By Joshua Archer
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE – A public hearing was held by the Town of Limestone to discuss the acceptance of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for water and sewer facility improvements at the June 10 Loring Development Authority (LDA) board meeting.
The only public comment during the hearing came from residents of Manser Drive about the living conditions of their homes and surrounding areas, and did not concern the public hearing. The LDA recently acquired properties on Manser Drive and said they are aware of the complaints pertaining to those properties. “We know we have some challenges with that property,” Carl Flora, LDA President and CEO, said.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Joshua Archer
Loring Development Authority Board members listen to presentations at their June 10 meeting. Back table from left, Miles Williams, Richard Ezzy, Carl Flora, Viki Page. Front table from left, Thomas Clowes, Carol Bell, Dana Saucier and Doug Damon.
The proposed drinking water infrastructure improvements, at an estimated cost of $1,007,780, include upgrades at the water treatment plant and in the distribution system focused on the reduction of disinfection by-products (DBP). The proposed upgrade includes improvements at the treatment plant and the conversion of an underground water storage tank to an aeration vessel.
The proposed sewer improvements, at an estimated cost of $504,000, will consist of replacing approximately 3,000 of old sewer lines, manholes and services with new PVC sewer pipe, precast concrete manholes, and disconnecting existing catch basins and roof drains. The proposed project will remove approximately 200,000 to 300,000 gdp of peak surface water infiltration into the collection system, reducing the volume of water being treated at the wastewater treatment plant. The reduction in wastewater to the treatment facility will result in lower energy and operational costs and minimize the potential of sewer overflow.
CDBG funds for sewer collection improvements and water system improvements total $1 million. A Drinking Water Program will match funds for water system improvements at $507,780.
Construction on the project is expected to begin later this summer and go into October of 2016.
The LDA board will meet again on Wednesday, Sept. 9 in the LDA boardroom.
