THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 22, 1995 TAG: 9508220400
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
A North Carolina engineering firm has been chosen to do the preliminary engineering work for three Dare County projects, including the possible sale of water to Currituck County.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners, by a 5-0 vote, approved the selection Monday of Southern Pines-based Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates.
The engineers will perform studies concerning the county's capacity and ability to sell water to its northern neighbor. Also, Hobbs, Upchurch will provide engineering services for the extension of service to 600 potential water customers in Duck, as well as environmental impact work on Hatteras Island.
Commissioners Clarence Skinner, Geneva Perry, Doug Langford and Joseph ``Mac'' Midgett supported the action, while Commissioner Shirley Hassell abstained. Chairman R.V. ``Bobby'' Owens was out of town.
Hassell cited concern over the inclusion of the Currituck project as the reason for her decision.
Skinner said that each project would be billed separately, and that Currituck County would pay any costs related to that study.
``Any expense that is incurred must be borne by Currituck County,'' Skinner said. ``Dare County should not pay one cent to determine if we have the capacity to sell water.''
In a related matter, the general manager of the Cape Hatteras Water Authority expressed support for the Currituck sale. Jim Coleman said the additional revenues generated by the sale of water to the Currituck Club, Spindrift and Pine Island would enhance Dare County's ability to provide water to its citizens.
Supporters of the plan say that it will generate $2.5 million to $3 million in revenues.
But for the second time in as many meetings, Manteo resident Wendy Mitchell spoke against the proposed sale. She urged commissioners to seek public input before taking action in the matter.
In other business:
The commission unanimously approved the expenditure of its part of $43,000 for additional membranes for the county's reverse osmosis plant. The county will share expense for the membranes with the towns of Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.
Commissioners marked the 75th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The Dare County chapter of the League of Women Voters presented a certificate to the family of Mary Meekins Basnight. She was the first woman in Dare County to register to vote after ratification of the amendment in 1920. by CNB