FARMINGTON – Following a public hearing, selectmen gave their enthusiastic approval to move forward on securing grant funding for utility upgrades to the low- to moderate-income housing development at 82 High Street during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The application for a Community Development Block Grant proposes $360,000 in funding to provide new sewer, water and natural gas lines to the residences on Sawtelle Lane that include three apartment buildings with a total of 13 units and 17 mobile homes.
The plan includes another $36,000 to be secured by the development’s board of directors for the project upgrade through the Genesis Community Loan Fund and $4,000 coming from in-kind work for a project total of $400,000.
Steve Kaiser, the town’s code enforcement officer, said if everything moves according to plans, construction could be completed next summer.
Selectman Chair Ryan Morgan noted he has served on the board of directors for the residential development and is pleased with the progress that been made to remodel the older mobile homes, and in one case, replacing one older home with a new one.
“82 High Street has changed greatly,” Morgan said, thanks to the remodeling work completed so far. Things look a lot better over there. The all-volunteer board has done wonders.”
Board member Erick Apland said the next step is to look at possibly having to replace the three apartment buildings of the development.
In other matters, selectmen voted 3-1 for a cost-of-living wage increase of 1.5 percent for town employees next year. That figure is based on the national consumer price index average over a period of the last 12 months for wage earners.
Last year’s cost-of-living adjustment was virtually identical at 1.56 percent, noted Town Manager Richard Davis. He said he expects health insurance costs for municipal personnel to increase by 10 percent next year. Employees pay half of any increase for an expected 5 percent jump.
“In some cases, it (rise in health insurance costs) could wipe out any cost-of-living increase,” Davis said.
Selectmen voted 3-1, with Selectman Joshua Bell opposed. Bell said with the next budget review looming, he is reluctant to add in any increases. Selectman Stephan Bunker was absent from the meeting.
Selectmen also approved hiring Scott Bouchard of Industry to fill a mechanic position at the Public Works Department. Bouchard had been working for the town of Industry’s highway department.
