NEWTON GROVE — An additional $9,000 was added to the grant funding Newton Grove received during an emergency meeting late last month, increasing the amount to $340,000 for repairs to the wastewater treatment plant.
Newton Grove Mayor Craig Warren presented the Board of Commissioners with multiple resolutions for approval Monday regarding the town’s wastewater treatment plant, one of which required an additional $9,000 for the contractor who will replace the electrical panels that run the pumps at the plant.
Warren explained that when the town held its emergency meeting Aug. 31, he was unaware the additional $9,000 would be needed, but said the funds would also come from grant money.
“We’re having to jump through all these hoops,” Warren stressed, adding that the electrician is waiting for approval so the process can begin.
“Next up would be having the water tanks cleaned,” the mayor said during the meeting.
“We’ll have to buy county water during that time,” Town Clerk Amanda Baggett added.
After the meeting, Warren and Baggett clarified the additional funds and paperwork the board approved Monday.
The mayor compared the process to a cog in a machine, explaining that when one cog gets messed up, it affects the entire operation.
“The cog missed a couple steps,” he stressed.
With the additional grant funds allocated, Warren said the contractor will be able to begin the process of replacing the electrical panels at the plant.
“Some grants have more paperwork,” he added, saying it is “quite an ordeal to get all the steps in order.”
Warren explained that having the resolutions in place following Monday’s meeting will also help prepare the town for future grant opportunities.
“We hope this will help fast-track the grant acceptance process,” Warren said, adding that there are some grants the town would not be able to apply for without already having the resolutions in place. The board was required to adopt the resolutions during an official public meeting.
This is “just catching us up,” Warren explained.
The other resolutions commissioners unanimously adopted were New Supply Well, Pump Station Improvements, Water System Improvements Phase 1 and Wastewater Treatment Plant Phase 1. Warren said the resolutions will allow Newton Grove to apply for and accept future grants for improvements to its water and wastewater systems.
In addition to the $340,000 in grant funds for wastewater treatment plant repairs, $20,513 in town funds has been allocated toward ongoing repairs at the plant.