Roads And Water Discussed At Highland Supervisors Meeting

Monterey, Va – The McDowell water system and county roads were on the minds of the Highland County Board of Supervisors at their meeting Tuesday evening. Susan Hammond, from the Virginia Department of Transportation Lexington residency was at the meeting to make the monthly report on county roads and projects.

Supervisor Rexrode asked Ms. Hammond about the plans for the Bullpasture River crossing on Route 612. Hammond says VDOT is in the process of submitting two proposals for the work for environmental review. She says one proposal calls for a pre-cast concrete slabs, the other is a tile matrix that uses natural river bed material between the tiles.

Supervisor Rexrode also asked her about a private landowner’s new entrance onto Route 250 on Shaw’s Ridge east of McDowell. She agrees with Rexrode that the entrance in question is dangerous. However, she also points out that the entrance is the only accessible point on the privately owned property.

“What our job is in that kind of situation is to make sure that, given the frontage that a property owner has, that we give the safest location that they can install that entrance solely within the frontage that they own” says Hammond.

Ms. Hammond said that VDOT would look into the best way to address that safety issue.

Next, the Supervisors held a public hearing on the McDowell Water System Cross Connection Control Program. County Attorney Melissa Dowd says the ordinance is required by the Virginia Dept of Health for any water system that has more than 15 users. She says it deals directly with the connection between the McDowell water system and the end users residence. The purpose is to prevent any backflow or siphoning.

Ms. Dowd recommended that the board review the ordinance in detail, list any questions they have and then discuss the ordinance and take action at the August meeting. The board approved her suggestion.

Mr. Jim Armstrong of McDowell, addressed the board regarding his problems with the water system. His water contains a lot of sediment and he has replaced hot water heaters 3 times in 2 years. The water is also not fit for drinking.

Mr. Armstrong’s line is at the end of the water system and sediment from the lines accumulates there. Supervisor Jerry Rexrode promised to see that his problem is addressed as soon as possible.

In other business, the Board approved a request for a fireworks permit by the Highland County Fair Association.