Jackson submits $2M federal grant application to replace 6.8 miles of steel gas line

During the Town of Jackson meeting on June 1, Maintenance Superintendent Matt Leggett and staff member Chris Farris reported that the town has submitted a federal grant application seeking $2,000,000 to replace approximately 6.8 miles of steel gas line.

Chris Farris told the board he submitted the application as part of the town’s infrastructure work. If the grant is awarded, Leggett said the replacement would allow the town to remove some older meters and modernize distribution lines. The application status and award timeline were not provided in the minutes.

Leggett also updated the board on related maintenance work: sewer-liner repairs remain on hold pending bid awards, and the town’s demolition grant covers up to 15 structures, seven of which already signed contracts. Legislation and timelines for those demolitions may require legal service-of-process for absentee owners; the board approved a motion allowing the mayor to appoint counsel once a suitable attorney is secured.

Leggett noted maintenance staffing pressures and proposed a short-term payroll adjustment to save costs; the board later approved a $1/hour raise for five maintenance employees to realign staffing before recruitment decisions are finalized.

The grant application represents a capital-scale project for a small municipality; no construction schedule, matching-fund requirements, or award certainty appear in the minutes. Town Attorney Haley Major Green will follow up on attorney appointment logistics for demolition grant service-of-process; the mayor will contact a reluctant property owner about demolition agreements.

Next steps: the town will await notification on the federal grant application, proceed with bid processes for sewer work as awards are announced, and confirm legal representation for absentee-owner notification related to demolitions.