CONWAY — Following a study that looked at better ways to handled wastewater, the town is conducting an income survey of residents and businesses in the downtown area.
At the annual town meeting on May 9, the Wastewater Committee presented information on the study that included a review of septic systems in the downtown area, as well as thoughts and information from an engineering consultant on what it would take to implement a community system.
According to the committee, members want to fund the project through grants “dependent upon the economic needs of the target area.”
To find those needs, RCAP Solutions, a nonprofit, independent corporation from Worcester that helps communities with finances, planning and development, is going to work with the town to try and implement a community wastewater system.
The first step is for the organization to look at financial surveys sent by the wastewater committee this week to businesses and residents in the downtown area.
“The purpose of the income survey is to see if we qualify for grants,” said Joseph Strzegowski, committee chairman. “This is only to people who would connect to the system.”
David Chichester, a committee member, said the majority of the responses need to be returned by Aug. 1 for the survey to be successful.
He said “87 percent is the magic number because (grant) agencies require that amount,” He added, “Anything less and they won’t consider us for a grant. It’s important that we get them back.”
According to Chichester, a little more than 60 surveys were sent out to residents. After the completed surveys have been received, RCAP Solutions will search for grants offered through other agencies.
“They’re very helpful in that regard,” Chichester said about RCAP Solutions. “We don’t want to burden the taxpayers with this, that’s why we want the grant money.”
Chichester also said the committee is in need of help.
“We have four people on the committeee,” he said, “none of whom come from the downtown area.”
Anyone interested in helping out with the project can contact the town administrator at 413-369-4235 or email inquiries to: townadmin@townofconway.com
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo