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Parksley: sewage capacity constraints 'hamstring' new hookups; council asks engineer, removes 'temporary' wording
Summary
Council members said sewage capacity limits prevent new business hookups and urged coordination with VDH; the council voted to remove the word "temporary" from the pump-and-haul ordinance and directed staff to pursue engineering contact with VDH.
Issues with the town sewage system dominated a portion of Parksley's Nov. 11 meeting as council members warned limited capacity prevents new hookups and may deter businesses.
"We are hamstrung until we get that straightened out; we cannot hook anyone else up," Councilman Frank Russell said, describing stalled business prospects while the town resolves its sewage capacity and permitting. Council members reported that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked Parksley to remove the word "temporary" from the town's pump-and-haul ordinance; the council approved that amendment later in the meeting.
Clerk Letitia Greer said the council had previously voted on a pump-and-haul ordinance and that VDH asked to remove "temporary." Public Works Director Danny Siegert and Council members discussed the need for the town's engineer to contact VDH and for the council to formally designate an engineer to complete coordination; Siegert said he would call VDH and try to arrange the meeting. Councilwoman Julie Nash said she had been told by VDH staff they were "at their last straw" with the town and urged quicker follow-up.
Council said resolving sewage capacity should be "job one" so the town can permit businesses and homeowners to connect; staff were given direction to pursue engineer contact with VDH and to file the ordinance amendment as voted.
The ordinance amendment vote (removing "temporary") was recorded as unanimous. Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes include Public Works Director Siegert contacting VDH and the council arranging engineering representation to coordinate required technical confirmations.
