ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 14, 2001) – Continuing his commitment to providing Marylanders with high quality service while protecting their environment, Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Maryland Board of Public Works approval of a $200,000 grant to Dorchester County for improvements to the sewer system running through the town of Secretary.

“Protecting communities by upgrading older, deteriorating water and sewer systems is a critical part of our revitalization efforts in our older neighborhoods,” said Governor Glendening. “This grant will provide Dorchester County with the money required to provide Secretary’s old sewer system with a much needed upgrade and the changes being made will improve quality of service and quality of life for those Marylanders served by the system.”

Design, construction, rehabilitation and replacement of old sewer lines throughout Secretary will prevent and reduce continual operations and permit violations at the town’s wastewater treatment plant. Funding for the work comes from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Quality Infrastructure Program. Construction is expected to begin by the beginning of April 2002 and completed by October of that year.

“We thank MDE for their continued support of our small town and look forward to a successful sewer repair project,” said Mary E. Thompson, Secretary’s town clerk. “This project is long overdue and we are thrilled to be able to finally be in a position to contribute financially. It is sometimes difficult to get things done with 66 percent of our town population is low to moderate income.”

The total cost of the project is $475,000, of which $25,320 is Secretary’s share. The remainder of the costs will be resolved with a community development block grant.
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