Baltimore committee moves to pursue low‑interest loan for water‑line replacements

Baltimore village officials said they will apply for a low‑interest state loan to pay for priority water‑line replacements and related work, and discussed sequencing projects so the village does not begin payments until construction is complete. The resolution authorizing the village administrator to apply for a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund loan and to designate repayment sources was moved forward at the council meeting and approved for immediate consideration. Committee members described a plan to stage projects so the village would not owe a first loan payment until about a year after all loan proceeds were spent. The loan discussed has a quoted interest rate of about 1 percent and an available maximum of $5,000,000. Officials said some portions of future projects — specifically the water‑line replacement portion if lead joints are found — could qualify for partial forgiveness; staff described a possible 50 percent forgiveness on the water‑line work only, not on related street paving. Public‑works staff and council members said the first projects under consideration include the Elmwood replacement (an estimate discussed in the meeting ranged from roughly $800,000 to $1,000,000 and would include paving) and other small distribution mains. Staff emphasized they plan to prioritize lines that serve the most customers and areas with the most main breaks, rather than replacing streets in strict geographic order. A water‑modeling study by the consultant V3 was under way and was expected to inform final sequencing. Separately, the committee discussed a lift station and sewer work serving the Cotugno property; staff said V3 and property representatives have expressed an interest in participating financially in that lift station work, but details remain to be resolved. No formal construction schedule was set at the meeting. Staff said loan paperwork can be signed before the money is disbursed but that funds would not be available until next year. The village plans to meet again with V3 to finalize project lists and to review the water modeling results before the next service committee meeting. Ending: Council members said they plan to return with the consultant’s modeling results and more detailed project cost breakdowns at the next service meeting so the village can finalize which projects will be funded by the loan.