SALAMANCA — A $3.87 million water system improvement project for the City of Salamanca was authorized Wednesday by the Common Council with anticipated grant funding intended to help cover the project costs.

The city is anticipating Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) grant funds totaling $968,370, said Mayor Sandra Magiera.

The city is proposing complete sanitary sewer system improvements to address several violations identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the replacement of 10 manholes, a portion of the sewer main and four lift station pumps, as well as repairing a portion of the sewer main and 15 manholes.

HUNT EAS of Horseheads was hired by the city to develop a preliminary engineering report for the project in March, which came up with a total project estimate of $3,873,480. The city is seeking financial assistance through the 2025 New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s WIIA program.

While the remaining $2.9 million cost of the project would be the city’s responsibility, other future funding sources are being pursued, such as from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Economic Development, USDA Rural Development and the state Environmental Facilities Corporation.

City Clerk Tracy Chamberlain noted that the project would take place over the course of several years and the city could repeatedly apply for grants.

As part of the process, the council also authorized declaring the city as the lead agency for the project’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and determining it is a Type I action.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, the council addressed concerns over the hanging and conditions of a number of Hometown Heroes banners honoring veterans across the city.

Council President Kylee Johnson said the mayor had contacted the Salamanca American Legion, which manages the banners, and was told about 100 banners were not hung up this year because they were in such poor condition.

“But 50 of them are being reprinted,” Johnson said. “Some families chose not to have their banners replaced.”

Those interested in having a family member’s banner reprinted are asked to contact the American Legion at (716) 945-1460 and ask for Sue Williams. The cost to reprint a banner that was printed previously is $86.

Magiera noted that the cost to print a new banner is $185, but applications for new ones were not being accepted at this time.

The mayor also said hanging up the banners is done entirely by volunteers and the city is not responsible for hanging them nor paid to do so.

“Sue told me (the $86 fee) is the exact amount they get charged for reprinting the banners, so no one makes any money on this,” she added.

The council members also thanked those volunteers who have helped hang the banners so far this year and encouraged others who wish to see more banners up to contact the legion to volunteer.