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Etna Green moves to accelerate utility planning, hires Commonwealth for wastewater asset-management plan
Summary
The Etna Green Town Council approved hiring Commonwealth Engineering to produce a wastewater asset-management plan (AMP), seeks an OCRA planning grant for a master utility study, and agreed to act quickly to preserve access to State Revolving Fund timing to avoid extended delays for construction funding.
Etna Green — The town council voted to hire Commonwealth Engineering to prepare an asset-management plan for the wastewater system and to advance a master utility study tied to a pending OCRA planning grant application.
Olivia Nicks, a community development planner with the Michigan Area Council of Governments, told the council the town is seeking the maximum OCRA Community Development Block Grant planning amount of $90,000 with a local match capped at $10,000. "If awarded the study will be complete within a 12-month window," Nicks said, describing a study that would examine wastewater, drinking water and the feasibility of a stormwater utility and provide a road map for critical improvements over five to 20 years.
The application relies on the town meeting OCRA's low-to-moderate-income threshold; Nicks said the town's income survey indicates about 63.1% of residents qualify as low to moderate income and that $56,790 of the $90,000 would be apportioned as benefiting those residents.
Representatives from Commonwealth Engineering warned councilors that timing is critical. A Commonwealth representative (Chris) said the town faces multiple equipment failures that make waiting 18–30 months for construction funding risky. "We can't wait two years and we can't wait for it to break and then say, 'Hey, we're going to fix it,'" he said, urging the council to start the AMP and preliminary engineering as soon as possible to become eligible for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding cycle.
Jeremy Hardy, identified as a project engineer who works with Etna Green, explained SRF requirements, including an asset-management plan and certain financial documentation. He told the council that starting the AMP now — even as the OCRA planning grant is considered — increases the town's chances of meeting the April 1 SRF submittal and accessing reimbursable or low-interest SRF financing.
After discussion, the council voted to hire Commonwealth to complete the wastewater AMP at a cost not to exceed $30,000 and authorized Town representative Heath to sign the contract when it is presented so work can begin quickly. Councilors said the AMP and preliminary engineering work should be reimbursable through SRF funding if the project later advances to construction.
The decision is intended to keep Etna Green in contention for state funding opportunities and to reduce the town's reliance on reactive, emergency repairs while the utility systems age. The town will proceed with the OCRA planning grant application this week; staff said award notices are expected within about a month.
