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Council hears update on multi-year distribution system rebuild tied to federal grants
Summary
Staff updated the Town Council on a multi‑phase distribution system project (phases covering meters, mains, booster station and water towers) tied to fiscal 25–27 federal appropriations and future grant cycles; engineering and matching funds requirements were discussed but no formal vote was required.
Harpers Ferry Town Council received an extended update on a multi‑year plan to rebuild the town’s water distribution system, including meter replacement (phase 2), large main replacements, booster station work and water towers. Staff described the funding timeline tied to federal grant cycles and engineering needs.
Peggy (staff) reviewed that the town’s plan depends on a sequence of federal appropriations and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instructions: fiscal 25 (then pending in Congress) would fund a portion of the project, with fiscal 26 and fiscal 27 applications needed for alternates and remaining streets. The total program-level estimate discussed on the table — including alternates and additional engineering — could approach $20 million for remaining work across multiple years; specific line items mentioned included a roughly $2.5 million main replacement in one phase and a $7 million-plus phase for Washington Street later in the plan.
Staff emphasized the contingency and inflation risk: engineering remains incomplete for some phases and the council may need to bond for match funds or shift alternates into fiscal 26 or 27 depending on bids and available grant match. Peggy said the town’s fiscal‑26 application planning aims to capture alternates that could not fit in the earlier grants.
Council members asked about timing and match requirements; staff said the town will need engineering contracts for later phases and may need a bond attorney if match funding is not available. The council did not take formal action on this update; staff said they would proceed with application planning and return with contracting recommendations when engineering is ready.
