NORTH MANCHESTER - Plans for rejuvenating the downtown buildings in North Manchester were revealed at the regular town council meeting Wednesday evening.
Kris Floyd, architect for the Christine Matheu firm, gave an overview of the project and showed repairs and changes that would be made to each building if the town receives a grant to pay for the project.
The presentation was part of a public hearing for a planning grant the town recently received. Another part of the grant was a downtown rehabilitation study. The findings will be used to apply for a grant to make the repairs and cosmetic changes to the downtown area buildings.
Floyd met with downtown building owners to discuss their needs and wants from the project, and then came up with plans for the renovations on 17 buildings on Walnut Street, Mill Street, Main Street and Second Street. As part of the project, building owners must raise 20 percent of the project costs for their building, and the grant, if received, will cover 80 percent of the projects.
The total cost of the project is estimated at around $600,000. The grant would cover $500,000, with building owners contributing $100,000.
The town also will apply for another grant that would provide money for a revolving loan fund to help building owners pay for their portion of the repairs to the facades.
The application for the construction grant is due in March, winners will be announced in May, and the grant will be awarded in July. If the grant is received, bids will be taken in late September and early October, with construction beginning in late October. Construction should be complete by September 2011.
In other business, the council:
n Voted down an ordinance regarding golf carts. Council members decided not to make a town ordinance to regulate the use of golf carts. If problems arise regarding the use of the vehicles, the town will revisit the ordinance.
n Heard the results from soil borings on the Seiler property have been completed and no contamination was found. An offer to purchase a portion of the property is expected soon.
n Approved a motion to promote Ryan Shock to water department foreman. His base pay will increase to $16 per hour.
n Heard that fall cleanup days will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16 and 17 at the street building. Appliances and tires without rims will be accepted. Paint and chemicals will not be accepted.
