Vanleer chooses to seek grant to replace older water lines to reduce loss

Faced with choosing between two water projects for a grant application, the Vanleer Board of Aldermen chose to focus on upgrading some of the older water lines in the town to cut down on water loss and prepare for future growth. Engineer Neal Westerman asked the board Monday night for guidance on what project to list in seeking funding. The board had discussed more water line extensions that could add as many as 50 new customers and revenue, but also was looking at the need to replace some of the original water lines installed in the early 1960s. Westerman said the town is looking at getting another $500,000 in funding for one project or the other, but cannot do both at this time. While not taking a formal vote, Mayor Larry Robertson concluded the general consensus was the town should rehab its old lines to reduce water loss and by concentrating primarily on the area along Highway 49 from the elementary school to Sylvia Road Alderman Jason Weaver said that would give the town more opportunity to expand and add new customers toward the east.