|
Town of Denmark Awarded NYS DEC Water Quality Improvement
Project Grant
Published: February 20, 2024
at 10:45 a.m.
By: Press Release from Town of Denmark
TOWN OF DENMARK AWARDED NY STATE DEC WQIP GRANT
 On February 15, 2024, Governor Hochul
announced $146 million in Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grants
across the State. The grants will support projects that protect drinking
water, combat contributors to harmful algal blooms, update aging water
infrastructure, and improve aquatic habitat in communities statewide.
The Town of
Denmark applied for a Water Quality Improvement Project Grant with the
assistance of the Tug Hill Commission & Lewis County
Planning Department. Town Supervisor Scott Doyle noted this was the
last year the NY State DEC grants will cover 75% of projected costs. Supervisor
Doyle gives credit for the grant completion to Tug Hill Commission's
Gabriel Yerdon. "Without Mr. Yerdon's dedication to this project
it would not have been possible to complete the application on time."
The Town of
Denmark was awarded $600,000 of the $750,000 to construct Salt Storage
Facility to cover its current salt & sand pile at its Town Complex on
Roberts Road in Deer River. The Water Quality Improvement Grant covers 75%
of the project cost. Highway Superintendent Patrick Mahar and the
Town Board have committed the Town Highway Department to provide
approximately $73,533 in labor and materials to the project for site
preparation. The Town will bond approximately $76,467 over a period of 5
years. Supervisor Doyle notes that he and Town Board members Fred
Wadsworth, Frank Fazio Jr., Peter Jones, and Darlene Rowsam
have worked hard to formulate a plan so there will be no tax increase to town
taxpayers. This will be accomplished by utilizing projected savings from
installing a Solar Array that meets the Town's energy needs to offset the
project’s bond payment.
This grant will
protect 55 private drinking wells and the Deer River from runoff
contamination and taxpayers from potential future contamination.
The structure is designed to hold 5000 tons of sand/salt mixture, it
will allow salt & sand to be mixed to prevent freezing. The Town will
have the added benefit of improved safety for Highway Department employees,
eliminating the need to climb trucks and remove frozen sand.
A list of all
awards is available at: https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/WQIP.pdf
IMAGE: Contractor’s
rendition of the proposed Salt Storage Facility for the Town of Denmark
|
