Pikeville 'wish list' gets board oversight
By Gary Popp
Published in News on March 20, 2012 1:46 PM
PIKEVILLE -- Town officials met Monday to discuss projects they would like to see funded in the next budget year.
"Tonight we are here to create kind of a wish list," Mayor Johnny Weaver said.
The largest project discussed was moving the town hall building to it previous location at 112 SW Railroad St.
The town moved its government offices in 2009 because of the building's structural problems. For the past three years, the town hall has been located in a small metal building at 100 W. School St. in Dees Memorial Park.
The project would cost an estimated $200,000. With interest rates low, Weaver said now is a good time to begin the process of getting the money to renovate, or to rebuild, the previous site.
One possibility is a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan at 3.25 percent interest to be paid over 40 years. That would cost the town between $8,000 and $10,000 a year, Weaver said.
But the federal assistance is not a guarantee. To be eligible, the town must be denied comparable loans from local banks, it was noted.
Other projects mentioned included:
* Repaving and grading the shoulders at the dead end of Ann Drive. Officials said the shoulder is being washed out during heavy rains. The project has an estimated cost of $11,800.
* Repaving the entire length of School Street. The job has a projected cost of $15,500.
* Repairing the storm water drop inlet on Goldsboro Street in front of Dollar General. Estimate to make the repair is $13,775.
Requests for public works projects included the purchase of a sewer camera to inspect pipe lines. The cost was estimated at $11,325.
The cost of upgrades to the waste water system was estimated at $20,037. Officials said the current infrastructure is in need of new filters and nozzles.
Commissioners also noted the need to replace a fire hydrant at the corner of Church and Railroad streets, which would cost the town an estimated $5,500. Another proposed project would replace a water line on Washington Street that serves a number of homes on School Street. Commissioners said the current water line leaks and is exposed above the ground. The cost was estimated at $6,000.
Police officials said the department needs a new patrol car. Commissions said the board can consider $30,000 for a new vehicle or $15,000 for a used car.