Fremont Sanitation District officials last week urged residents who live within the boundaries of the newly created North Canon Sewer Improvement District to sign contract documents soon if they have not already done so. Sanitation District Manager George Medaris said the funding is now secured for the $3.3 million project in the form of a $1.3 million Community Development Block Grant and a $2 million loan from the Colorado Water and Power Development Authority. He discussed details of the project at a meeting Thursday evening at Skyline Elementary School.
Medaris said because more than half of the property owners within the district boundaries have signed contracts, the creation of the district by the Fremont County Commissioners last fall means everyone must sign a contract to participate in the funding available. Medaris said "Everybody will connect and remaining property owners must sign". There are 176 residences in the area.
Medaris said the only thing that could possibly stop the project now is if bids come up unexpectedly high. But Medaris said that with current economic conditions and with fuel and steel prices down, they expect very competitive bidding. He said bid documents are now being prepared and he would still like to see the project get started in early June.
Medaris said current estimates are that each property owner would have to pay about $47 monthly to pay off the $2 million 'zero' percent loan over twenty years. That would be in addition to the standard $18.30 monthly sewer fee.
Medaris raised another option that could help reduce the cost to residents. He said Fremont Sanitation District has also applied to the Colorado Water and Power Development Authority for some of the federal stimulus money. Medaris said he wants to caution people not to get their hopes too high but added that he's been told the North Canon Sewer project could be a perfect fit for use of the stimulus money by creating jobs and assisting low income families.
In addition Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments Executive Director Judy Lohnes announced that there will be additional funding for some low income residents to help them pay for the cost to remove their old septic tanks. The Fremont County Commissioners inquired after last November's public hearing about the availability of other funds. Lohnes said $300 is being offered by the Area Agency on Aging to people who meet both income and age qualifications. Lohnes said residents should call the Council of Governments Office at 275-8350 for information and an application.
Medaris said because more than half of the property owners within the district boundaries have signed contracts, the creation of the district by the Fremont County Commissioners last fall means everyone must sign a contract to participate in the funding available. Medaris said "Everybody will connect and remaining property owners must sign". There are 176 residences in the area.
Medaris said the only thing that could possibly stop the project now is if bids come up unexpectedly high. But Medaris said that with current economic conditions and with fuel and steel prices down, they expect very competitive bidding. He said bid documents are now being prepared and he would still like to see the project get started in early June.
Medaris said current estimates are that each property owner would have to pay about $47 monthly to pay off the $2 million 'zero' percent loan over twenty years. That would be in addition to the standard $18.30 monthly sewer fee.
Medaris raised another option that could help reduce the cost to residents. He said Fremont Sanitation District has also applied to the Colorado Water and Power Development Authority for some of the federal stimulus money. Medaris said he wants to caution people not to get their hopes too high but added that he's been told the North Canon Sewer project could be a perfect fit for use of the stimulus money by creating jobs and assisting low income families.
In addition Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments Executive Director Judy Lohnes announced that there will be additional funding for some low income residents to help them pay for the cost to remove their old septic tanks. The Fremont County Commissioners inquired after last November's public hearing about the availability of other funds. Lohnes said $300 is being offered by the Area Agency on Aging to people who meet both income and age qualifications. Lohnes said residents should call the Council of Governments Office at 275-8350 for information and an application.