Voters in Centertown will decide Nov. 6 whether to approve a plan to improve their community’s water service.
Community leaders are asking residents to allow the village to issue its waterworks revenue bonds up to $1.5 million to acquire, construct and improve the water system.
“We put the bond issue on the ballot because we are in need of a new water tower,” said Celine Whitaker, chairperson of the Centertown Board of Trustees. “According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources March 29, 2016, Compliance and Operation Inspection Report, our current water tower that was built in 1960 is too short to provide adequate system pressure throughout the village.”
Several safety issues cited in the DNR report would require extensive corrections to the existing water tank or complete replacement, Whitaker said. The existing tank needs exterior repainting, but repainting would be cost-prohibitive because the exterior paint is lead-based, she said.
“If the bond issue passes, we will be able to pursue other funding as well, such as grants and loans through DNR,” Whitaker said.
If the bond issue does not pass, Whitaker said, the village will need to look at other funding options and may not be eligible for Department of Natural Resources grants.
“If this passes, we are looking at 2020 for the construction of the new tower,” Whitaker said. “We are looking at building next to our current tower.”
A simple majority of voters is needed for the measure to pass.
“Current rates will increase, but the amount will depend on additional funding we may receive,” Whitaker said.