Hope moves forward on storm sewer repairs with local funding

The town of Hope will be digging deep into its own funds to pay for a stormwater sewer project on the Town Square.

Last month, the town was turned down for a $608,000 state grant that would have funded most of the project to replace the collapsing storm sewer between State Road 9 and the Community Center of Hope.

The Town Council regrouped last night and decided to do about half of the project out of town funds instead of grant money. That meant coming up with nearly $300,000 from various funds under a plan outlined by town Clerk-Treasurer Diane Burton. Council members reluctantly agreed to the spending plan.

Town officials worried that the community project would not be competitive for state grant funding even if the town applied again.

Town officials estimate that the hand laid limestone storm sewer was built nearly 100 years ago and was never meant to carry the weight of modern vehicles. It has been collapsing in places, leaving sinkholes along the parking spaces on the Town Square.