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BUSTI – The Busti Town Board is moving ahead with the next steps on a $5.28 million water project as it looks for the remaining 30% of the project's cost.
Andy Johnson presented a proposal from EcoStrategies during a recent Busti Town Board meeting regarding engineering, diagnostic design and permitting for a portion of the water extension project. The proposed $5.82 million project was approved in May 2024, and is a 2.1 mile loop that begins at the five-way intersection in Busti and runs to Busti-Sugar Grove Road, Lawson Road and Mill Road to the intersection to complete the loop. The proposed expansion is expected to service about 106 users, Matt Zarbo of EcoStrategies said during a Busti Town Board meeting earlier this year.
The proposed water storage tank will be located on Orr Street, and will be connected, and maintained, by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. The tank is expected to be about 30 feet high and could be surrounded by trees to minimize the visual impact on neighbors.
Busti has received a $4,074,000 state Environmental Facilities Corp. grant that covers about 70% of the project cost. The proposed engineering portion discussed earlier this month was stated to be $666,000 which is 16% of the project cost. The scope of services includes surveying, geotechnical work, environmental and biological work, permitting, land acquisitions, easements, bid-phase services, construction-phase services, funding assistance and related services. Beginning the engineering and design work will take six months and allow the project to be prepared for bidding in the spring.
Board members discussed the possibility of obtaining additional grant funding and the importance of having the project ready to go when applying for additional funding. Discussion was held regarding whether the project could be reduced or completed in phases if all of the remaining funding was not obtained. The board was advised that additional information would be obtained regarding the possibility of completing a partial project and the use of the existing approved funding. The board discussed the timing of the EFC loan closing and the possibility of approving the engineering agreement at the October meeting after additional information regarding funding is available. It was stated that the engineering work would allow the town to continue pursuing grants and could improve the town’s ability to obtain the remaining funding.
Board members unanimously approved the engineering proposal contingent on information that the town can amend the project and get more information regarding funding and project options.
Earlier this year, the board discussed four funding options. The first scenario is to just use the EFC Grant which would cost users about $1,218 per year. The No. 2 scenario would use the EFT grant and a possible hardship loan that, if received, would result in users paying about $934 per year. A third scenario was using the EFC grant and potentially a CDBG grant that, if received, would lower costs to about $932 per year for users. A fourth scenario was using the EFC grant and being awarded both a hardship loan and CDBG funding. The fourth option would lower costs to about $745 per year for users.
The town applied in June for $2 million in CDBG funds, but no funding decisions have been made yet.
In other news, Jesse Robbins, town supervisor, said the town received a request from Gary and Mary Johnson requesting that the speed limit be reduced to 45 miles per hour on Nutt Road between Shady Side Road and Big Tree Road. The board unanimously approved sending a request to the county Highway Department for review.