Federal stimulus money will offset local costs

TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: July 15, 2009

MONTPELIER – A relatively small number of Montpelier voters turned out Tuesday to authorize the use of federal stimulus funds to help offset local spending for sewer improvements and two other projects for the capital city.

The ballot measure, which passed 200-30 during daylong voting at City Hall, approved an amount not to exceed $706,000 to be spent for the improvements.

"We're very pleased," said Mayor Mary Hooper shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m.

Hooper noted that the city had planned to move forward with the projects using local funds. The federal stimulus funds will provide 50 percent funding from Washington.

City voters already gave their backing at the March 3 city meeting to borrowing $585,000 for upgrades to the sewer system. However, to be eligible to apply to receive $645,500 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan stimulus funds, Montpelier needed to hold a special meeting by Australian ballot to formally get voter authorization for a total additional $706,000.

The 230 residents who turned out Tuesday were among the city's 6,109 registered voters.

Hooper said three projects will be done with the city and federal stimulus funds:

1) The CSO Elimination Projects (Arsenal, McKinley, Hinkley, Richardson, School, Lower State and Graham Terrace). Total cost of this project is $600,000.

2) Solar panels for the wastewater treatment facility. Total cost of this project is $366,000.

3) Sewer rodder/vacuum truck replacement. Total cost of the replacement truck is $325,000.

According to the mayor, the projects will considerably benefit the city, and approval will not increase property tax rates.

Hooper said Tuesday night that she was especially pleased that the city could move forward with installation of the solar panels.

"The city in general is looking for as many opportunities as we can to reduce our reliance on conventional energy," she said. Hooper said she hoped future energy savings would offset some of the cost of the installation.

Hooper said she suspected that some voters opposed the ballot item because they didn't believe the city should move forward with the purchase of the replacement vacuum truck at this time, which she said reflected "good old Yankee conservatism."

But, she added, Montpelier could not put off that replacement much longer – and now the equipment and the other projects would be funded in part with the assistance of federal dollars.