Goldsboro approves cost‑share to loop Hawthorne Trail water main; developer to reimburse 60%

Goldsboro’s City Council voted unanimously to approve a cost‑share agreement and resolution to fund a 1,000‑foot water‑main looping project tied to the Hawthorne Trail development.

Jonathan from the public utilities team described the plan as a loop that will connect two dead‑end 12‑inch lines near Collar Bess Road and Glendes Point Drive to improve water pressure and fire‑flow capacity. "This agreement is to install 1000 feet of water main along Collar Bess Road," Jonathan said, and staff estimated the project cost at $170,277.64 with a 60/40 developer/city split.

The council was told public utilities staff plan to perform the construction in‑house to reduce cost and traffic impacts by working behind the ditch. Jonathan said work is anticipated to start April 13 and the anticipated end date was noted as "the fourth," but he emphasized both dates are contingent on permits from the state public water supply office and any required habitat mitigation related to wetlands and a listed mussel species.

Council members asked whether the reimbursement obligation carries to a future developer if the current developer does not complete the project; staff and the city attorney said the agreement as written does not automatically bind future parties, and the mayor asked city attorneys to review whether the obligation could be tied to a future special‑use permit if appropriate.

Council approved a resolution authorizing execution of the contract and funding; the motion passed unanimously.

Staff noted the utility fund had budgeted a larger contractor amount earlier in the year but public utilities stepped up to complete the work internally, lowering the immediate cost to the city.