PSD?Eases Worries About Dam at Elkwater
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterWorries in the Valley Head area that the Elkwater Fork Dam will not eventually provide water to the community were put to rest Thursday during the Randolph County Commission meeting.
Valley Head residents Carolyn Swecker and Pam Kinder approached the commission to discuss the demand for water. Kinder told commissioners she and other Valley Head residents were concerned the water from the Elkwater Fork Dam would supply Elkins before areas of southern Randolph County.
"What would it take to get water to Valley Head?" Kinder asked commissioners.
Bonnie Serrett of the Huttonsville Public Service District said Valley Head had been part of the plans since 2000.
According to a map, water lines would extend from the planned treatment plant near the Elkwater Fork Dam to Valley Head and other feasible points in Randolph County, Serrett explained with a map.
The plan does extend the water lines north to Elkins. However, the water from those pipes would be used in a drought situation, rather than on a daily basis, according to Serrett.
Plans for the $7.9 million treatment facility have been drawn and funding has been secured, according to Serrett.
In order to extend the water lines to Valley Head, 80 percent of the residents must commit that they will hook up to the lines, Serrett said. The scenario has already occurred.
To date 92 percent of residents in Valley Head have signed petitions stating they would like to receive water provided by a PSD, Serrett and Kinder said. Approximately 35 people who reside in Mingo have committed to hooking up to the potential water lines, according to Serrett.
Going from well water to city water won't happen overnight, Serrett explained. The dam itself is not finished and construction on the treatment facility has not started. When work on the treatment plant does begin, the Valley Head water project will be sent for approval, Serrett explained.
Having public water will likely decrease home owners' insurance and increase property value, Serrett said.
In other business:
- Commissioners unanimously approved hiring Spencer Eppley as the administrative assistant for the Office of Emergency Management.
- Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Chelley Depp presented the CVB's annual report. Depp told commissioners the CVB's new permanent home on North Randolph Avenue is an ideal location.
- Commissioners unanimously approved Glen and Judy Koon as the new volunteer coordinators for CERT.
- Commissioners unanimously approved the resignation of E-911 employee Julie Paugh.
- Commissioners unanimously accepted a $50,000 Helvetia Community Participation Grant by Gov. Joe Manchin for the construction of new community restrooms.
- Commissioners unanimously approved precincts 27 and 28 polling place be moved from Elkins Middle School to the National Guard Armory for the 2008 General Election.
