BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson City Council took no formal action but a consensus of Council members on Monday night felt they should table a service line replacement project because the city simply can’t afford it right now.
City Manager Brandon Mersman says Bronson received notification from the State of Michigan’s Environment Great Lakes and Energy Department that the City qualified as a “disadvantaged” community under the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. This status would allow the City to receive loan forgiveness up to $3 million for a potential grant and loan.
EGLE has mandated that the City replace all lead and non-copper service lines by 2040. The Council last month gave conditional approval to an agreement with Prein & Newhof that would have them prepare a work plan for this program at a cost of $30,000.
But EGLE has placed a $5,000 limit for each service line replacement for the loan forgiveness, the City would be responsible for the rest along with engineering fees and Mersman said that would lead a big economic impact.
He also pointed out there are a number of important projects coming up in Bronson such as this summer’s Ruggles Street project, the need to begin replacing water meters over the next 4 to 5 years and repainting the interior and exterior of the water tower.
While Mersman felt the City could not afford to pass up funding like this, the City would have to contribute significant funds to complete this work including a 55 percent match.
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