PARIS — Interim Town Manager Sawin Millet told selectmen Monday night that the estimate for the storm water separation project is in and he’s come across potential federal funding to help with the project.

Millett received the conceptual cost design estimate from Robert Prue of Pine Tree Engineering, which is $662,000 to separate storm water from the wastewater that are treated at the Paris Utility District.

Storm water should not be treated by the PUD and needs to flow elsewhere, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

“That is more than you can swallow in one bout and it is certainly backed up with uncertainties that underlie it,” Millett said.

He came across an email last week from USDA Rural Development that’s offering federal funding for such projects.

“I responded to the email and immediately received a positive reply for low-interest, long-term loan assistance, which I will follow up on,” Millett wrote to selectmen in his report.

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The loan has a 2.25 percent interest rate, he said Monday.

In addition to separating the sewage from rainwater and runoff, the storm water will have to be diverted from 22 catch basins.

Pine Tree Engineering has been on site and six catch basins on Gary Street can be put in “one connecting loop and funnel that outside of the PUD network.”

Last January, the DEP issued the town a deadline to fix the problem by June 2019 or face fines. Last year, the town contracted with Prue for $4,800. The contract included site visits and dye tests to figure out which catch basins are allowing sewage and storm water to flow together to the treatment plant, along with conceptual design and cost estimates.

Millett talked with Prue about the best time for the project, whether to do it all at once, stretch it over three construction seasons or some other option. Prue told him it’s up to the town, Millett said.

Board Selectmen Chairman Mike Risica asked if there are grants for the project. Millett said he’s always on the lookout for them and wouldn’t say no.

“I think this has to be part of the long-range plan. … It’s going to be costly,” Millett said. “ I wish I had more good news.”

He said he plans to get Prue, Highway Director Jamie Hutchinson and a representative from Rural Development together to discuss the project and see if funding is available.

eplace@sunmediagroup.net

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