East Spencer to hold public hearing on water-sewer study

Published 12:07 am Monday, March 2, 2015

By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The town board will discuss securing a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant during a public hearing today for a feasibility study on its water and sewer system.

The town has been dealing with its failing system for sometime and has recently obtained $2.4 million to rehab its system. The meeting will be held this evening at 6:30 p.m.

The grant funds will pay for the installation of about 12,000 linear feet of 8-inch and 6-inch water lines. About 4,500 feet of new 12-inch water mains will be installed. The grant will also provide for the replacement of failing service lines, make pavement repairs and any other related improvements.

The town had been working for two years with the N.C. Rural Water Association staff to prepare for the project. In addition, the State Office of Community Assistance worked with town staff, county officials and others to develop a “Gateway Plan.”

The grant contract should be in place by June, with engineering plan approval in place by February 2016. Construction is expected to begin in early 2017.

The board will also:

• Hear a presentation from Hartwell Wright, a human resource consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

• Discuss the Carolina Thread Trail grant agreement. The board received a $30,500 grant from the Carolina Thread Trail to be used to build the first phase of a trail proposed in the Rowan County Carolina Thread Trail plan.

• Discuss results from its board retreat held in early February.

The board meeting will be held in council chambers at town hall, 105 S. Long St.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.