Michigantown to submit sanitary sewer rehabilitation plan to USDA Rural Development

A town staff member reported that final design work is finished for Division A of Michigantown's sanitary sewer rehabilitation and that the town will submit the project to USDA Rural Development following the Jan. 12 board meeting to seek authorization and funding. "The final design is complete. We're submitting that project to Rural Development following this meeting this evening to get authorization," the staff member said.

The staff member told the board that permit applications had been submitted to INDOT and IDEM/ITM and were under review, and that no additional permits were expected for some rehabilitation work. He said the town plans to begin bidding by the end of January, subject to Rural Development approval, with a construction schedule hoped for in February and a loan closing targeted by the end of April.

The update covered multiple elements of the overall program, including Division B work on the wastewater treatment plant and lift‑station upgrades. The staff also reported that laboratory testing of lagoon sludge in Louisville is complete and that disposal options being included in bid documents are either land application (which may require a contractor land‑application permit) or hauling to regional disposal centers.

Board members asked clarifying questions about state and transportation permits and coordination with the school district, and staff thanked the school system for providing a right‑of‑entry agreement needed for lift‑station work adjacent to a school. No formal vote on the project funding occurred during the meeting; staff characterized the update as an authorization step to submit materials for Rural Development review.

The town will return to the board with bid results and financing terms after Rural Development's review; staff said they would keep the board informed of review comments and any required changes to scope or schedule.