Spicer engineer reports lead and galvanized services; village files SHPO letter and readies Phase 2 water work

Austin Alexander, an engineer with Spicer, told the Village of Saint Charles council that crews have completed roughly 362 of an estimated 570 service‑line inspections tied to a technical, managerial and financial (TMF) capacity grant and the village’s water improvements project.

Alexander said the crew has identified about 45 galvanized service lines and three lead service lines so far and that residents with galvanized or lead lines have been notified as required within 30 days of discovery. “Of those 362 that they've done they've found 45 with galvanized … and 3 lead services,” Alexander said.

The village is working with its Department of Public Works to prioritize replacements. Alexander said staff will try to use leftover money from Phase 1 water improvements to replace some lines and will apply for additional state funding after the current work finishes. He said the contractor should finish the current stage by late June or, conservatively, next month.

Why it matters: galvanised and lead service lines can affect water quality and require coordinated outreach, funding and excavation plans. The village’s work affects residents on multiple streets and could require follow-up restoration in yards and driveways.

Alexander outlined the Phase 2 water‑main improvements scheduled for the fall, naming East Bell, Cherry and Walnut streets and one project site “in the heart of town.” He said the village has not yet put the work out to bid and that Spicer is still preparing documents, environmental reviews and a Rural Development (RD) application. Alexander also described a separate Safe Routes to School sidewalk project likely planned for next summer or early 2026, which would add sidewalks along Walnut from Saginaw to Bulldog.

Spicer said it will submit two Category B grant applications: one that could provide up to $250,000 in matching construction funds (village match $250,000, state match $250,000) for street and sidewalk work and a second application for Phase 2 water‑main improvements on Cherry (Walnut to Pine) and Maple (Cherry to Saginaw).

On historic preservation and environmental review, staff presented a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) letter. Council voted to accept and file the SHPO letter so Phase 2 may proceed with required clearances. During the meeting staff said the cultural/archaeological review found “no adverse effect on historical properties,” and that additional state environmental checks required by EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) and RD are in progress.

Councilors and staff discussed restoration after excavations. Alexander explained that crews try to strike a balance when backfilling to avoid both sinking and mounded patches, and that the village will address restoration requests.

The council did not adopt new policy in the discussion; it accepted the SHPO correspondence and directed staff to continue grant submissions, environmental reviews and construction planning.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to provide schedule updates and to finalize grant submittals and bid documents before soliciting contractors for fall construction. The council will receive further updates on the TMF work, Phase 2 water main projects and Safe Routes sidewalk design as applications and reviews progress.