JACKSON—The Northampton County Board of Commissioners are moving forward with the county’s Phase V Water System Improvements Project.

On Monday, the board voted to move forward with the $5.8 million project contingent upon review by the county’s auditor and the Local Government Commission.

The improvements would add nearly 84 miles of water mains to the existing system to serve approximately 331 potential new customers. The upgrades would also address contamination and health concerns within the recommended upgrade areas.

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development has offered funds for the project through a grant of $971,000 and a loan of $4,871,000.

At the commissioners’ meeting, Public Works Director Billy Martin presented 13 waterline improvement recommendations as well as the upgrade of two booster pump stations.

Among those areas recommended for water system improvements in the county include the following:

Jordan Mill Road back to Highway 186 near Seaboard with 67 percent of potential customers that have signed up and paid. Construction cost would come in at $133,701.

Mt. Carmel Road near Jackson with 71 percent of potential customers signed up and paid. Construction costs would come in at $180,132.

Tower Road near Galatia with 64 percent of potential customers signed up and paid. Cost of construction would come in at $161,428.

Galatia and Britton Roads near Galatia and Pendleton. Martin said this line is needed for hydraulics and will provide a dual feed to the Galatia and Jackson By-Pass tank. Fifty-nine percent of the potential customers for this segment signed up and rendered payment. Construction costs will come in at $459,364.

Willis Hare, Boone Bridge and Horne roads as well as a portion of Vaughan’s Creek Road from Boone Bridge Road to 223 Vaughan’s Creek Road near Pendleton. Martin said 72 percent of potential customers signed on to be a part of the county’s system and have paid. The cost of construction comes in at $433,278.

From Highway 35 onto Deloatch Mill Road near Pendleton with 75 percent of potential customers that have signed up and paid. Cost of construction is listed at $103,381.

Indian Branch Road to Ashley’s Grove Road to Perdue Hatchery Road and Parker Road to US 258 in the Ashley’s Grove community. Eighty-eight percent of potential customers signed up and paid. Construction cost is $285,072.

From Lasker Golf Course Road onto Collier Road to the intersection of Pin Hook Road near Lasker. Martin said 75 percent of potential customers signed up and construction cost is $48,105.

W.J. Duke Service Road from Rehoboth to Bryantown Road, Cumbo Road at the intersection of W.J. Duke Service Road to Cumbo Church Road. Martin said 83 percent of potential customers signed up. Construction costs is listed at $282,858.

Oak Grove Church Road to Cherry Tree Road in the Vultare Community. Martin noted Cherry Tree Road cannot be serviced with out serving Oak Grove and this particular line is needed for hydraulics as lines are not meeting state regulated pressure for residents if a fire hydrant is opened. Only 57 percent of potential customers signed up. Construction costs comes in at $259,000.

Big John’s Store Road from Cornwallis Road to Bethel Church Road to Conwell Road and Hickory Tree Road from Big John’s Store Road to Cornwallis Road and Highway 301 from Reid Road to Serenity Place in the Gumberry and Garysburg areas. Martin said 69 percent of potential customers signed up. Cost of construction is $424,276.

Jackson By-Pass Road near Jackson with 87 percent of potential customers signed up and paid. Construction cost is listed at $492,124.

Pleasant Grove Road to Jackson By-Pass Road near Jackson with 88 percent of customers signing up and a construction cost of $117,164.

The Hickory Hollow Booster Pump Station ($112,00) and the Squire School Booster Pump ($327,000) are also recommended for upgrades.

Commissioner Virginia Spruill questioned Martin about Cumbo Church Road.

“Cumbo Church Road is where the church has contaminated water,” he said.

“Coming back towards (Highway) 305, do you have any customers there,” Spruill asked.

“Yes, we have 11 potential customers, only five signed up for a 45 percent average,” Martin replied. “And also one of the reasons we, at this point, are not recommending Bolton Road is because is would cost $18,740 per new user.”

“So, really you’re only considering Cumbo Road,” she asked.

“That’s correct,” Martin responded.

“Are there more houses on Bolton road, than Cumbo,” asked Commissioner Chester Deloatch.

Deloatch said he was very familiar with the area and that there were only four houses on Cumbo Road.

“We have to, in order to get to W.J. Duke, we have to do that circle to get to Cumbo to get to the Cumbo and Bolton intersection,” Martin responded.

Deloatch asked if there were any water lines on W.J. Duke Road and how far on the road.

Martin said the water lines currently run to the intersection of W.J. Duke and Rehoboth Church Roads.

“And was that one of the reasons Bolton Road was not included on here…” said Spruill.

“We didn’t have enough sign-ups,” Martin said.

He added that the Phase V Water Improvements project was a work in progress and that he had to reduce a potential $8.1 million worth of projects down to $5.8 million because of funding. That figure is still not an exact cost because the project has yet to be bid out. Martin said the project may still be narrowed down the cost cut back.

“Suppose if there were an effort by folks (on Bolton Road) to encourage others to sign up?” said Spruill. “Would that have any impact at all on this?”

Jenkins said decision will be up to the board and it would be brought back to the board later.

Spruill noted that there may be an effort on the way to get residents on Bolton Road to sign up for the project.

“How much would it cost to add from Bolton Road where it stops to come up past the Deloatch house,” asked Deloatch.

“I do not have those figures at this time,” said Martin.

Commissioner Robert Carter made a motion to move forward with the Phase V Water Improvements project contingent upon review by the county’s auditor and the Local Government Commission; Spruill offered a second. The motion passed in a 4-0 vote. Commission Chair Fannie Greene was absent from the meeting.