West Jefferson reviews $1.6 million water interconnect and approves pump‑station, stormwater contracts

The West Jefferson Board of Aldermen met Jan. 5 and heard a final report on a proposed water interconnect with the neighboring Town of Jefferson and approved several construction contracts and repairs tied to town infrastructure and equipment.

Doug Chapman presented the interconnect final report, saying the estimated project cost is $1.6 million and that the towns plan to pursue grant funding to cover construction. Chapman told the board the two systems have complementary capacities: West Jefferson serves about 700 water customers, uses roughly 200,000 gallons and has capacity near 500,000 gallons per day across about 27 miles of water mains; Jefferson serves about 850 customers, uses just under 200,000 gallons and has capacity near 889,000 gallons per day with about 17 miles of mains. Chapman said water from West Jefferson to Jefferson would be gravity fed while the reverse flow would require pumping, and that the towns would seek an interlocal agreement to split maintenance costs once the connection is built.

The board then adopted a resolution required to pursue an Industrial Development Fund utility-account grant intended to support the project and other economic-development work; the resolution passed unanimously (4-0).

On contract awards, the board approved the low bid of $458,833 from Carolina Grading and Utility for the Greenfield pump-station project and awarded a separate stormwater mitigation contract for Golden Leaf park to PADCO Excavating at $469,832. Both awards were approved 4-0.

Separately, staff reported the town’s street-sweeper refurbish will cost $46,935—well above the $16,000 originally budgeted—but is expected to add three to five years of service. The board approved the repair, 4-0.

Town Manager Brantley Price updated the board on other projects and finances, reporting the town has received $1,240,000 from FEMA with all but two projects obligated and awaiting permits, that the Ridge Avenue sewer-line installation is scheduled to finish next week pending weather, and that a new ultraviolet disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant is installed or will be operational within days. Price said the town received six proposals for park upgrades (to be reviewed at the February meeting), that property-tax collections stand at about 88% with $176,000 remaining uncollected, and that sales tax receipts for October were up 5% compared with the prior year (year-to-date +5.7%). Price also said 504 hikers used Mount Paddy in December and that a budget amendment will be needed to cover extraordinary street maintenance and equipment costs.

Mayor Rusty Barr and board members thanked staff for their reports. No public comments were recorded. The board went into a closed session later in the meeting and returned before adjourning.

The board’s next steps on the interconnect include applying for grant funding, negotiating an interlocal maintenance agreement with Jefferson if grant funds are secured, and selecting a contractor for the park upgrades at the February meeting.