
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 29, 1995                   TAG: 9509290082
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STATE DECLARES EMERGENCY IN BOONES MILL

Boones Mill Town Council declared a state of emergency Sunday, and by Thursday the governor agreed - the town's broken water system needs help.

Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, said state officials inspected the stalled system and concurred with the town's council members that the town's periods of up to 36 hours without water qualify as a state of emergency.

This is a step forward for the town of about 300, which is seeking money already set aside for such projects. However, it does not guarantee that the grant will be approved, Dudley said.

The special grant funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development expire Oct. 31.

The town has been without water for extended periods over the past few months, but last week, the system died.

There's plenty of water, but the pipes that it flows through are 50 years old and ``beyond repair,'' according to Councilman Phil Randolph.

He said the grant paperwork must be complete by Oct. 31.

Dudley said if the town meets the criteria for the grant, which he believes it will, the council should hear soon afterward whether it will get it.

Only then can the town proceed with hiring people to repair the system.

by CNB