Jackson hopes to get moving on sewer progam

JACKSON, Mo. -- Construction of a sewer project designed to eliminate seven high-maintenance lift stations could start this summer if the acquisition of rights of way goes well.

Monday night, the Jackson Board of Aldermen authorized the city attorney to initiate condemnation proceedings to obtain easements required for the Phase I-Stage 2 sewer projects. The authorization is a formal step to make sure the city has everything in place by mid-April, when it expects to close on funding from the Department of Natural Resources.

"It's there should we need to use it," said Rodney Bollinger, the city's public works director.

About 15 of the 60 easements required for the project remain to be acquired. Bollinger said the acquisitions are going smoothly and have been done on a friendly basis.

The city is accessing money for the $3 million phase of the project through the State Revolving Fund, which provides local governments with low-interest federal money to help finance infrastructure projects.

Sewer projects

The Phase 1-Stage 2 sewer projects include the South Farmington Road interceptor from South Farmington Road to the wastewater treatment plant, the Goose Creek interceptor from the Old Cape Road bridge north to Bent Creek Golf Course, and the East Main Street interceptor from East Main Street up Neal Creek to Savannah Ridge. In addition to replacing lift stations with gravity flow lines, the city is installing larger pipe.

In other business Monday, the board granted an original package liquor with Sunday sales license to Casey's General Store at 920 W. Independence St. An increase in the city's population made the extra license available.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182