Positive news on two important projects for Baxter.
City Engineer Tom Bennett said the sewer rehab project has begun wrapping up. Bennett said officials do not yet know how much this will help with infiltration reduction. Bennett said they will be part of the monitoring to begin next.
“You know, it’s really exciting to see it come to a close,” Bennett said. “I know there’s been some pains and struggles in the community with that project, but to complete a $2.1 million sewer rehabilitation project in the middle of town, I think it’s gone quite well.”
Bennett said point repairs are the last major part of the project. Although there is still more work to do, Bennett said this project has been a step in the right direction.
“I’ve taken all the years of rehabilitation and put them on a map so we can see what’s has been done in the city,” Bennett said. “And when you begin to look at that, you realize you’ve actually done quite a lot to your system. There’s a lot to be proud of.”
Bennett said the wastewater treatment plant is moving right along. Bennett said there have been no major complaints or problems so far.
“There’s actually been tremendous progress,” Bennett said. “I would say we’re probably at 60 percent, something like that. I’m not certain on exact closure date yet. It’s looking like towards the end of the year we should have it if not complete, at least almost complete.”
The city will receive a 40-year, $1 million loan with a 1.375 percent interest rate to finance part of the project. It was initially expected to cost $3 million, with funding split between a grant and a prior loan.
Bennett said the Wolf Creek project is going out for bid in the coming weeks. Bennett said interest has been scarce so far, but ARP funding coming out has led to more projects going out for bid than there are contractors to take them.
