Stevensville accepts $57,600 MDT grant for airport mower; council approves taxi‑lane rehab task order

Stevensville — The Town Council on March 26 voted to accept a Montana Department of Transportation grant offer of $57,600 to purchase a tractor mower for the Stevensville Airport and separately approved Task Order #5 for construction management of an airport taxi‑lane rehabilitation project.

Airport representative Mr. Germaine said the grant check is expected mid‑summer and that the mower will replace volunteer and borrowed equipment used for years. "Yes, $57,600," he said when asked about the grant amount, and he noted mowing of roughly 74 acres is required at the field; volunteers have performed most mowing historically.

On the taxi‑lane project, Tyler Reed of Morris presented Task Order #5, describing full‑time inspection, geotechnical testing, surveying and closeout services. Reed said the contract covers rehabilitation of the oldest taxi lanes (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta), the construction window is 28 calendar days (21 working days) and the FAA will cover 95% of the project's eligible costs, with state/local partners covering the remaining share.

Council members moved, seconded and approved acceptance of the grant and the task order during the same meeting. Town staff said the mower purchase and contract are part of planned airport maintenance and grant‑funded capital work; the town will return with any further procurement details required by grant conditions.