Seward offers survey to gain federal funds

The Town of Seward needs to upgrade its municipal sewer system, due to new NYSDEC discharge limits on the wastewater treatment system. The current system needs to be upgraded to meet these new discharge limitations. To keep the rates as low as possible, they are investigating several sources of grants and low- interest loans. 

The Town of Seward is asking for all residents who use the municipal sewer system to help by filling out a confidential survey that the Supervisor and Town Board hope will give them an advantage on federal funding for a very costly sewer upgrade. 

The surveys will be mailed out with assistance from RCAP Solutions, a private non-profit that helps municipalities with technical assistance and leveraging for projects like these. A 90 percent return rate for the income survey is critical in the town's efforts to get additional funding for the project. Residents, both renters and homeowners, but not businesses will receive a letter, the survey and a postage paid return envelope mailed back to RCAP Solutions. In addition to returning by mail, surveys can be returned by scanning the QR Code on the letter and submitting it online or by visiting https://arcg.is/efOfy directly. The QR Code is reproduced here. 

The survey asks six questions, including number of occupants and the estimated household income; answers will be separated from the signature page and no names or addresses will be shared locally, RCAP will use the data captured for the grant application. 

The Town of Seward has already received approximately $187,000 in ARPA funds awarded through Schoharie County and the Town Board voted to apply all of those funds towards the upgrade. 

It is extremely important for those in the sewer district to complete these surveys and return them as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence and the application date is fast approaching. We need everyone's help to get the funding we need to complete this upgrade.