Residents, developer ask Montgomery County PSA to seek easement for Merrimack Road sewer extension

John Veil, an engineer with Foresight Design, told the Montgomery County Public Service Authority at its December meeting that his client seeks a county-requested easement to extend public sewer up Merrimack Road to serve five proposed lots and other nearby homes that currently rely on aging septic systems.

Veil said the proposed line would extend from an existing Blacksburg VPI services sanitation authority sewer line and that the extension crosses land developed as Strubel's Ridge and controlled by CHP, which he identified as the managing agent for the New River Home Trust. He said the alignment lies in floodplain and open space with limited development value and that the developer would pay for engineering and construction and then dedicate the line to the PSA as a public sewer.

“I'm an engineer with Foresight Design. I'm here, representing Price Real Estate and Triple J,” Veil said, explaining that the developer has prepared survey and design work and sought an easement from CHP.

Property owner William Price, who said he lives at 1405 Merrimack Road, told the board he has negotiated with the landholder for about four years, offered $5,000 and later $10,000 for the easement, and is willing to pay for an appraisal and to fund construction. “We're even gonna pay to extend the sewer line, both engineering and the sewer line,” Price said, asking that the county commission a fair-value appraisal and have a county representative engage directly with the owner/agent.

Price told the board he believes roughly 16 parcels have expressed interest in connecting to public sewer and argued the PSA could realize connection revenue once the line is dedicated and customers connect.

Nathan, a lifelong Montgomery County resident who spoke in public comment, urged the board to act because he and his wife cannot afford a new septic system to build a house: “For us to move forward with this house, we need this sewer lot,” he said, adding that a septic installation can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Board members asked whether CHP is the proper party to grant an easement because the parcel may be part of the New River Home Trust; Veil said CHP had acted as the granting party in prior discussions but acknowledged the board may need to confirm ownership and rights. Members also asked whether the land has been appraised; Veil said it has not and that Price offered to have it appraised and to pay the appraised value.

The PSA did not take formal action on the easement request that night. Members discussed whether legal matters might warrant a closed session and agreed to place the topic on the January meeting agenda for further consideration. The chair said he would add a closed-session item to discuss legal issues related to the request.

At the start of the meeting the board approved the consent agenda and minutes; Secretary Biggs moved the motion, a member seconded it, and the board approved the item by voice vote.

Staff also delivered a financial report showing November operating cash of $3,306,100; capital improvement funds of $714,078; customer deposits of $104,450; and total cash of $4,124,628. Staff reported the Reiner waterline project is complete, contracts have been signed for the Camp Christy water tank and replacement of a 2-inch line on Oldwell Road, and a residential meter change-out project is nearly finished.

Next steps on the Merrimack Road request are internal: board members indicated they want staff to confirm property ownership and appraisal options and to place legal discussion on the January agenda; no easement, appraisal, or legal directive was adopted at the meeting.