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Milton picks SEH for grinder-pump design and authorizes USDA emergency-funding application for Racetrack Road
Summary
Town officials selected engineering firm Stuart, Elliott and Hendrickson to design a grinder-pump wastewater project and authorized the mayor to submit a USDA emergency-funding application to relocate a Racetrack Road water line; DEQ oversight and grant deadlines were cited.
Milton's Town Council on Sept. 9 took two infrastructure steps: it voted to move forward with a draft contract with engineering firm Stuart, Elliott and Hendrickson (SEH) to design a grinder-pump waste-water project and adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to submit a USDA emergency-funding application to relocate a failing Racetrack Road water line.
Mayor Angela Upchurch said SEH was selected after scoring and interviews and that the firm's small-town experience and in-house design capability matched the state's design/bid/build grant requirement. "We have the draft contract to sign with them so they can get started and committed to come out next week," Mayor Upchurch said during the meeting.
The council voted to adopt the resolution to authorize the USDA application; the mayor said USDA had given the town permission to proceed, which could restore water service to two customers and assist future merger planning. The council also discussed DEQ oversight: Mayor Upchurch said DEQ had requested additional work from the previous consultant (identified in the transcript as Whither Ravenel) and will monitor that engineering firms meet technical requirements.
Commissioners debated timing and procurement. Commissioner Danny Cash suggested stretching installation over two to three years to preserve warranties and manage costs; Commissioner Bob Palmer agreed. The mayor and commissioners also discussed equipment decisions, noting that grinder pumps "are getting more and more expensive" and that the state requires the town to hold three pumps on hand. Mayor Upchurch said the town may need higher-end models to compensate for businesses that are not always open and for short-term rentals.
Both measures were approved by unanimous vote; council members recorded that "all were in favor." The SEH contract remains in draft form and the town indicated it intends to sign the contract and allow SEH to begin design work; the USDA application deadline for an upcoming grant round was cited as October 2025, with another possible round in the spring.
Other brief items noted during new business included a Planning Board-approved fence at the stoplight (estimate pending), edits to a new-business application to remove Social Security numbers, and a likely hold on a T‑Mobile antenna addition to the CenturyLink tower. The council adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
