October 23, 2013

$2 million grant sought for dam and bridge

As published in The Erin Advocate

Erin is applying for a provincial grant of $2 million to help upgrade the Station Street dam and bridge in Hillsburgh, from a program aimed at “urgent public health and safety issues”.

Council agreed with Road Superintendent Larry Van Wyck’s recommendation to apply to the Small, Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund, which will distribute $100 million to various projects.

“Going for this is a no-brainer,” said Councillor John Brennan. The application has also been supported by the Mill Pond Committee.

No decision has been made on whether to preserve or drain the pond, but the road and bridge need to be rebuilt at a cost of more than $2 million in either case. The Town is facing a provincial order to have a detailed plan in place by next June.

The costs of Environmental Assessments are eligible for the funding program, which is designed to support “applicants with challenging economic conditions and limited fiscal flexibility, with additional consideration for applicants who are making significant infrastructure investments.”