Chambana Sun

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Village of Mansfield Board heard an update on water infrastructure plans.

The board has been looking into a new water treatment plant and some water main projects. The cost for the water treatment plant would be $1.7 million, and although the water main project was originally estimated at $800,000, it has now risen by 50% to $1.2 million. 

The projects together would cost just under $3 million, and Tom Overmeyer, the representative from engineering firm Fehr-Graham, does not think it will drastically change the utility rates for residents, as the current $28 a month would cover the water treatment plant. He cautioned that doing both projects might raise rates slightly in the next few years if the village does not get the full EPA and principal forgiveness grants.

“There was some cost built in there for that, and of course, you know, we had some contingency built in,” Overmeyer said. “But what I’m saying is, based on this preliminary number of 1.7 and 50% loan forgiveness, which you would qualify for, your current rate would cover it. Now you can say principal forgiveness disappeared and we could anticipate the rate would have been $34 for the water treatment plant, plus the meters.”

The board is already progressing with the water treatment plant project, and were supposed to decide on whether or not it wanted to add the meters into the project as well. Board members asked if the village desperately needed to put in more meters now or if it should wait 5-10 years to see if it was a better situation. Overmeyer advised that the 50% loan forgiveness the board was offered was a great opportunity. Putting in the meters would also mean the village would have to read them instead of having set monthly bills.

After discussing the potential cost savings or benefits of doing it now or later, the board proposed putting it on the referendum or getting some more public input. Ultimately, the board decided to delay the decision on the project another month until the March meeting.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on March 6 at the Northern Piatt Fire Protection District’s meeting room at 108 South Washington St.