Commissioners, developers and county staff debate soil reuse for Millington wastewater plant and senior-housing site

Kent County commissioners heard an extended discussion March 11 about coordinating soil excavation for the planned Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant with a nearby senior-housing development that needs fill material.

County consultants and staff said the proposed wastewater site will generate substantial excavated material while Bramble, the senior-housing developer, needs soil to continue construction. Russ Richardson (landowner) and Frank Hodges (developer representative) have exchanged proposals but have not agreed on cost-sharing for grading, access-road construction and hauling. Staff reported a roughly $36,000 delta between the parties' proposed shares for the access-road and excavation work.

County water/wastewater consultant Mike Moulds and Public Works staff described three constraints: (1) timing — Bramble needs material soon or construction may pause; (2) permitting and erosion-control requirements needed before moving soil; and (3) financial exposure for the county if it pays costs now for work on land the county does not yet own. Commissioners noted the county has a land-acquisition allocation (~$350,000) set aside for property purchase, but said some purchase terms and final property price remain unresolved.

No formal vote or commitment to fund hauling or grading was taken. Commissioners asked staff to continue negotiations and suggested scheduling a focused call with Richardson, Bramble and county staff to try to reach agreement quickly. Staff cautioned that contracts, insurance and permitting take time and that the short window provided by the developer could make timely coordination difficult.

Ending: County staff will continue mediation efforts and report back; no funding or contract was approved at the March 11 meeting.