FARMINGTON — Farmington has received stimulus funding for a needed upgrade to the sewer main along Tannery Brook.

A grant of $370,000 has been secured, along with a loan of $131,000, for the project from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We’ll put the money to good use,” Town Manager Richard Davis said he told selectmen when he announced receipt of the grant and loan which the town applied for in April.

The loan portion was set at an interest rate of 2.65 percent over 30 years, he said.

Farmington is one of a number of communities receiving funding for water and environmental projects that are being funded immediately through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congressman Mike Michaud said in a statement.

“This type of funding is essential because Maine’s water infrastructure is aging,” he said.

Engineers plan to work on the design plans for the project over the winter and then put the project out to bid in the spring. To help keep costs down, they will also try to coordinate engineering and inspections with another sewer line project planned on the Whittier Road to connect Mt. Blue High School, Davis said.

Although some projects receiving stimulus funds are “shovel ready” projects, the funds for this can be allotted this year and construction done next year, he said.

The Tannery Brook project includes replacing the 10-inch pipe to an 18-inch gravity sewer line which covers properties from Perham to Middle Street, on to Quebec Street near the fitness center at the University of Maine at Farmington and along Tannery Brook.

The 50-year-old line has dips where sewage collects, causing backups. It has been on the Sewer Department’s list of capital improvements for some time.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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