Posted on February 25, 2026
By Hannah Yahne
ROSWELL, Ga. — The City Council accepted an application from the Chickering Lake subdivision for Roswell’s dredging assistance program.
Any financial help from the city, though, will be determined later.
Council member Christine Hall, who lives in the subdivision, recused herself from the vote.
Roswell’s dredging assistance program offers a reimbursement of up 50 percent and no more than $500,000 for eligible subdivisions to help cover dredging costs. In the 2026 budget, the city set aside $250,000 for the dredging assistance program knowing that it had two forthcoming applications.
At a Feb. 9 meeting, dredging assistance applications from Nesbit Lakes and Chickering Lake subdivisions were presented, and both requested a 50 percent reimbursement.
Nesbit Lakes’ application was approved, and the council fulfilled its 50 percent reimbursement request, which is more than $304,000. That same evening, Chickering Lake’s application was deferred to allow staff an opportunity to find $325,000 in additional revenue that will allow for a 50 percent reimbursement.
Speaking at the Feb. 23 meeting, Assistant City Attorney Joseph Cusack said that accepting Chickering Lake’s application is necessary for the subdivision to be eligible for reimbursement. But, he emphasized that this does not include funding. If a funding source is found, a budget amendment will come before the council in the coming weeks.
Members of the Chickering Lake Homeowners Association (HOA) and residents tried to sway the council, saying the project cannot be completed without financial support from the city.
Chickering Lake Homeowners Association Treasurer Cary Dunning speaks to the Roswell City Council Feb. 23, advocating for approval of the subdivision’s application for dredging assistance.
HOA Treasurer Cary Dunning said the neighborhood has already committed significant expenses to the project from securing loans and finding a contractor.
Another HOA member, Dan Forrester, said they have set aside money for years to fund the project. If the council does not approve to reimburse Chickering Lake with the requested $325,000, he said the HOA will have to raise dues significantly, placing a burden on the subdivision’s residents.
“We were always under the understanding that we would have 50 percent of it (dredging costs) paid for through this assistance program that has been in place,” Forrester said.
Chickering Lake resident Lindsey Dean asked if contingency funds could be put toward this project because it is an incidental expense.
“Before we go funding fancy projects, let’s just stick to what we agreed we would do together,” Dean said. “I believe that the contingency funds are there for a reason, and the reason is this.”
HOA President Mike Worden emphasized the commitment that Chickering Lake has already shown to the project.
“We’re serious about being a good partner for stormwater management here in Roswell,” Worden said. “We’ve proven ourselves to be a reliable partner. We will continue to do so … and all I ask is that you guys are a reliable partner as well.”
In other matters at the Feb. 24 meeting, the council approved over $1 million in contracts to renovate the Crabapple Center.
The recreation center is being reconfigured to offer six dance studios, multiple rehearsal studios and a multipurpose band room. It will be home to Roswell’s performing arts programs which has outgrown the Roswell Physical Activity Center with its 3,000 participants.
The consent agenda included approval for the Roswell Fire Department to apply for a $1.4 million federal grant. If awarded the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, funding will go toward modernizing alert systems in fire stations and replacing the self-contained breathing apparatuses that firefighters wear on their backs.
The next Roswell City Council meeting will be March 9 at 6 p.m.
