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6/02/2025
“Helena This Week” is reported and written By JoVonne Wagner. Send your Helena news and tips to [email protected].
East Helena officials say the changes are needed to keep up with the unexpected housing boom
Aging infrastructure and a growing community have led East Helena to invest in a new headworks building, which is funded in part through a $6.9 million loan from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, according to city officials.
Earlier this month, East Helena City Council members approved a resolution issuing a nearly $7 million state revolving loan through the DNRC to fund upgrades to the community’s wastewater treatment plant’s headworks building.
East Helena officials began pursuing the sewer system project in 2017 because the treatment plant, which is more than 25 years old, is at the end of its life span, with city operators experiencing maintenance issues, according to East Helena Public Works Director Kevin Ore.
However, with the unexpected boom in housing development, Ore added that East Helena will need adequate water treatment systems to support the growing number of residents.
“ Nobody even thought that East Helena was gonna grow, like there was no talk of growth,” Ore told Montana Free Press. “Certainly no talk of 5,000-plus homes of what we’re facing now. I mean, we’re really on a steep growing curve of population increase. So as we worked through design and realized what that growth was gonna look like and stuff, of course, the scope of the project got bigger.”
A bigger project meant finding more money to fund it. That’s when the city secured the $6.9 million sewer system revenue bonds from the DNRC Water Pollution Control State Revolving Loan program. Ore said the Environmental Protection Agency would pay off about $850,000 of that loan once the project is completed.
East Helena residents would gradually repay the remaining loan through sewer fees, which increased from $66.40 to $71.50 monthly. Ore said the rates will continue to increase by about $1.50 annually.
In addition, the city also utilized about $2.2 million of its ARPA funding and, along with $625,000 from the state’s coal endowment program and about $28,300 in local funds, brought the total cost of the project, including design, engineering and construction, to about $9.8 million.
The headworks upgrade project, located at 3301 Plant Road west of East Helena High School, is the first phase in the city’s process of updating the entire wastewater plant and is expected to be completed in 2027. Ore said the loan is estimated to be paid off within the next 30 years.
While East Helena will likely continue to see increases in size and population, the city is trying to minimize the impact that growth has on current residents by implementing fees for incoming developers.
Ore said that the city has not received much public opposition to the sewer rate changes during city meetings.
“I think most people recognize that we have to have the ability to have a sewer plant that treats your wastewater,” Ore said. “Nobody likes to see rate increases go up, but I think the vast majority of the public that came to those meetings understood that there was a need for it, and that’s infrastructure that has to be kept in operation.”
Public Notice
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation began wildfire fuel reduction last week west of Helena near Lombardy Drive. The work is expected to take up to a month and, according to a DNRC press release, is intended to decrease the threat of wildfire by thinning out young conifer trees. Reduction efforts will cover about 140 acres, which will remain open to members of the public. DNRC encourages people to recreate responsibly and give crews space to work. For more information on local fuel reduction, visit the DNRC website.
5 Things to Know in Helena
HPD investigation: The Helena Police Department investigated a death that occurred last week near Cruse Park. On May 28, police officers witnessed a group of individuals consuming alcohol and advised them to leave the area, according to a department press release. A citizen then notified an officer that one individual from the group was lying on the sidewalk and appeared in distress. Officers administered first aid and called EMS, but the individual died. According to an IR report, the cause of death was determined to be from natural causes, detailing that the deceased suffered from a cardiovascular disease.
Child care support funding available: The Early Childhood Collaborative announced last week the relaunch of its Gap Scholarship aimed at providing financial support for child care to local families in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson and Broadwater counties. The scholarship provides up to $1,000 per child and is available for children up to 5 years old. To be eligible to qualify, families must have a household income under $135,270, use a licensed operating child care facility and not receive the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. Applications are due by Tuesday, July 15. Visit the Early Childhood Collaborative website to apply.
City discusses sustainability projects: During a city meeting last week, the commission discussed funding five sustainability projects totaling $243,500. Among those projects were an $80,000 glass crusher, $96,000 in additional funding for the city’s Efficient and Renewable Energy Loan Program and $60,000 for an electric vehicle. While commissioners briefly discussed purchasing a hybrid instead, they gave city staff direction to move forward in appropriating funds for all projects in the upcoming budget. However, buying a vehicle is on hold until commissioners can discuss alternatives during a later meeting.
Passenger rail authority rallies for support: Last Tuesday, Gregory Thomas, the Greater Helena area representative for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, facilitated an open house at Ten Mile Creek Brewery to answer questions and discuss ways local residents can help support the potential passenger rail route. Thomas said that a stop along the route in Helena would promote tourism, economic growth and impact property value. While Lewis and Clark County has not joined the rail authority and its $11 million planning efforts, the city of Helena allocated funds to support the project last year. Thomas told MTFP that events like the open house are a “call to action” for community members to become more involved. Thomas will host another open house on Monday, June 16, at Brothers Tapworks, 40 S. Last Chance Gulch, at 6 p.m.
County settles with HOA: Lewis and Clark County has agreed to settle a lengthy legal dispute from 2015. The Bridge Creek Estates Homeowners Association filed a lawsuit against the county due to subdivision development issues regarding water system connection requirements. The county, HOA and developer Philip R. Wirth disputed who is responsible for water services, infrastructure and covenant enforcement regarding the underdeveloped lots. The county agreed to pay $48,600 to the HOA to cover its legal fees. All parties are released from any further claims related to the case.
Might Be Fun
Swing into the week: The Gold Bar and Western, 406 N. Last Chance Gulch, will hold a country swing dance class on Monday evening from
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Accessibility improvements in the works for Montana’s new executive residence, state says
The Gianfortes pledged to donate the Hauser mansion to the state of Montana so the building can serve as the official governor’s residence for future elected officials. That donation is now complete, making the building a public asset. But the state’s acquisition of the historic, multi-floor residence raised a specific question for a recent Montana Free Press reader: Does the building comply with the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act that requires public buildings to be physically accessible?
