Water line extension project in Cedar Creek receives funding

Funding for the water line extension for Cedar Creek is approved by the Bath Board of Supervisors.  At it’s monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the board voted unanimously to commit $680,000 for the project in next year’s budget.  The Bath County Public Service Authority will be advised to move forward and bid the water line extension project and be sure that all easements are complete and legally binding.  And then work can start on the project soon after next year’s budget goes into effect on July 1, 2015.

The board was considering amending the current year’s budget to take out $680,000 for the project.  That was one option among several, but the board voted instead on commitment of the funding from next year’s budget.  There was a public hearing held on Tuesday night regarding the possible amendment of the current budget to fund the project.  Nine people spoke in favor of funding for the water line extension and several emails were also received by county administration in support of it.  One speaker, who was in support of the project, also expressed concern about amending the current budget.

And the board also voted to request meetings to be held on a regular basis between the board of supervisors and the public service authority to discuss short and long term plans on water projects in the county.

Following the vote, Board Chairman Bruce McWilliams spoke about addressing all water needs in Bath County.    He urged everyone to keep in mind that what affects one district affects every district and that the county needs to be looked at as a whole.  He said there are water needs in other parts of the county too and there are some communities with water and some without.  McWilliams said the county needs to get safe drinking water to everybody.