VERONA, Va. --
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors narrowly voted 4-3 on Wednesday night
to proceed with the Greenville sewer project after more than an hour of
discussion over a funding shortfall of $445,000 for the more than $4.3 million
project.
Construction work could be finished by the end of
2013, with the hookups to be completed afterward. Supervisors who supported
moving forward with the project, said the three years of work on a sewer system
for Greenville would be lost if the project stalled now.
Middle River Supervisor Larry Wills also spoke
of the lost opportunity to use $2.5 million in funding from the Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality if the project stopped. The funding includes
a $1 million grant and more than $1.5 million in an interest-free loan from
DEQ.
“That money will go somewhere,” Wills said.
Ken Fanfoni, executive director of the Augusta
County Service Authority, said a continued delay in a final go-ahead would
jeopardize the funding stream available from DEQ. Fanfoni said DEQ is “well
aware there is not unanimous support for this project.” But he said at a certain
point, the state agency would withdraw its financial support.
Riverheads Supervisor Mike Shull, whose district
Greenville lies in, said if the project is turned down the federal Environmental
Protection Agency will come back at a later date and ask why that action was
taken. Shull said the cost for funding the project would then go to the county,
and perhaps a greater cost to property owners in Greenville.
Under the current project design, those hooking up
will pay a $1,000 fee and a $55 monthly cost for participating in the sewer
project. To date, there are 135 commitments to hook up to the sewer system.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles said his
research with health department authorities showed there are no failing septic
systems in Greenville.
Pyles said the problems with septic systems in
Greenville are no worse than in other parts of Augusta County. But the board
chairman said if the county had to pay the added $445,000 revealed Wednesday,
the funds would come from the general fund and all county taxpayers.
Pyles suggested tabling an approval of the project,
and going back to all involved to see if there was a way to ask for other funds
to cover the shortfall.
South River Supervisor David Beyeler countered by
saying that county taxpayers provide the infrastructure funds that all
supervisors use in their districts. And, he said, if there is a “sore spot in
Augusta County, it affects the whole county.”
The construction bid for building the sewer system
was awarded to Fielder’s Choice Enterprises of Charlottesville. That company's
bid of $2.875 million included the construction of a gravity line along U.S.
11.
Those supervisors voting to proceed with the
project Wednesday night included Shull, Wills, Beyeler and Wayne District
Supervisor Jeff Moore. Those opposing the project proceeding with the project
now included Pyles, North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie and Beverley Manor
Supervisor David Karaffa.
Similar to Pyles’ sentiments, Karaffa motioned to
table a vote on proceeding with the project now, but his motion died for a lack
of second.
The added $445,000 in funding needed will be
covered in a capital improvements fund set up to cover the additional cost of
the sewer project. This motion by Wills was approved 7-0.
