The village of Sherman has been awarded a $1.25 million grant to move forward with its Main Street stormwater infrastructure improvement project.

The Community Development Block Grant was awarded on Nov. 9 by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation through the state Office of Community Renewal, said Sherman Mayor Colleen Meeder.

“This is a critical piece to begin addressing the costly deteriorating ‘gray’ stormwater infrastructure with the connection, correct sizing, and replacement of pipes along East Main Street from Franklin Street to the school park entrance and the intersecting Miller and Franklin Streets,” Meeder said. “This is the anchor project of a multi-phase, comprehensive stormwater improvement project that will include trail development and Complete Street elements.”

Meeder said the grant could not have been more well-timed. “This is going to address a very serious and timely need in replacing, correct-sizing, and connecting the stormwater infrastructure system that serves our businesses, residents, and greater community,” she said.

Meeder noted that the village of Sherman is currently in the final stages of two infrastructure improvement projects, the wastewater treatment plant project and the drinking water improvement project.

“We are very appreciative of this opportunity to tackle the third largest infrastructure component that serves the village and greater community,” she said.

Meeder went on to say that the award will allow the village to proceed with a critical project minimizing the burden to the taxpayers.

“This large and essential infrastructure system comes with a significant cost without any direct revenue source outside of the tax base,” she said. “Therefore, this award brings a great relief to the burden on the residents and businesses, while ensuring the safety and preservation of our other infrastructure.”

The $1.25 million in CDBG funding will be applied directly to construction costs.

“The village of Sherman accepted this award on behalf of the community it serves, to be applied to the construction, understanding the tight schedule requiring a spring 2024 start,” Meeder said.

She said the village is prepared to move ahead with this project because it completed many essential steps leading up to construction. These steps include securing a $3.5 million USDA loan with a 1.25% interest rate, completing the Preliminary Engineering Report in 2019-2020, completing the State Environmental Quality Review, and surveying the project area.

Meeder gave kudos to the village’s engineering firm, Barton & Loguidice for their work on obtaining the award. She also thanked business owners, community members and members of regional public offices that sent support letters for the grant.