THROOP - The town of Throop is planning to expand its water districts west and north in three phases and is looking for grant money.

The project's total cost would be $2,145,769. With a USDA Rural Development Grant of $500,000, the total to be financed would be $1,645,769. Interest for loans over a period of 38 years would amount to about $43,500.

Engineer Paul R. Chatfield, of Chatfield Engineers, presented his proposal to the town board Wednesday night. He agreed to send the USDA a copy and arrange to have them meet with the board during the day.

“The chances are good to receive a series of grants,” he said.

If approved, work on Phase No. 1 might begin this year at the earliest, possibly not until next year.

Once the town votes to approve the project, and after a 30-day permissive referendum, it will be a done deal.

Chatfield said that, based on a conversation he had with Dave Miller, a USDA Rural Development engineer, about the potential for getting a Federal grant, annual project costs would be $783.11 per household per year. The annual project costs would include the repayment of debt service plus the cost of water, including operation and maintenance.

The town plans to meet with representatives of USDA Rural Development and present the concept. If they agree, Chatfield said, the town can submit a pre-application to get the first phase funded. He indicated that the town would know within two weeks if it had been accepted.

Once the town receives the form for a full application, it needs to hold a public information meeting to see if the residents are in favor of the proposal.

Preparing the full application and getting it approved would take six to nine months.

The engineer said USDA Rural Development grants are limited to $500,000 per project. He recommended evaluating areas that may desire public water in the future and including those areas in the larger water district.

Chatfield said that because funding criteria have become more stringent than in the past, it was more advantageous to plan the district in phases so that funds could be reapplied for. Monies lent are based on median household incomes of the municipality.

His plan includes 45,450 linear feet of water line for a district extending down Turnpike Road from McDonald Road west to Donovan Road in Phase No. 1and northwest up Northrup Road as well as Donovan Road in the same phase. Phase No. 1 would cost $818,254.

Phase No. 2, at a cost of $574,208, would include a loop from Turnpike Road up McDonald Road over to Griffen Road and south down Youngs Road.

Phase No. 3, at $516,337, extends the line from Turnpike Road down Canoga Road and extends existing water lines from Day Road and Powers north.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or email kathleen.barran@lee.net