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Columbia Falls council approves letter backing Highway Community sewer project
Summary
The Columbia Falls City Council voted unanimously to provide a letter of support for a water and sewer district project serving the Highway Community manufactured housing park; the project team said failing septic systems and grant applications prompted the request.
The Columbia Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve a letter of support for the Highway Community Water and Sewer District’s planned sewer replacement project, council members said during the Feb. meeting.
The letter is intended for inclusion with multiple state grant applications the district plans to submit, including a Western Montana Conservation Fund (DNRC WNCC) application and a potential nonpoint-source grant, presenters said. NeighborWorks Montana asked the council for the letter after describing failing septic systems that the group says require full replacement.
Danielle Meade, cooperative housing director for NeighborWorks Montana, told the council the Highway Community — a resident-owned manufactured-housing community on Highway 40 between Columbia Falls and Whitefish — purchased the park in 2022 and later formed a water and sewer district to address failing septic infrastructure. Meade said the district previously received awards from the Montana Coal Endowment Program and a DNRC-related RRG grant and will seek additional state funding and a state revolving fund loan to limit debt for residents.
Council members made a motion to approve the letter of support, and the roll call vote recorded ayes from Councilors Robinson, Shepherd, King, Piper, Price and Mayor Barnhart. After the vote the mayor invited Meade to collect a signed copy of the letter.
A resident asked whether “support” included financial backing and whether the new sewer would be usable by other nearby public entities. Council members said the request on the council floor was for a letter supporting resident ownership and affordable housing and that Meade would be available to meet separately to provide technical details about district operations and whether outside connections are possible.
The council’s action was limited to approving a letter of support; no funding appropriation or formal commitment of city resources was made during the meeting.
