|
By Bob Weaver
Several Calhoun citizens turned out to a special public hearing in support of
extending water service to Sand Ridge, Millstone, and Route 16 south to the Clay
County line.
The project is expected to bring service to about 200 homes.
The southern Calhoun project is "on the board," with engineer Jim Hildreth
indicating he is hopeful it will not take as long as previous projects.
"Our drilled wells have gas leaking into them," said Millstone resident Gordon
McKee. "The water has a bad taste. It has all gone bad. We need public
water."
Russett resident Jackie Robinson said there is no water in the wells to sustain a
household.
"The water table seems to have dropped," said Dean Stump, who lives on Big
Run.
Patty Little said the cisterns have to have water hauled to fill them and "There's
not enough water to do laundry."
"Not enough water from wells, springs and cisterns, all together," commented
Roscoe Gainer. One woman said her family had to take turns with showers on
alternate days.
The meeting was conducted by the Calhoun Commission yesterday evening in
Grantsville.
Tim Meeks, a representative of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, had asked
county residents for comments and letters in support of the $4 million
project.
Meeks is making an additional application for a Small Cities Block Grant in the
amount of $1.5 million, to add to $2.5 million already designated for the
project.
Additional comments or letters of support can be sent to the Mt. Zion Public
Service District.
Meanwhile, the Back Fork-Yellow Creek water project is under construction,
according to Jim Hildreth of Boyles and Hildreth engineering of Spencer.
Bosley Construction Company of Parkersburg has received the contract for
constructing the water service to 52 customers in northern Calhoun.
Construction will involve approximately 42,000 linear feet of waterline, fifteen fire
hydrants, and necessary appurtenances.
The company bid $837,000 on the Pleasant Hill Public Service District
project.
State Director Jenny Phillips announced that Rural Development has approved
subsequent grant funding in the amount of $225,000 for Pleasant Hill Public
Service District.
The supplemental grant will reportedly fill in the financial gaps in extending
public water service to rural residents.
| 
