Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grants And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sewell's Point ratifies $14 million in DEP grant applications despite public questions
Summary
The commission ratified four DEP water-quality grant applications totaling $14,000,000 after public questioning about benefit calculations and match funds; the ratification passed 4–1 with Commissioner Burrell opposed.
The Sewell's Point Town Commission on Aug. 13 ratified the town manager's decision to apply for four Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water-quality grants totaling $14,000,000, despite a resident's public critique of the applications' calculations and timelines.
Town Manager Mitch Daniels told the commission the applications were submitted on schedule and are intended to supplement funding for stormwater projects and septic-to-sewer connections, including a South River Road drainage phase and multiple connection phases. Daniels said phase work is split between DEP funds and FEMA funds and that the town is seeking state/federal matches for shortfalls.
Frank Titticus, a resident who said he had performed a fact-check of the grant materials, urged the commission to slow the process and questioned several items: whether projects described represented entire projects or phases, whether benefit calculations (including claimed nitrogen reduction figures) matched accepted models, and whether local funds proposed as matches were in fact available. Titticus said he found discrepancies between what the town submitted and FDEP materials and asked for clearer outreach and documentation.
Daniels and staff responded by describing the grants as reimbursements that supplement local project budgets, explaining prior grant stages and shortfalls, and noting that some preexisting installations will be grandfathered unless an issue arises. Daniels said staff will continue to refine outreach and that the town can withdraw applications if the commission so directs. Commissioner Mayfield moved to ratify the manager's applications; Vice Mayor Fender seconded and the roll-call vote was recorded as Yes (Mayor Tom Peck, Vice Mayor Fender, Commissioner Kirsman, Commissioner Mayfield) and No (Commissioner Burrell), with the motion carrying.
The ratification keeps the town in the grant process and preserves application timelines while staff continues follow-up with FDEP and public outreach on project scope and match funding.
