The Benton Township Board of Trustees has approved an application seeking a state grant for a $900,000 sewer project planned along Crystal Avenue.

At their regular meeting Tuesday, trustees heard from Steve Ooosting of engineering firm Prein and Newhof that the Michigan Water-Related Infrastructure Program is taking applications for projects that could protect public health in communities with low to moderate incomes. He said issues with the sewer line along Crystal near Empire Avenue make the line replacement project a fit for that program.

“The need for the project is because of the poor condition of the existing sewer, which has experienced breaks and repairs in the past, and is routinely in need of maintenance with township maintenance personnel to keep the sewer in operation at that location to prevent wastewater backups into homes,” Oosting said.

Oosting said the real issue for trustees to decide was how much of a local match to offer with the grant. The more a community offers to put up as a match, the more points the state awards its application. Oosting said to get the maximum points possible, Benton Township would have to offer a 25% match, which amounts to $225,000. Trustees then approved the grant application with that $225,000 match, meaning if the township gets the grant, it would be for $675,000.

The work in question would be along Crystal Avenue from Empire to about a mile south.

It will be months before the township learns if it’s been approved for the grant.