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Sand Mountain Reporter | Geraldine unveils sewer system

 

Geraldine unveils sewer system
By Malarie Allen | Sand Mountain Reporter | April 29, 2013

 

The town of Geraldine has the chance to increase economic development and safety for its citizens and businesses with federal funding recently received for a new sewer system.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt and state USDA Rural Development Program Director Ronald W. Davis visited Town Hall Monday afternoon to announce a grant of more than $2.5 million and a loan of $930,000 from the Rural Development program.

The grant is one of 43 water and wastewater projects being funded by the federal program in 32 states as part of the USDA’s Earth Day celebration, according to information received from the state director’s office.

Geraldine Mayor Chuck Ables gave credit to former mayor Billy Smothers and the former council, who began working on plans and funding for a sewer system in 2008.

“This is a great day for the town of Geraldine,” Mayor Chuck Ables said. “It is a great benefit to the businesses in town, but it is also of benefit to the citizens in ways beyond measure.

“Studies show our land to be highly saturated and the need is critical to get away from traditional septic tanks and field lines that are becoming more and more expensive to install and maintain. The health benefits are also very important.”

The sewer system is of particular benefit to the school in Geraldine, which has been running its own small-scale sewer treatment plant for years.

“It’s very expensive for them to keep up and they have to meet all the (U.S.) Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations. They spend a lot of money on that. They’re real excited about getting the sewer system.”

The town previously purchased 25 acres of land on County Road 52 in preparation for a future sewer system. This is the planned location of the treatment plant.

The sewer project is expected to cost around $3.45 million. Town leaders have decided on 174 residents and 40 businesses that will be served by the system, according to Ables.

“We’ve got a map with those pinpointed locations on it with plans on expanding in the future,” he said.

Ables thanked Aderholt, Davis and state Rep. Kerry Rich for “making this possible for the citizens of our town.”

To show their appreciation, the brief ceremony at Town Hall on Monday afternoon was followed by a meeting in the town park where leaders planted a tree in appreciation of Aderholt and to recognize Earth Day, which was April 22.

 

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