The city anticipates repairs to Franklin Street to be completed in about a month.

Today an excavator operator began the opening work that will lead to the re-laying of one pipe and the placement of a new one destroyed in Saturday’s flooding.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said this afternoon the city is also waiting to hear from the state about declaring the city a disaster area after 11 inches of rain fell in five hours.

A tree and other debris in the pipe may have helped lead to its failure in this photo provided by the city.

That proclamation should allow the city to get reimbursement for debris removal. Scherer said it is his understanding the city would be eligible for 75 percent reimbursement if the city were declared a state disaster area.

A state assessment team toured damaged areas Monday. Scherer said the estimate of buildings damaged — 75 — has not changed.

He said the city hopes to hear from the state in two days.