ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 16, 1998) -- A project to construct a water line connection from the City of Frostburg to the Town of Lonaconing today received Board of Public Works approval for a $500,000 grant.

"This project is critical because it will help provide an emergency water supply for approximately 5,000 resident of Lonaconing, Barton and Midland," said Acting Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. "These Allegany County communities have been impacted by the recent drought conditions in the region."

In addition to the State grant, the Allegany County Sanitary District is contributing $71,450. Construction is expected to begin this month and be completed in March 2000.

"On behalf of the Town of Lonaconing and its customers, Allegany County is very grateful to receive State of Maryland grant funds to extend our system to provide a permanent connection between the Frostburg and Lonaconing systems," said Bernard L. Loar, President of the Allegany County Board of Commissioners. "This assistance comes at a very crucial time, as the current extreme drought conditions have all but dried up the Lonaconing system, placing its customers in a very stressful and unhealthful situation."

Chaired by Acting Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend while Governor Glendening was in Florida for the funeral of Governor Lawton Chiles, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller Robert L. Swann and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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