FEMA has given Monson a grant for $69,075 for the water main project.
MONSON– The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Monson a grant for $69,075 for the Mechanic Street Bridge water main project.
The money comes from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program associated with the Federal Disaster Declaration for the December 2008 ice storm.
“The town of Monson was hit hard by the ice storm in 2008 and they are facing adversity again in the wake of the June 1st tornadoes,” said Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) in a prepared statement.
The application, submitted by the Monson sewer and water department, involves relocating the Mechanic Street Bridge water main by moving it up and along the existing bridge structure over the stream. The main, which was originally constructed in 1897, is located in the embankment of the stream and along the streambed of the Mill Stream Brook.
The proposed project will insulate the water main and attach it via a galvanized structural steel beam to the Mechanic Street Bridge. This will not only lessen the possibility of main failure, it will also provide additional structural integrity to the bridge that serves approximately 50 residents.
In total, the state been awarded more than $8.3 million in federal assistance through the program.
“This funding is essential as the community works diligently to rebuild,” Brewer said.