By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Salisbury-Rowan Utilities has put together an incentive program for restaurants that will have to change out their grease interceptors or traps to meet new city standards.
The incentive grants will range from $500 to $1,500, depending on how fast the businesses install the appropriate-sized trap or interceptor for their operations.
The incentive grants are seen as helping to offset some of the costs for engineering and construction, especially for small restaurants.
The city will have a compliance deadline of three years.
Restaurants which install an approved trap or interceptor within the first year can receive a $1,500 grant; within two years, $1,000; and within three years, $500.
Salisbury City Council approved Tuesday an ordinance related to sewer use and grease, oil and sand interceptors and a FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) program.
The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources requires utilities to have the FOG programs, and Salisbury is one of the last to comply, according to City Manager David Treme.
Councilman Bill Burgin questioned whether the Salisbury ordinance would be requiring oversized traps or interceptors that would prove too costly for many establishments.
Councilman Mark Lewis said what Burgin really was asking was, “Is this a Cadillac or a Chevy?”
Treme said he thought the ordinance set forth a minimum requirement “to get the job done.”
“I don’t believe it’s a Cadillac,” he said.
Just for reference sake, Burgin asked staff to calculate the size of grease trap the new Olive Garden restaurant would be required to have under the new ordinance. Staff will return in a couple of weeks with that information.
In other business Tuesday, council:
– Approved seeking state loan assistance for the $6.5 million Town Creek interceptor sewer line, which the city plans to extend south on Interstate 85 to serve four exits. Rowan County is a partner in the project with Salisbury.
Salisbury-Rowan Utilities will be seeking the money as part of the federal stimulus package for infrastructure coming to the state. Salisbury will request $3 million, of which $1.5 million would be in the form of a no-interest loan, and $1.5 million would be principal forgiveness ó essentially a grant.
– Approved an application for $160,754 in Justice Assistance Grant Recovery funds for the Salisbury Police Department. The Police Department must make its grant application in partnership with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, which seeks $50,900.
– Approved a final subdivision plat for Hidden Creek, meaning it has taken over maintenance responsibilities for the streets in that subdivision off Jake Alexander Boulevard.
– Gave a one-year extension to the Kelly-Salisbury site plan for a hotel and restaurant development in the 1100 block of East Innes Street, where the Waffle House used to be located. The developer must complete all infrastructure improvements by Dec. 17.
– Heard a 2009-2010 budget request from the Salisbury-Rowan EDC for $69,498, which has been the city’s usual allocation (not counting funds toward the Rowan Jobs Initiative) for the past five years.
– Held a reception and formally recognized the Salisbury High Lady Hornets basketball team, recent winners of the N.C. 2A championship. Tuesday was Salisbury High School Lady Hornets Basketball Day in the city.