PIMA — Pima Town Manager Vernon Batty said he’s looking for outside money to address many of the town’s infrastructure needs.
He told the Town Council during its most recent meeting that he is working with Local First Arizona on applications for a number of grants for which the town may qualify.
“So one, we need to get some . . . preliminary engineering on what we’re going to do about expanding the capacity in our sewer. Currently we have a sewer pond, which is OK but there are a few problems with that. One thing is it doesn’t smell great in the summertime. Also the water goes in there and just evaporates. And in Arizona the more you can do for water conservation the better,” Batty said.
Batty said Arizona Department of Environmental Quality won’t permit new ponds close to the Gila River, which means either constructing a new treatment facility or tie into Safford’s facility, which has the capacity to handle Pima’s wastewater flow.
He said he’s also looking at a grant for engineering on potential improvements to Main Street with widening, turning lanes and sidewalks.
And he said Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization has informed the town the Safe Passage to Schools grant may be making a comeback this summer, just in time to help pay for a traffic study, and engineering of roadways and stop lights for the development of a new Pima High School.
Finally, he said he’s seeking grants for new playground equipment for Pima Park.
