Oak Ridge Town Council on Oct. 9 approved an addendum to the town's engineering services agreement to design a 12-inch water line along NC 150 and the Towne Ford/Calport Loop water main, a staff member told the council. "The request before you this evening, however, is simply for design and engineering of that loop, which is at $109,900," the staff member said.

The design work is intended to allow a future connection to the JPC utility system, which the property owner has committed to pursue "subject to regulatory approvals," staff said. The council packet estimated that construction to extend water to the JPC utility system would cost about $420,000; completing the entire Calport Loop was estimated at $1.759 million.

The town has already secured substantial outside funding for its water program, and a council member said the project reflects sustained investment. "First, the vision of those who believe that it was possible, and persevered and planned for it. Secondly, our success in attracting county and state funding for this project. Nearly 9,000,000 so far," the council member said.

Staff told the council that "Blue Company is estimated 6 months maximum for design and permit approval" as a worst-case timeline. The staff presentation noted the town still had $196,000 remaining in a final state grant allocation for the water project and about $1 million in the general fund that is restricted for water-related uses.

Council members and staff emphasized that the council vote covered only the design agreement; any construction work would require separate approvals, potentially as a change order to an existing contract. Staff said construction sequencing could be expedited if the Towne Ford Loop portion were added as a change order to the current contract with park construction after the waterline design is complete.

The water tower scheduled for installation at the end of the month and two public open houses were listed by staff as near-term outreach milestones. Staff scheduled the open houses for Nov. 13 and Jan. 10 to inform residents about the new water system.

The council approved the design addendum and also welcomed an appointee to the water committee, saying the committee would return with any tax-amendment recommendations and a revised block requirement for community wells at a future meeting.