Letcher County Water and Sewer District board members on Wednesday heard status reports from their engineering consultants on multiple water and sewer projects and approved routine motions to accept minutes, pay requests and monthly bills.

Bell Engineering reported that work on the Federal Bureau of Prisons waterline—under construction since April—has advanced significantly: contractors have placed 16,515 feet of 8-inch ductile pipe, 3,306 feet of 10-inch poly and 6,891 feet of 4-inch ductile. A Bell representative said roughly 74.6% of contract time has elapsed and about 74% of the work is complete, calling the job “on schedule.” The board also heard that the contractor submitted pay request number 9 for $45,000 at the construction-progress meeting.

Bell told the board that a CSX railroad inspection for an Elwood Road crossing was postponed twice and currently awaits an inspector, and that funds to pay the CSX agreement fee at Roxanna are expected to arrive soon so the contractor can schedule the crossing work. Bell reported completed deed research and a field survey for property tied to four pits and said an easement exhibit is being prepared for the Fishers’ attorney.

On other capital projects, Bell said Millstone Phase 2 design is complete and noted KYTC District 12 and Division of Water approvals are in hand. That project includes ARC-administered funds routed through USDA Rural Development and requires a detailed checklist before advertising for bids. Red Star (Turkey Creek) Phase 3 design is complete but an updated cost estimate shows substantial inflation-driven increases; Bell recommended bidding what funds currently allow while seeking additional financing. For Loggie Hollow, Bell presented a design and a $150,000–$170,000 cost estimate for a new station that exceeds the budget; the work will be split into two contracts and about 15 zone meters will be purchased and installed under that contract.

GRW, the other engineering firm on the agenda, said the Flood Recovery meter replacement project funded through Rural Development has been split into two procurements: a purchase bid for the meters and a separate installation bid. GRW said splitting the work should reduce sales-tax pass-through costs and increase opportunities for local contractors. GRW noted the meter purchases and installation bids were extended to allow local plan holders more time; the purchase bid opens first, with installation to follow.

GRW also described outreach to Mount Comp Healthcare and funding agencies. Staff said they contacted the Appalachian Regional Commission to try to elevate the project on ARC’s list and spoke with CDBG/EDA economic development staff, who expressed interest but said they typically will not fund only a waterline and prefer a broader package that includes facility work. GRW said a meeting with the fiscal court, Mount Comp, the district and consultants is planned to discuss potential CDBG involvement. GRW noted a $4,000,000 CDBG allocation from the governor last year that must flow through the fiscal court rather than directly to the district.

On the long-planned water treatment plant, GRW said field visits identified five potential site footprints and one raw-water intake site; maps and aerials were provided to Judge Adams and the board was asked to review them and set a follow-up meeting to select preferred sites. GRW cautioned that more distant sites could raise project costs and said they will contact Kentucky River property owners if the nearer options prove unsuitable.

GRW reminded the board that the RD bid opening for the RD-funded job is scheduled at the end of the month, and emphasized that RD reimbursements are typically draw-as-you-go. The firm raised concern about a possible federal shutdown in January and asked the board to consider whether to hold a special-call meeting to approve bids if timing becomes tight.

During the business portion of the meeting the board approved several routine items. A motion to accept the November 2025 meeting minutes passed by voice vote. The board approved a construction pay request that included Bell Engineering pay items and heard the list of construction and engineering pay items for the month. The district agreed to reopen a bank account for the Loggie Hollow project after the prior account was closed for inactivity and approved payment of the district’s monthly bills.

In public comment, Chris Wells, a technical assistance provider working with the district, introduced Morgan Hershey as a technical assistance contact who will take on some project reporting duties. Wells praised local recovery efforts after the 2022 flood and told the board national visitors who recorded community recovery work “could not say enough good things” about local hospitality and resilience, saying “there is no quit” in the community. Wells said edited video footage will be shared with the district when it is ready.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote. The board did not take any new policy actions or adopt ordinances during this session.