Essex has been denied $2.8-million in government funding from both levels of government to help deal with major basement flooding issues in the municipality.
The town still says it plans to move forward with implementing its proposed solutions.
“We’re disappointed that our grant application was denied,” says Chris Nepszy, Director of Infrastructure and Development. "We took steps in our 2016 budget process to ensure that we have funds to move forward with this project even without the grant application."
The Town has completed a work plan and timeline, but a 30-day public comment period is required, which ends January 14.
After this is finished, officials will obtain ministry approvals, complete design drawings and prepare contract documents prior to issuing public tenders for the first two phases of construction.
Essex continues to offer a flood protection subsidy program of up to $1,775 per home.
Many residents have been complaining for some time that their basements keep flooding, some even threatened to sue.
Some of the flooding will be "mitigated" when construction starts this spring.
