Newton Citizen

PORTERDALE -- The City Council is slated to vote Monday night on an application for a state Community Development Block Grant for sewer repairs in the mill village.

Council members agreed in principle at a work session Thursday night to pursue the grant. City Manager Tom Fox said sewer repairs on the north side of Main Street are needed due to some critical problems with the sewer lines.

The council agreed that it will pursue the sewer grant while simultaneously working to complete an update to its comprehensive land use plan. The update was due about two years ago, but Porterdale has yet to submit a plan to the Department of Community Affairs for approval, though the plan is in the works.

Marty Boyd, an engineer with Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers, told council members Thursday that the plan will need to be completed by May in order to compete for the grants that are awarded in September.

Fox said he thought there would be enough time to complete the plan in time to meet the May deadline.

The comprehensive plan is designed to address a 20-year window and covers a wide range of topics such as land use, economic development, transportation, public safety and stormwater management. Plans are required to be updated a minimum of every 10 years, with some components updated more frequently.

The update to the comprehensive plan is expected to cost Porterdale about $8,500.

The Porterdale City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

The council is also expected to vote on a proposed contract with Frank Sherrill, who has been selected to serve as interim city manager for the city.

City Manager Fox has resigned to accept a position as public safety director for Social Circle. Sherrill will serve on a part-time basis for three months while the city searches for a successor for Fox.