Water Project May Begin Soon
The Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority could possibly break ground on the multi-million County Line Road project later this month, according to the authority’s consulting engineer Frank Sherrill.
Mr. Sherrill said that the biggest factor determining when construction on the project might begin is acquiring all necessary easements from landowners in the area.
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Authority members individually reported on easement assignments made during the December meeting. An overview of those reports revealed that a majority of the easements had been acquired for the project.
Other factors associated with the County Line project discussed included the mayor of Mansfield finally endorsing a contract with the authority. The contract outlines that the water authority and the City of Mansfield will split the cost of installing the water line that is to be laid in Mansfield. However the line will be owned, operated and maintained by Mansfield.
Mr. Sherrill reported that two contracts with the Environmental Protection Department had been completed and a third contract was still in arbitration. He also said that the Bank of Monticello and McIntosh State Bank were both ready to extend the authority a line of credit for the project.
During a discussion of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center water supply project, the authority authorized chairman Merrill Clark and secretary Linda Jordan to endorse the water agreement with the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR has already approved and signed the agreement.
The authority also voted to draft a letter to the City of Monticello asking of their interest, if any, in obtaining a water source in conjunction with the authority and, if so, in what time frame.
Chairman Clark announced that authority member Roger Bell was recently named the 2002 Water Conservation District Supervisor of the Year.
Mr. Bell informed the authority of his presentation to the Economic Development Authority and water technician Tom Brazil reported on a Water Conservation seminar he recently attended.
Mrs. Jordan provided the treasurers report that included a review of 2002 finances which reflect a $11,700 profit. She also reported that one Yancey Road water customer had questioned a December bill.
Guest Keith Ellis, a new Jasper County property owner, explained to the authority that he was a builder by trade and was considering building a subdivision on some recently purchased land in the County Line Road area.
Meeting participants were Doug Thomas, Robert Carter, Brack Pound, Don Kelly, Bill Hughes, Mr. Bell, Mr. Brazil, Mr. Clark, Mrs. Jordan and engineers Tom Garrett and Mr. Sherrill.
