MEXICO — Selectmen on Tuesday night moved a step closer toward applying for a Community Development Block Grant to pay for new water and sewer lines along Alder and South Main streets.
Town Manager John Madigan said the money would be used in conjunction with road improvements on those streets. Work on the sewer and water lines are needed before road construction can begin, he said this past fall.
Selectmen voted to authorize him to send a letter of intent to apply for the grant. The application deadline is March 4.
CDBGs are given for community and economic development projects that meet certain criteria.
In November 2009 the town borrowed $2.2 million through bonds for road improvements and has improved several sections of roads in town. Last year, Madigan attempted to pursue the same federal public infrastructure grant of up to $500,000 but learned in the spring that the town would not be awarded the money.
Madigan also conducted studies that showed the town met criteria for the grant, including proof that areas needing improvement were considered low-income neighborhoods. He said he would be able to use those studies when applying for the grant, saving the town time and money.
The town manager also informed the board that construction work on Backkingdom Road ended for the season right after Christmas. He said due to good weather, the crews were able to dig 200 to 225 feet a day until frost set in.
The board also discussed savings in the public works department with lack of snow. Madigan said the town trucks were still needed for spreading sand and salt but the budget for the department was in good shape because there was no need to plow.
During the review of the monthly town budget, questions were raised by Reggie Arsenault concerning the Mexico Recreation Department and cost accrued in improving the gym.
Madigan said he learned that the town should be receiving a $10,000 check from the Marshall L. and Ruth-Anne Gibson Municipal Charitable Program to help cover the costs. He also said the new basketball program would be bringing in money in February.
Recreation director Wayne Sevigny has repainted the gym, reopened the boarded-up balcony and repaired the basketball backboards for the program.
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