Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504260003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: B. LYNN WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
Tuesday night, board Chairman George Hedrick read a resolution from the town of Narrows indicating that it might withdraw from the proposed Public Service Authority because the authority's mission has changed. The resolution cited as examples the board's decision to assume responsibility for the Hoges Chapel system and its involvement with the Ram/Wayside project.
In response, County Administrator Janet Tuckwiller read a letter from Tim Brown, executive director of the PSA. Brown said Phase 1 of the project has not taken on a larger scope than the original, which envisions linking the five towns (Glen Lyn, Rich Creek, Narrows, Pearisburg and Pembroke) and the county as participants.
And he said the acquisition of Hoges Chapel and other county concerns ``have resulted in no agreed-upon cost increases whatsoever.''
The board informally endorsed the comments in Brown's letter, saying it was an appropriate response to Narrows' resolution.
Tuckwiller read aloud a similar letter from Brown to the town of Pearisburg, which also is unhappy with the proposed PSA. The town has expressed an ``unwillingness to accept responsibility for any of the transmission-line costs.'' The bottom line is that Pearisburg too, may withdraw its participation in the PSA.
If the agreement between the towns to help fund the PSA falls apart, the county may have to increase its funding.
So far, Supervisor Jay Williams said, the county has committed to bear 40 percent of the cost.
In other water news, supervisors heard County Engineer Jerry Mabry advise accepting the low bid ``to make an emergency bore to correct the leak'' in the Hoges Chapel lines under U.S. 460 if the problem worsens.
Supervisor Bobby Compton asked where the money would come from to operate the Hoges Chapel system. Citing phone calls from constituents about the acquisition, he questioned whether the PSA would get the go-ahead from the towns. ``The county does not need to get in the water business,'' he said. The supervisors supported Mabry's recommendation 3-1.
For much of the meeting, the board heard representatives from eight groups ask for a slice of the county revenue pie.
The School Board wanted an additional $46,102 to help fund 3 percent raises for most employees and include bus drivers in the Virginia State Retirement System. Social Services requested a portion ($35,000) of money left from this year's budget be placed in reserve for furniture, a computer and a car. The Area Agency on Aging wanted a 3 percent increase of Giles' share of its budget, which totaled $187.
The board members voted unanimously to grant the requests made by the school system, Social Services and the Area Agency on Aging.
They deferred action on funding appeals from the Health Department, the New River Community Services Board, the Women's Resource Center, New River Community Action and New River Free Clinic.
In other business, supervisors approved using credit cards to pay membership fees and other purchases at Castle Rock.
Board members went into executive session to discuss acquisition of Industrial Development Authority property near Pembroke, and the intermunicipal water agreement. They took no action.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***