Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Dominion Energy easement at Somerville Park to serve new middle school; staff says undergrounding would exceed $300,000
Summary
The council granted an easement on city property including Somerville Park to Dominion Energy to replace facilities serving North Augusta Middle School (ordinance 2026-12, first reading). Staff said undergrounding would cost over $300,000 and the proposed overhead work will require removal/movement of two trees identified by the city arborist.
The North Augusta City Council on June 15 approved on first reading ordinance 2026-12 granting an easement to Dominion Energy South Carolina to replace utility facilities on city property including Somerville Park to service the new North Augusta Middle School. The motion was made and seconded; the council voted unanimously.
City staff (Miss Clifford) said the school district had asked Dominion Energy to evaluate undergrounding the lines but that "cost factors for undergrounding were going to be over $300,000," a figure she described as making undergrounding fiscally unviable from the district's perspective absent outside contributions. Staff said the city's position was to not contribute that amount without a formal funding decision from the district.
Miss Clifford also said the overhead work being proposed would require the removal and movement of trees at Somerville Park. She referenced advice from the city arborist, Roy Kibler, and identified two specific trees that would be affected by the utility work.
Representatives from the school board's construction group and Dominion Energy were present to answer technical questions, though no members of the public commented on the item at the meeting. The ordinance passed on first reading; further procedural steps and any required easement documentation will follow normal administrative practice.
