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Resident urges town to broker water and sewer connections as Camden Commons development nears
Summary
Hope Mills resident Irene Grimes told the Board of Commissioners that aging private wells and septic systems on University Avenue need public water and sewer as nearby Camden Commons development will extend utilities to the opposite side of the street; town staff said they will try to set up a meeting with PWC to explore options.
Irene Grimes told the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners she and her husband own homes on University Avenue and asked the board to help secure public water and sewer connections for their properties, saying their private wells and septic systems are decades old and “will eventually fail.” Grimes said properties across the street already have public utilities and a planned condominium development will require the developer to extend water and sewer to that parcel.
Town manager (Chancellor) said staff have raised the issue with PWC and will try to broker a meeting between PWC and Grimes to clarify responsibility for taps and whether a municipal or developer solution is feasible. The manager described the common pattern that developers extend service to their parcels and said staff are working to find “some kind of middle ground” so long-time residents are not left without options.
Commissioners pressed staff to explore funding and technical options. Commissioner Scuola referenced a news article noting the county had received funds to reduce PFAS in drinking water and suggested the board investigate whether similar funding could be applied to extend service to nearby neighborhoods. Commissioner Craver recalled prior local annexation efforts that included town-funded tap programs and suggested PWC might be open to phased payments or a plan to allow residents to tap in over time.
The board did not take formal action but directed staff to continue engagement with PWC and to set up a meeting with Ms. Grimes and the utility’s representatives. Mayor Bear Flowers framed the conversation as a partnership problem the town can help mediate: “We don't own the system, but we can serve as a go between to be able to address the needs of citizens in our area,” the manager said.
Next steps: staff will attempt to arrange a meeting with PWC at the town’s plan review session or in a separate meeting and will report back to the board with options for connection, responsibilities for taps, and any potential funding sources.
