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The City of Rockingham received a letter from the governor recently that included some very good news: The city’s request for a $720,000 Community Development Block Grant has been granted.

It’s particularly wonderful news for the property owners along South Street in East Rockingham, who will one day soon be able to connect to the city’s sewer system, and forget trying to rely on a series of old and failing septic tanks in that area.

The antiquated and failing septic tanks along South Street were characterized as a “real serious problem” by city officials who wrote the grant request.

“The City of Rockingham continues to be fortunate to be able to provide much needed improvement for our citizens,” said City Manager Monty Crump.

The $720,000 infrastructure grant will help pay for new public sewer lines along South Street. The extent of the project will be discussed by the Rockingham City Council when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 514 Rockingham Road.

Also on Tuesday, the council will consider appointments to a steering committee to oversee updating of the city’s overall land use plan. “Shaping Our Future: 2012” was adopted in July 2002 and expires this year. It served as the guide for most land use decisions and many special projects over the last decade, and must be updated.

City Planning Director John Massey is recommending creation of a 16-member steering committee that includes all eight Planning Board members.

Others suggested for appointment to the steering committee include: Tim Hayden, Eric Thompson, Jim Wallace, Mark Tyler, Ellen Covington, Ed Chism, Steve Davis, Jason Deane and Jerry Murphy.

These names were discussed by councilmen at the September meeting. Massey was going to contact them to see who would be willing to serve on the special committee and report back to the City Council.

Other matters on the council’s agenda for Tuesday include:

• An update on the Rockingham-Ellerbe Wastewater Project.

• Consideration of an order to demolish a dilapidated dwelling at 200 Hamer Road.

• Consideration of a $40,000 grant program for sewer hook-ups.

• Review of an equal employment and procurement plan, extending to 2015.

• Review a fair housing plan that would extend to the year 2016.

— Editor John Charles Robbins can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 13, or by email at jrobbins@heartlandpublications.com.