Concerns about two ailing Commissioners led Chairman Nick Picerno to call off the scheduled resumption of a lengthy public hearing on the Pine Forest PUD rezoning request that was slated for the Moore County's Board of Commissioners Tuesday, March 15 regular meeting.
Both Commissioners Tim Lea and Jimmy Melton are recovering from health issues. The Pine Forest hearing is scheduled to resume at a Tuesday, March 29 Special meeting of the Board, starting at 5:00 pm.
East Moore Water District
Meeting as the Board of Directors of the East Moore Water District [EMWD], the Commissioners approved a service and water purchase contract between EMWD and the County that bring up to 1.25 million gallons per day of water from the district to county customers in Vass, Hyland Hills, Pinehurst, and Seven Lakes.
The Moore County Public Works Department will pay the EMWD for water used monthly. EMWD will pay Public Works for meter installation and tap-ons to the water system in the District.
Water System Upgrade
With Commissioner Tim Lea in opposition, the Board approved a pre-application to the NC Rural Economic Development Center for a waterline upgrade project on Midland Road that will allow expansion of Carolina Eye Associates [CAE].
The total cost of the waterline upgrade is $724,800, less a grant from the Rural Center for $151,000. The grant will be given with an agreement that fifteen new jobs will be created by the CAE expansion.
Moore County is picking up the tab for two-thirds — or $408,200 — after the grant is applied to the project, leaving CAE to pay the remaining $166,600. The upgrade will allow CAE to meet Pinehurst fire flow regulations of 1,500 gallons per minute and will also help eliminate a bottlenecking problem in portions of the county water system that serve customers in Pinehurst.
Commissioner Lea argued that the project will set a precedent for developers and businesses to come to Moore County requesting money for similar ventures. The county hopes to recoup $241,600 from future tap on fees to help cover the cost of the project.
Other Business
In other business during their March 15 meeting, the Commissioners approved $26 million in borrowing to fund expansion and improvements at the Addor wastewater treatment plant.
