Officials break ground
on $2.5 million water project
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Church Street April 30 on a $2.5 million project that will improve access to quality water and wastewater systems, thanks to a grant and loan funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsak made the announcement earlier this spring that Mars Hill was one of several communities slated to receive such funding for needed infrastructure improvements. The recent ceremony brought together local, state and federal officials, as well as students from Fort Street Elementary School, to mark the occasion.
Virginia Manuel, USDA Rural Development director for the state of Maine, was welcomed by Bob Lento, manager of the Mars Hill Utility District.
“I’m glad to be here today to break ground on this project and welcome the third grade class from Fort Street Elementary. Congratulations for truly being the reason to celebrate,” said Manuel, addressing the children in attendance.
Manuel said this was a perfect time to be moving ahead with a project to improve Mars Hill and Blaine’s water system, given that the 40th anniversary of Earth Day was just days earlier.
“We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by replacing about 2,000 feet of clay pipes and 10,000 feet of old cast iron water main and nine new hydrants,” said Manuel, noting that Aroostook County has received more Recovery money than anywhere else in Maine.
“Aroostook County has received about $12.7 million for five projects. The U.S. has invested $46 million statewide in 26 different projects to preserve and protect the environment,” Manuel said.
The children were presented with tomato plants, courtesy of the USDA, as a way to encourage them to care about the Earth.
Representatives for Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Congressman Mike Michaud were on hand and read prepared statements.
“The investments into these efforts in Mars Hill are a testament to the tangible outcomes of funding to USDA and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Not only can we applaud what the replacement and upgrade of materials will ensure, but we must not forget the jobs associated with bringing this project to a successful conclusion and the immediate impact it will have on the local economy,” read Kim Rohn, on behalf of Snowe.
“This investment by USDA will allow the Mars Hill Utility District to improve its current water and public sanitation sewers. While these funds will help provide for safer and cleaner water for the community, this investment will also protect the environment and support the local economy by providing jobs,” read Phil Bosse, on behalf of Collins. “The MHUD will use these funds to be better able to meet the challenges and demands of maintaining safe, quality water for its citizens. This new development is a terrific example of achieving smart, sustainable economic and rural development, and today’s ground-breaking ceremony is a fitting way to celebrate your success.”
“I cannot think of a more deserving community than this to receive funding for these important improvements. Many of your clay pipes date back to the 1940s and are cracked and damaged. This project will help prevent public health problems by eliminating broken collection lines and potential sewage leakage,” said Barbara Hayslett, reading from Michaud’s statement. “We all know that a safe, reliable water supply is vital to economic growth and development.”
Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Bill Sheehan, an environmental specialist, shared a story of how Mars Hill was at the heart of the creation of the enactment of the first Clean Water Act.
“The Prestile Stream’s water was so degraded years ago, the Canadians dammed the stream to prevent the water from entering Canada. Word of that got to Washington and Senator Edmund Muskie drafted legislation in 1971 that was made into law and signed by President Nixon in 1972 creating the Clean Water Act. That set us on the course in the nation to clean up our act. The little stream here played an important role in that,” said Sheehan.
Ray Mersereau, in one of his final appearances as town manager — he’s scheduled to retire in a few months — expressed his pleasure in being a part of such a momentous occasion.
“I want to thank the USDA for their support of this project. This will benefit the community for many years to come,” said Mersereau, also commending the Water District for getting the project started. “This would not be possible without the federal government’s involvement. I want to thank everyone for their assistance.”
Blaine’s town manager concluded the ceremony, with a few words of his own.
“I want to thank everyone for making this possible,” said Delmar “Chappy” Clark, Blaine town manager.
With statements completed, the group gathered, students included, with gold shovels in hand, to officially break ground on the multi-million dollar project.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty
ATTENDING A GROUND-BREAKING ceremony in Mars Hill on a $2.5 million water project that will benefit the communities of Mars Hill and Blaine were, front row: Fort Street Elementary third graders Annika Nicholas, Calleena Boyce, Megan Crouse, Benjamin Thomas, Cameron Oliveira, Lance Morin, Myron Foote, Lane Grass, Wyatt Corey, Logan Milliard and James Hotham. Second row, from left: Delmar “Chappy” Clark, Blaine town manager; Bill Sheehan, environmental specialist, Maine DEP; Ray Mersereau, Mars Hill town manager; Barbara Hayslett, representative for Congressman Mike Michaud; Kim Rohn, representative for Sen. Olympia Snowe; Robert Lento, superintendent, Mars Hill Utility District; USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel; Phil Bosse, representative for Sen. Susan Collins; and Elaine Boulier, principal, Fort Street Elementary School.
DELMAR “CHAPPY” CLARK, town manager of Blaine, was one of several officials on hand to mark the beginning of a $2.5 million project to improve the water and sewer infrastructure serving Mars Hill and Blaine.
WORKING TOGETHER — USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel shakes hands with Mars Hill Town Manager Ray Mersereau during a ground-breaking ceremony April 30 that kicked off a $2.5 million dollar project to improve the water and sewer systems for the communities of Mars Hill and Blaine. The funds were made possible through the federal government’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act, designed to improve municipal infrastructures.
