Bertie Co. joins coalition

By Thadd White (Contact) | Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

Published Sunday, November 15, 2009

WINDSOR – The Bertie County Commissioners will have a voice in the Lower Roanoke River Inner Basin Transfer Coalition.

Last week, the board heard a presentation from Gene Addesso regarding the coalition and why the county should join its membership. He informed the board of two pending requests for transfers from the Roanoke River basin – one from the Kerr Lake Regional Water System and one from the Triangle for water allocation.

The Kerr Lake Regional Water System has requested an estimated 24 million gallon per day transfer, but faces stiff conditions under which the transfer could be approved, Addesso said.

Because of the request and those like it, Representative Lucy T. Allen (D-49th) hosted a meeting in Roanoke Rapids to discuss the Roanoke River Inner Basin. At that meeting, the group discussed the possible organization of the Lower Roanoke IBT Coalition.

The group decided to formally organize and therefore have a stronger voice when the state begins to decide about transferring water from the Roanoke River or its tributaries.

Currently, the group is working on becoming a non-profit corporation recognized by both North Carolina and Virginia. They are also working to have those in Virginia join the group.

“If this board came on board, would we have a voice at the table,” asked Bertie Commissioner Rick Harrell.

Addesso said it would be the choice of the board how they would be represented, but they would certainly have the option of having someone at meetings and at some point, serving in leadership if they chose.

Harrell said he believed it would be beneficial to have someone attend the meeting and suggested Bertie County Manager Zee Lamb attend the meeting and report back to board members.

Harrell moved to join the coalition with Commissioner Charles Smith offering a second. The motion passed without objection.

In other business, the board:

* approved the naming of Queenie Lane in the Perrytown Township. The road currently has no name;

* reappointed Commissioner J. Wallace Perry to the Peanut Belt Rural Planning Organization board;

* approved the North Carolina Department of Transportation request for drainage easement on Charles Taylor Road; and

* set Friday, December 11 as the date for the annual Employee Appreciation Lunch.

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