As the Town of Fowler is set to embark on several major projects, Town Administrator Wayne Snider took a few moments earlier this week to discuss upcoming plans.
Fowler has received three Department of Local Affairs grants totaling just over $650,000. These grants are divided between three projects: $164,000 for the back feed line north of town; $199,000 for the sewer line; and $300,000 for renovating Park School. Snider will be meeting with a representative from DOLA this week to confirm final details. “It is important we cross our i's and dot our t's. All funding is being highly scrutinized right now and one mistake could cost us the entire grant,” comments Snider.
Snider says the town is also waiting on permits from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad but expects work to begin late in July and end in September. Because the back feed line and the sewer project both involve boring under the railroad on the north side of town, Snider is coordinating purchase of materials and contractors to save money and time. Two bores will be installed under the tracks. One will be used for the back feed line and the other for the sewer. Snider says there will be enough room to run additional utilities in the future if needed.
The back feed line will significantly improve the quality of Fowler's water by allowing water on the north end of the line to be properly purified. According to Snider, without the back feed line, customers to the north receive their water from the source before it has had time to be held in the chlorination process. It is for that reason selenium has been detected and notices sent to all customers. After the back feed line is completed, all water to all customers will be properly purified and treated.
Fowler's sewer system desperately needs a new sewer line. Snider says the existing one is approximately 70 years old and has been reduced to a diameter of 4 inches. The original pipe was 15 inches. At this point Snider believes pressure is about the only thing holding that main line together. And it's a fragile arrangement at that.
Perhaps the most ambitious project is the renovation of Park School. In what is planned as a two-phase project, the building will eventually house administrative offices for the town as well as a the library and possibly a youth recreation center. There are also plans to move the swimming pool.
All together for the three projects, the town is anticipating having to borrow a maximum of $484,000 from local sources. But, Snider says the money will be well spent. “It is vital to maintain and improve our infrastructure before we find ourselves in a crisis,” he states. Snider also points out the cost of renovating Park School, and using it, far outweighs the cost of maintaining an antiquated, vacant building.
Once preliminary plans on the school are finished, Snider will schedule a public town meeting where citizens can learn fist hand what will be happening and share their thoughts.
