MORLEY GETS STATE FUNDING FOR SEWER SYSTEM, LAGOON

MORLEY -- Alderman Hallie Granville heard the good news from the city clerk, prompting an impromptu celebration in Granville's Morley Cafe.

"We are going to have a party," said Granville.

"We have a fall festival coming up," she said. "We might just all dance in the street."

The excitement resulted from Wednesday's announcement that Morley would receive federal money to help fund construction of a sewer system.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded a $660,000 grant and a $990,000 loan to the small Scott County town.

The loan will be repaid in 35 years with money from two bond issues, which combined total more than $1 million. Voters approved the bond issues in the past several years.

The city expects to receive a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant from the state for the final piece of funding.

In all, construction of the sewer lines and a sewer treatment lagoon is expected to cost more than $2 million, Granville said.

The city already has acquired 18.8 acres of land on the eastern edge of Morley for the lagoon. Even that proved difficult.

"For a long time, we couldn't find any land suitable for it," she said. "We have worked long and hard to get the sewer."

But without the federal funding, the project was stuck on the drawing board for years.

"We have been turned down so many times," she said. "This is our year."

Mayor Wilma Smith was thrilled. "We think it is great."

Morley has less than 800 residents. But at one time it was a thriving village, with a mortuary, theater, and even three hotels.

But the trains quit coming and the town declined.

The 84-year-old Smith said Morley can grow again, but first it needs a sewer system.

The town's residents currently are served by aging septic tanks. "Some of them are leaking all over the place," Smith said.

Granville said state regulations make it increasingly difficult to install new septic systems.

She said a sewer system should help the city. She estimated it could be under construction by the middle of next year at the latest.

"Without sewers, you can't get a loan to build a new home or anything," she said.

"If the city grows, then my business will grow," said Granville.

The growth of Sikeston could spur development in Morley too, she said.

"It is a small town, a safe place to live, a nice place to live," she said.

The town's 27th annual fall festival is slated for Sept. 10 and 11.

As Granville and Smith see it, the party is already under way.