Township to try for county infrastructure grant

By Lisa Brody

After learning that the township did not qualify for objectives for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) grant from the state of Michigan, Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously voted to have staff pursue an Oakland County infrastructure grant at their meeting on Monday, February 14.

Director of engineering and environmental services Olivia Olsztyn-Budry noted that at a December board meeting trustees had approved her applying for a grant with the state of Michigan for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

“The engineering and environmental services department submitted a DWSRF ITA (intent to apply) for replacing water main along Maple Road, Lahser Road and 14 Mile Roads; and a CWSRF ITA for rehabilitation to sanitary sewers found during the SAW Grant televising,” she said.

The department has since met with the state, and learned “the state is being directed to address disadvantaged communities, lead service lines, and projects that address emerging contaminants.”

She said they could continue along this line, but the state has already received more than $700 million in requests, exceeding their funding, “and the township's request would not be on their prioritized funding list.” The next step is the preparation of a plan, which would cost approximately $40,000.

Trustees unanimously agreed to have the department discontinue work on the two grants.

Olsztyn-Budry said since they have become aware of an Oakland County local critical infrastructure planning grant.

“The township is eligible for this grant for project planning, engineering, analysis, or other related professional services. The required grant match is 50 percent and the maximum amount of grant funds a community can receive is $100,000, for a total of $200,000,” she said.

Trustees unanimously approved the township applying for the county grant.