by Geoff Fox

The Town of Hancock has been working on replacing the pump station off Pennsylvania Avenue for several years. Last Tuesday evening, May 12, they got an update from the engineering firm they hired to complete the project.

The project is to replace the failing pump station in the trailer park behind Story Cannabis, or the former Antique Mall.

Prior to the actual meeting, a brief public hearing was held regarding easements for properties around the sewer line and station.

Town Manager Mike Faith said on Thursday there were four easements needed three from property owners and a temporary one. There was also an older easement the town was going to abandon.

Costs for the project have increased as it has unfolded.

There was an increase in engineering costs by $128,600, of which the town has already paid $90,000, Faith said.

“All these grants are reimbursement-based, so the town has to pay the bill and then apply for reimbursement,” Faith said.

The additional costs will add up to an extra $30-$35,000, said officials.

At the meeting last Tuesday, Project Manager for RK&K Rhiannon Miller told town officials the funding lined up for the project so far as $800,000 from a Community Development Block Grant and $405,000 from USDA.

She said they also looked at the numbers in the initial agreement and noted the costs were from 2021.

Miller said RK&K is confident the funds would be available and conversations could be had with the USDA, which typically has supplemental funding available to cover the construction engineering costs.

The construction-engineering part of the process won’t happen unless the funding for the total project is in hand.

Construction was originally estimated to take three months, but Miller said that has been changed to six months.

The costs would not come from Hancock pockets, Miller said, adding that this increase should be the last increase before construction starts because of the easements.

Councilman Richard Strong raised concern about the added $128,600 costs, asking it to be put in writing saying the town would not be stuck with the $120,000.

Strong wanted to make sure there was something in the contract between the town and RK&K where it states the town is not obligated to pay the money until the work has been completed.

“We’re not going to proceed with something the town doesn’t want to proceed with,” Miller said.

The project hasn’t been put out to bid and Miller said the firm wouldn’t be conducting any inspections and construction management.

“We got to cover all our bases,” Strong said.

“I totally agree,” Miller said.

The USDA must approve the grants with the correct documents, which council agreed to amend from the original agreement.

The $405,000 has been obligated to the town, but can’t be given to the town until that change is made.

Miller also said if town officials feel more comfortable having discussions with the USDA about the funding and getting things in writing, RK&K can see if that is possible.

While he couldn’t speak for everyone on council, Strong said he personally, since he represents the town, he would feel more comfortable if it they had things in writing.

“Things happen. We know that,” he said.

Town Attorney Ed Kuczynski also reminded Strong and council about the importance of getting things done as the state has been “breathing down the town’s neck”about the project.

There’s also the risk of losing the funding from the CDBG and USDA because the town is moving so slow.

“CDBG and USDA have threatened to pull their money, to be honest with you, due to just delays in this project,” Miller said.

Strong still wanted the commitment from the grant writers they were committing funding.

Miller said that’s where the conversation with the USDA for the supplemental funding with Kuczynski adding they want to see the signatures before committing to the funding.

The money won’t have to be paid until the construction phase begins and once the bids come back, the town decides whether to go through with the construction.

Once town officials get bids in hand and meet to award the bid, Councilman Josh McCusker said there could be a better understanding of the process.

The town could then go to the USDA with the request for money if it is needed.

If every grant outlet were to say no, Faith said the town isn’t getting the pump station.

If the town were to only get $1.6 million of the total cost, Mayor Roland Lanehart, Jr. said the town would go to the other grant writers, even the county, to get the $120,000 they need to get the project done.

Miller said RK&K does everything they can to get projects funded because small towns like Hancock don’t have the ability to pay on those high costs.

Town officials approved 3-0, with Strong abstaining, a single amendment to the original agreement that would change the agreement version RK&K would need to use with applications to the USDA.

Officials also unanimously agreed to the easements.