Mapleton may proceed with water, wastewater projects

The end of a long-standing development freeze in the villages of Drayton and Moorefield may be at hand.

Mapleton’s proposed 2018 budget contains a $4.2-million allocation for wastewater capacity enhancement and $3 million for a water tower.

The allocations are provisional at this point, but Mayor Neil Driscoll said council seems prepared to spend the money to put an end to local wastewater capacity problems that originated about two decades ago.

“Our intent, as far as I can read from council … whatever system that the consultants recommend ... that’s what we’re willing to put the money in for,” Driscoll said.

He added council is still awaiting final project designs from a consultant, and then government approval will be required for the plans.

However, he indicated council is determined to follow through with upgrading capacity.

Finance director Karmen Krueger explained the projects will not impact the tax levy, as they will be financed entirely from water and wastewater rates and have already been factored into that rate structure.

While township officials are hopeful the upgrades will get under way in 2018, Krueger said “it will probably be a two- or three-year project.”

Driscoll said the projects will be financed through a debenture (the terms of which are not yet known), although some upper tier government funding is possible.