Video: Sewage Improvments Begin in Crawford

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CRAWFORD, Miss. (WCBI)- Every town must maintain infrastructure to keep their community safe, sanitary and livable. But those improvements are expensive and city leaders must find ways to upgrade without draining the budget or increasing taxes.

In the town of Crawford, quality of life is finally improving. A combined grant will allow the community to pay for sewage line improvements.

The stench of sewage seeping though Shelia Boswell’s backyard is a main concern since her family moved to Crawford nearly 3 years ago.

“The foul smell, the children weren’t able to go uot because of the back up in the yard,” says Boswell.

But that will soon change, and Shelia couldn’t be happier.

“It will be a better environent. they will be able to go out and play without me worried about whether they’re in it or getting any types of infections or anything from it,” says Boswell.

Crawford has a $800,000 budget, thanks to federal and state grants. Now that finances are in place, sewage-lines along MLK Drive, North Farmers and South Farmers Market Street will soon be repaired.

Mayor Fred Tolon says the community has been dealing with sewage and odor problems for decades. The Crawford native says he’s excited to see the small Lowndes County headed in the right direction.

“I’m so thankful to finally get it going because it was a long road in getting it there. Over a 30 year period of time we’ve been trying to get sewer down in that area. I’m just glad to be around to see it come to pass,” says Mayor Tolon.

For Shelia Boswell, and her children, the time spent in their backyard will soon be a little sweeter.

“I just wanna thank my Mayor for being able to get the Grant to go through,” says Boswell.

The project is expected to be completed in March.