04/23/2009
By Lisa Loomis
The town of Waitsfield received $5.5 million in USDA grants and loans towards its $7.6 million municipal water project.
That money included $800,000 more than the town had anticipated. In an Earth Day ceremony on April 22 town officials were presented with a $3.014 million loan and a $2.5 million grant from the USDA's water and environmental program.
THREE VOTES
The USDA, through its Rural Development programs, is funding water and wastewater infrastructure projects in local communities across the country to mark the 39th anniversary of Earth Day. Waitsfield is 1 of 56 projects in 34 states to have been selected to receive loan and grant funds for infrastructure improvements to improve environmental quality.
The water project, which was approved by voters in November (after three votes), will cost $7.6 million and the town has the USDA grant and loans for $5.5 million and also has $1,976,000 in an EPA STAG grant. The cost of the system will be paid for by users.
The system is planned for Waitsfield Village and Irasville, and users along the Tremblay Road and the Old County Road can also sign on.
CRITICAL PIECE
At Wednesday's ceremony, Ted Brady from Senator Leahy's office, Rhonda Shippee, acting state director for USDA Rural Development, Liz Walker, from Friends of the Mad River, and others spoke, as did select board chair Kate Williams.
"The town has been working to bring municipal water to Waitsfield citizens for more than 10 years. Rural Development's support has been a critical piece toward getting us to this point and to help us address this real need," Williams said.
VALUABLE RESOURCE
"USDA Rural Development's Water and Environmental Program has been a valuable resource for communities seeking to provide safe, drinkable water to residents and businesses. The Town of Waitsfield's commitment to protect the water quality of the Mad River, provide for economic development and address public health concerns resulting from the lack of a public water system has been exceptional," said Rhonda Shippee, acting state director for USDA Rural Development. "Rural Development is pleased to be a part of this project."
With receipt of the funding, the town will continue work on permitting the project, which could start as early as this summer depending on how long permitting takes.
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