Pikeville sewer update
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on February 3, 2004 2:02 PM
PIKEVILLE -- The town board learned that the construction of its sewer plant should begin by this summer.
Tyndall Lewis of McDavid Associates, the town's engineer, recommended Monday that the plant's capacity be expanded from 99,000 to 140,000 gallons per day. He submitted the revised construction plans to the state, which were approved in October.
The increased capacity means the town needs additional land, and there is some available east of U.S. 117, he said.
The town should begin receiving bids within three to four months, with construction beginning this summer and the completion date being a year later, added Lewis.
The schedule depends entirely on the N.C. Division of Water Quality, he said.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission approved a $3 million grant for Pikeville in 2001. It also agreed to give the town a $150,000 low-interest loan for the project.
The grant will help build a new sewage treatment plant, upgrade the older pipes, refurbish the old water tower and increase the size of the town's waste spray field. The project also would use treated wastewater for irrigation.
The town has pledged an additional $50,000, and it applied for a grant from the N.C. Rural Center for $400,000. It should hear back on its application this month, and if it not approved, another application can be sent in March, Lewis said.
The total project cost, assuming all the funds are supplied, is $3.6 million. Lewis said the town can still seek money during construction.
Web page
The town should soon have a new home page on the Internet to showcase its businesses, banks, restaurants and other things it has to offer.
Mayor Tony Medlin said it could be a hometown information center with an updated community bulletin board containing announcements of important dates, meetings and events.
Lonnie Graves, town administrator, presented the board members with an example of a potential home page for the town.
The board approved creating it at the cost of $300 and $25 a month to keep it going. It will hold a special meeting on Feb. 16 to give residents and potential advertisers a chance to give their input on the site.
Paving the roads
The board approved paying $1,500 to Best Choice Paving in Greenville to fill in all of the potholes on the town's roads. The money has already been budgeted and the price includes the asphalt and labor.
July 4
The board approved a motion that it is in favor of having the July 4th Celebration again this year.
Rosie Colvin, a member of the July 4th festival committee in year's past, announced at the board's August meeting that the committee would be disbanded after several people said the festival was not a success last year.
Medlin said the event has grown each year over, and he did not want to see it end. It may be sponsored by the Lions Club this year.
Fire inspection
Ray Biggerstaff, the town's fire inspector, resigned Monday, and the town may contract with someone in Goldsboro to be the new inspector. It has already had its annual inspection this year. The discussion was tabled, and the board hopes to have someone in place by March.
Town Hall
Medlin said the renovations in Town Hall should be finished within two to three weeks. The building was painted and two new stormdoors were installed. The board may place money in next year's budget for new ceiling tiles, lights and carpet.
It also renewed its contract with Progress Energy for maintenance of the town's electrical system.