White Bear Township nabs more money for water rebate program

White Bear Press 

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — The township has received an additional $10,000 for the water efficiency rebate program from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment. 

The Town Board approved a request for the funds during its regular meeting April 17. The grant requires a match of one-third of the funds, so the city would add an additional $3,300 to the rebate program. 

If the money is not used before the end of June, it can be returned, noted Town Clerk Bill Short.

“We do have some applicants in line that requested funds after we ran out of funds,” Short said. “So, we think we can handle it. We do have some lined up — although not enough for the entire $10,000 — and we think it’s worth a try.”

Those eligible can receive, according to the township website: 

•Up to $200 for a WaterSense labeled toilet

•Up to $200 for a WaterSense irrigation system controller

•Up to $150 for an Energy Star residential clothes washing machine

Those eligible can apply through mail or in person at the township administrative offices until the end of June.

In other action last week: 

• Supervisors unanimously approved a quote from Modern Fencing for $22,150 for several projects in Polar Lakes Park. The improvements would include adding a batting cage access gate for maintenance projects, repairing the fence that was taken down for drainage and irrigation projects last fall, and removing the existing outfield fence and replacing the posts at field four. The money would come from the Polar Lakes Park Improvement Fund. 

• The board also approved a contract not exceeding $15,000 with Precision Sealcoating Inc. for the company to seal cracks in the road in various parts of town. City staff is contracting the work as staff is currently too busy with maintenance projects as the weather gets warmer. Staff will  update the website for locations of improvements when the work starts to take place. 

• The board heard a report on the Northeast Youth and Family Services program, which is celebrating its 40-year anniversary. President and CEO Jerry Hromatka went over the organization’s services, funding, budget and how Northeast Youth and Family Services aids youth and seniors with mental health issues in White Bear Township and other municipalities that support the program.

  “We don’t say, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ we say, ‘How would you like it to be?’” Hromatka said during the meeting. “What we are trying to do is remove the issue of mental health so kids can learn.” 

 More information about the program can be found at the Northeast Youth and Family Services website, www.nyfs.org.