MAPLETON – Council here has approved a letter of intent to work with Graham Capital on completing $25 million worth of upgrades to the township’s water and wastewater systems between now and 2033.
The township received three bids on the partnership: from EPCOR, North American Constructors and Graham Capital.
“Staff agreed unanimously to proceed with Graham capital,” states a report from public works director Jamie Morgan and presented to council on May 14.
The estimated $25-million price tag includes numerous projects related to capacity water storage, treatment, distribution capacity improvements, wastewater treatment capacity expansion, and wastewater conveyance capacity expansion.
The upgrades are needed to keep up with projected population growth in Mapleton, particularly within Drayton and Moorefield, the report states.
The price tag does not include costs such as professional advisory services, site investigations, financing, operation, or maintenance costs.
The partnership with Graham Capital is meant to allow the work to be “bundled, financed, and delivered in a cost-effective manner,” and will leave assets, design, maintenance and operations in the township’s control, the report states.
“Control is a big thing,” Morgan said. “Controlling our assets.”
Graham Capital will provide support with project development, financing, design, construction, operations and maintenance.
Mapleton will continue to also work with Cima Engineering for design services.
Future approval needed
The letter of intent does not include payment – any financial transactions will come back to council for approval, Morgan said during the meeting.
Morgan added his department’s goal is to have “everything up and running by the fall of 2026.”
