The town of Clymer is set to move forward with applying for a CDBG grant this year for the water system upgrade project. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

CLYMER — As plans and work continues for the town of Clymer’s large-scale water system upgrade, the town is looking to apply for a Community Development Block Grant once again.

A public hearing was held during the town’s July meeting before approval of applying for the grant was given, as was required. Town Supervisor Brian Willink said the CDBG grant is something that is awarded every year and something the town can apply for every year, though they did not receive any funding from it after applying last year. With the help of the engineers on the water project, the town will be applying for a $2 million CDBG grant. There were no public comments, allowing for the town to move forward with approving a resolution to apply for the grant.

“One of the things on this grant that I had to attest is that the town of Clymer has not had any housing discrimination proceedings … in the last 10 years, so I signed that and we had to verify for the fiscal year April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, that the town of Clymer has $0 in CDBG program income,” Willink said. “All of our answers agree with everything they say on the grant, so we will forward this up to our engineers and hopefully we have some success this time.”

Willink added that they should know more probably after the first of the year.

Also with the water project the town has held their pre-construction kick off meeting with the engineers, who are planning to begin work in September 2025. Game planning has been going on behind the scenes, and Willink added that the Department of Transportation’s planned project is continuing alongside that as well.

“We’re trying to work through and with the DOT to get them what they need so they don’t come in and screw us up and vice versa,” Willink said. “I did actually make some contact with the DOT this month and they were concerned with some of the water runoff downtown by the school.”

Areas in front of Clymer Central School are known to get flooded during heavy rains, including one time a few months ago, and Willink said videos sent to the DOT by Highway Superintendent Scott Trisket and Board Member Levi Swanson helped the DOT get an idea of what happens during that time. Willink said part of the DOT’s project will include extra effort to work through some drainage issues there.

“The last I heard they are still planning to put bids out in fall 2026 for work in 2027,” Willink said.

Willink said overall with the water system upgrade project he is feeling pretty good about things, adding that the water project engineers hope to be substantially done by September 2026, contingent on the weather and the DOT project.