kristy Jerrell, who the former town council tapped in May 2019, will facilitate these grant applications.
Kieser also suggested the town could refinance existing bonds to free up more money. He said he had been communicating with Steve Brock of Therber Brock and Associates on this possibility. Town Attorney Jeff Boggess agreed that this was something worth looking more into.
Kieser reminded the council that its application for a Community Crossings matching grant to resurface Putnam Street was due Oct. 23. This project totals $172,875, but the grant would be 75-25. As such, the town’s match would be $43,218.75.
Kieser said the town would find out by November if its application was accepted. The resurfacing is slated to be a project for 2021.