In the Brundidge City Council meeting Tuesday, City Manager Britt Thomas pitched ideas for the next application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

After being denied the grant last year for the first time since 1995, Thomas told the council it is important to pick projects that lawmakers deem important to municipalities.

“Let’s come up with something we know is a priority,” he said.

Thomas proposed a three-part project to do so.

“We can combine some water rehabilitation to provide some fire protection, and sewer rehabilitation and demolition to remove safety hazards,” he said.

Thomas cited 50-year-old, two-inch, galvanized water lines on Caldwell Street near the housing authority as one problem area.

In order to have adequate fire protection, he said the city would need at least six-inch water lines, also the legal minimum requirement to install fire hydrants.

“Thankfully right now we don’t have a lot of fires, but when you do, you want to have the water put it out,” Thomas said.

“Right now, we can’t do that.”

Along with adequate water systems, Thomas said sewage and safety improvements were some projects likely to be funded in the form of a CDBG.

Both Thomas and council member Lawrence Bowden agreed that there should be a sense of urgency in the plan’s development in order to comply with the August 2 deadline to apply for the CDBG.

By the next city council meeting, Thomas said he would have a more specific concept and some preliminary numbers. Within a month Thomas said to expect a polished proposal.

“Between now and the middle of July, we want to nail down what we want to do for the grant writer,” he said.

Thomas said the estimated two-year project could reach up to $500,000, with $100,000 of that requiring city funding.

In other business, the council discussed initial ideas for a parking lot in the area adjacent to the Brundidge Station parking lot and playground equipment for Galloway Park.

“We’re talking about concepts right now,” Thomas reminded the council after showing them some initial ideas.

Both projects are in early stages and Thomas said more information would follow.