AUGUSTA -- City councilors Monday agreed to help property owners around Togus Pond apply for grants from the Maine Department of Environmental protection to help improve water quality in the lake.

Patten Williams, president of the Worromontogus Lake Association, said the city's participation was crucial in applying for what he estimated could be $70,000 to $100,000 in grants to improve private roads around the lake, because only municipalities and certain nonprofit organizations are eligible for the funds.

"It was critical," Williams said. "It would not have happened" without the city's willingness to step forward and apply for and administer the funds.

The City Council unanimously approved an order to act on behalf of the Togus Pond landowners to help secure the grant.

Williams said the money will not go to his association but will be parceled out to individual road associations and a few private landowners around what is known popularly as Togus Pond.

The grants would pay for about 60 percent of the work, Williams said. Association members will provide matching money as well as volunteer labor on a variety of projects included in the proposal.

Many of the water-quality problems identified around the lake are linked to runoff from dirt roads, he said.

City Manager William Bridgeo said Togus Pond water quality is important to local property owners, the city and public recreation users.

The agreement with the association for help with the administration of the grant application does not violate a controversial policy adopted about two years ago which prohibits the city from maintaining private roads, Bridgeo said, but it does recognize the importance to the city of preserving the lake's water quality.

Bridgeo said the city will contribute about $4,000 in administrative services and some services of the city engineer, and may offer some materials from the city's gravel pit.

"We're not talking about one or two property owners, we're talking about a pretty large association that does a lot of good for the pond and the city," Bridgeo said.

The agreement meets the terms of city and state law and does not set precedents that would undermine city policies regarding maintenance of private roads.

"One of the best products of these efforts has been a better relationship between the city and the pond association," Williams said.

In other action, the City Council unanimously agreed to:

n consolidate voting for all wards during the June 12 election at a single polling place at City Center;

n set evening voter registration hours for the June 12 election for June 7, 1-6 p.m., at the city clerk's office;

n authorize Smokey's Greater Shows to use Mill Park the week of June 17 for a carnival;

n prohibit heavy trucks on Howe Street;

n grant a liquor license to Kenneth J. Rideout Jr., doing business as Ken's Katering, 349 Water St.; and

n held the first of two readings to restrict parking on the south side of Spruce Street near Arsenal Street.

Gary Remal -- 621-5642

gremal@centralmaine.com