Council OK's application for sewer plant funds

The Cathlamet Town Council voted Tuesday to apply for a federal grant to begin construction of a new waste water treatment plant.

In other business, the council voted 4-1 to authorize Mayor George Wehrfritz to lead an effort for a grant application for upgrading a trail to Angle Street, and the council approved a long term lease of the Pioneer Church from the Pioneer Community Association.

A variety of factors led the council to apply for funds to begin waste water plant construction.

Two years ago, the plant was estimated to cost $12 million, which would necessitate sewer bills around $100. However, said engineer Ken Alexander, Gray and Osborne Engineers, the construction climate has changed, and the cost will be closer to $8.4 million.

Councilor David Goodroe said at that cost, the town would be required to fund $4.6 million, 55 percent of the cost. A US Department of Agriculture grant would cover $3.78 million. The rate to customers would probably end up close to $72-$75 per month, he said, which is close to the federally recommended guideline based on median household income.

Alexander added that colleagues had re-estimated the maintenance and operation cost and found that it would be lower than originally estimated.

Alexander and Goodroe noted that if bids came in higher than expected, the town could reject them and leave the project till better funding comes along.

"There are a couple of risks involved," said Councilor Bob Rendler, "but we have to take these risks."

"Time is of the essence," Alexander said. "We have to get it out on the street. There are contractors out there who are real hungry and will cut their bids to the bone."

The council passed a motion by Goodroe to apply for the funding so the project could go to bid. The council has already authorized Gray and Osborne to prepare plans for a call for bids, in case a funding package fell into place.

The council also:

--Authorized Mayor Wehrfritz to pursue an application for a $49,000 grant to improve the trail from the town hall parking lot to Angle Street as part of a town center project.

--Approved a lease with the Pioneer Community Association to lease the Pioneer Church. The agreement will allow the center to fall under the town's insurance policies; the association will be responsible for building maintenance.

Councilor Wally Wright indicated he was concerned about a possible loss of parking spaces and voted against the motion to go for the grant.