HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0071Fortner said it cost 50% more to finance projects than it did to pay cash. She said the
previously mentioned COPS extended for 20 years. Mrs. Fortner said it would save the county
money if projects could be paid for as they were built.
Commissioner Bowles said he was understanding the mentioned projects would not address
the needs of Alan D. Rutherford School (ADR) and Wayside School.
Coleman said that was correct.
Commissioner Stewart asked Dr. Coleman if he thought the parents of children at Alan D.
Rutherford and Wayside would have a problem putting this request before their projects.
Dr. Coleman said he would not consider this a priority over ADR/Wayside. He said because
of the funding opportunity, he was approaching the board about the Race Street/Salisbury Road
projects. Coleman said that when he discovered this might be done without a tax increase, he then
decided to propose it.
Commissioner Johnson said he, too, was concerned about the "fallout" that might occur if
the commissioners accelerated this project over the ADR/Wayside School needs.
Mrs. Fortner said she would like the commissioners to work out another way to take care of
the annex and alternative school request. She said the matter was something that needed attention;
however, the county needed classrooms worse.
MOTION by Commissioner Fortner to deny the request at this time.
VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0.
MRS. JOANN JAMES, A RESIDENT OF THE WEST IREDELL COMMUNITY
(Request to speak about the drinking water (iron content) in her neighborhood.): Mrs. James
said she was speaking on behalf of39 families in the west Iredell area (Cannon, Wood Bridge, and
Delaware Roads). James said that all ofthe families had some type of water problem. Mrs. James
said she inherited her father's home and inspected it in October. She found the sinks and bathtubs
covered with iron stains. Her husband removed the stains with chemicals, and the family moved
into the home in February. Mrs. James continued by saying her daughter refused to drink the water
because of the odor. In addition, the daughter did not like to shower because of the discoloration.
James brought a container of water to illustrate the discoloration. She then asked a company to
test the water. The company found a 1.4 level of iron in the water. James said the company
indicated that a normal iron reading was .3. Mrs. James said $2,700 was spent on a third well that
was drilled on her property, but she still had to purchase water to drink, cook, and wash clothes.
Mrs. James said there was a desperate need for a waterline in her community. She said that
recently she met with West Iredell Water. The water company advised that a line extension to the
neighborhood would probably cost about $53,000. West Iredell Water told James the company
might be able to assist in the line with $20,000. The company advised that it would not be able to
drawdown any grant funds because of the recent Sharon School Road project. James said 7,183 with
1'ect
of line was needed. She took a survey in her neighborhood and found there were three homes
multiple wells; ten with discolored water (iron); seven with an unnatural water odor; nine homes
purchased water for drinking, cooking, and clothes washing; and most everyone had low water
pressure. Mrs. James said that over the weekend her water had mud.
Commissioner Fortner asked how many gallons per minute the James family was receiving
with the new well.
Mr. James, who accompanied his wife to the podium, said eight gallons per minute. (The
well was drilled to 205 ft.)