MARTIN — The Martin sewer project should begin in earnest in 45 days, city leaders said during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

During the city council’s regularly scheduled meeting, Mayor Thomasine Robinson said the sewer project to replace lift stations and lines should be starting soon, now that the city has been approved for interim financing to pay the upfront costs before being reimbursed by FEMA.

Brett Fisher, with Summit Engineering, said 90 percent of the design for the lift stations is complete, and that next he will begin working on the designs for the lines.

Summit Engineering submitted an invoice for the work the company has completed to date. Following a motion to approve payment of the invoice, council members voted unanimously to do so.

Also during the meeting, Robinson said the firehouse was still moving along, and that the department hoped to be taking up residence in the new building by November.

Council members agreed that this years Red, White, and Blue festival was one of the best in recent memory. Robinson particularly noted the veterans dinner as a success, which she said had an estimated 400 people in attendance.

“Our police department, fire department, and city employees did a fantastic job on the festival,” Robinson said.

Also discussed during the meeting were plans for a Haunted Trail during the Halloween season, and a Christmas Lights project that will be developed further as the season nears.

A report was given on the new gym floor at the community center. Councilman Bobby Dingus said it should be finished in a few days.