Cairo Water Project Put on Hold

CAIRO — The estimated $1 million water main replacement project the town of Cairo had hoped to get off the ground this year has been put on hold until 2025. The town has been notified that the New York State Office of Community Renewal will not allow it to use the 2020 census to count the low-and-moderate-income residents in the water district, a requirement of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the town had planned to apply for. The negative decision was based on the fact that the census boundaries are not identical to those of the water district in question. 

That district includes Jerome Avenue and Phelps Drive. Cairo was proposing to replace approximately 2,800 feet of water pipes along with hydrants and service laterals. While the town has completed other steps in the application, such as an engineering report and lining up a grant writer with CDBG experience, the completion of an income survey with an 80% response rate is mandatory.

The CDBG is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the state. The grant is highly competitive and the town may or may not get all it is asking for, but until the survey is completed the process is stalled. It’s critical for the surveys to be completed, says Town Supervisor Jason Watt, who is looking for a core group of volunteers to go door-to-door in the district in the upcoming months.

On board to assist is RCAP Solutions, a network of nonprofits that receives funding from various federal agencies including the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) Rural Development, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and HHS (Health and Human Services). RCAP Community Specialist Jesse Levine says they are willing to work with the town to guide the survey process including going over protocols and coaching the survey team on best practices when asking questions. There is no cost to the town for this service.

Jerome Avenue has some of the oldest remaining cast-iron pipes in the town. Those pipes are subject to frequent leaks, most recently on June 27. Repairs require that water be turned off in the area and traffic reduced to one lane.

Most of the other water mains in Cairo had been replaced with PVC over the years with previous grant funding. If the survey requirements are met, the town has until next July to apply for the grant. The town’s other option, not currently on the table, is to pay for the project itself.

In other Cairo news: Renovations at the town ambulance building have been completed, allowing separate sleeping quarters for male and female EMTs. Other improvements will include updating the flooring and replacing the current bed frames that are currently being supported by cinder blocks. The town also voted to approve the installation of a new heating and cooling system at the building. In addition, at a recent meeting, council members approved the purchase of a Power Pro Cat Stretcher that will provide additional safety features in lifting and transporting patients. Last April, the town board approved the use of $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the renovations. The town has also budgeted $100,000 this year for upgrades and has some funds in reserve from 2023.

The biggest EMT expense coming up is the purchase of a new ambulance, estimated at $312,675. The current ambulance is reaching its optimal life span, considered to be between 100,000 and 120,000 miles, but will be kept for backup. The town approved an Intent to Purchase and will be looking at funding options. The ambulance also generates some of its own funds for expenses through billing. The newer ambulance will have a larger box that will provide greater comfort for patients and more room for the EMTs and equipment. The ambulance must be ordered a year or more in advance.