OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Matthew Zarbo, Director of Engineering at E&B Squared consulting and engineering firm, presented a plan to the Cassadaga Village Board regarding avenues for grant funding for the Village’s proposed water system project.

CASSADAGA — The Village of Cassadaga spent what could eventually look like a drop in the bucket for the potential to save the Village from a waterfall of issues in the future.

The Village Board recently amended a previous motion in order to hire E&B Squared Consulting and Engineering, at a cost of $20,000, to conduct an Engineering Report for a water system capital project. The report will then be used in submissions for grant funding of the potential project.

Matthew Zarbo, Director of Engineering at E&B Squared Consulting and Engineering, presented a plan to the Cassadaga Village Board at a recent meeting regarding avenues for grant funding for the Village’s proposed water system project. Several residents, including Sean and Teri Seibert, Deborah Metzger, and Judith Garncarek, were in attendance to hear what Zarbo had to say.

Zarbo and his associate, Andrew Meyerhofer, an engineer, presented for roughly 45 minutes regarding specific grant opportunities for the Village to pursue. Zarbo expressed to the Board that while his firm, E&B Squared Engineering, is starting a new venture in the engineering scope, he is very experienced in securing funding for municipalities, specifically geared toward capital projects focused on water systems.

“We can take you from planning and funding the concept through, essentially, completion, and walk the community through every step of the process,” Zarbo said. “That’s where we have excelled and we have done that quite a bit down in this area in particular.”

Zarbo noted that he has previously secured substantial grant funding for water projects in Mayville, Sherman, Springville, Little Valley, Clymer and Chautauqua County, among many others. The project in Sherman, specifically, received several million dollars of grant funding.

“Grant funding is extremely critical. It’s something that we have definitely excelled in (obtaining) and it’s why we’ve grown in this area,” Zarbo said.

Zarbo recently met with Department of Public Works Supervisor Sam Alaimo and toured the Village to conduct a brief analysis of the current water system. A new water source might be required, while several water mains will need to be replaced and many water meters will also need to be replaced.

“Big picture, it’s a multimillion dollar project,” Zarbo said. He noted that an engineering report will provide a more definitive figure.

Zarbo explained the availability of specific grants, beginning with the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. That specific funding route can provide up to 60% of net project cost, up to $5 million for a project. The deadline to apply is June 14.

Zarbo also referenced the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the USDA Rural Development Grant program, as well as Congressional Earmark funding. The CDBG deadline is in July; while the Rural Development Grant program is a rolling program. Congressional Earmark funding is contingent upon government representatives, such as Congressman Nick Langworthy, to award funding to their district. Zarbo “heavily” suggested the Village reach out to request Congressional Earmark funding and offered his assistance in doing so.

To be eligible for the majority of grant funding avenues, the Village would need to submit an Engineering Report, a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) document issuing a negative declaration, and a bond resolution. A public hearing and permissive referendum would also likely be required, which puts an aggressive timeline at approximately three months away before submission.

The Village will also need to enter into a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process, in which engineers will be sought to submit proposals for the project. Once the Village selects a firm to proceed, the scope of the project will be negotiated and a contract can be executed. Zarbo noted that the process typically takes 2-3 months.

Zarbo stated that based off his experience, he believes within one to two years, the Village is likely to receive WIIA funding. He believes the Village is much more likely to receive funding from other avenues if the Village first attempts to receive WIIA funding through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The WIIA grant can be combined with other grants to surpass the 60% funding it offers.

“Should we be your consultant, we will throw your project at the wall of every funding agency out there. I will give you my honest opinion of where I think you have a chance and where you don’t, and that’s based on significant experience in this funding field,” Zarbo said.

Zarbo also noted that the project in its entirety will likely take between 4-6 years to fully complete.

“I wouldn’t push it off. I would get a report in,” Zarbo said. “Are there going to be some headaches? … Absolutely. But I don’t think you’re in a position of imminent failure.”