Silhan remains proactive in water system plans

HARRINGTON-Mayor Jess Silhan said all the hard work the city has accomplished would be rewarded in the New Year at an annual mayor and media meeting with The Record-Times this week.

"In 2022, we had to get the Critical Ordinance in," Silhan said. "Get that squared away and SEPA."

Ordinances that had been long outdated are being amended and updated.

"Now all these doors are starting to open," Silhan said. "In 2023, we hope to complete our water system plan by TD & H."

Water systems infrastructure within the city has been a concern for several years.

"We've got two grants covering our water system plan once that is in place," Silhan said.

The wastewater treatment plant plan is going out to bid in 2023 and could go into 2024.

"That particular project was awarded to us," Silhan said. "We've got grants and a couple of forms of money that will cover it all."

A waterline break during the summer of 2022 put the city in a state of emergency.

Silhan said it had been a long road to get here, but the project should be completed within a few weeks if there are no more delays.

"We've got our emergency water pipe repair," Silhan said. "Through a huge amount of help from the EDC, Scott Hutsell and Mark Stedman."

Silhan also credited EDC director Janice Jantz for helping with the $750,000 public works grant.

He said once the water plans are in place, the city can consider upgrading water systems and sewers.