ROSEBORO — Despite commissioner’s concerns over the town’s water capacity, the board agreed for town officials to pursue a study on the costs and feasibility of providing water to the town of Salemburg.
Salemburg mayor Joe Warren approached Roseboro mayor Alice Butler some time ago about purchasing water from the western town. Butler presented the idea to the Roseboro board Tuesday night seeking the approval of conducting a feasibility study before a definite answer could be determined.
If approved, a water line would be installed to pump water from Roseboro to Salemburg. To add this water line, commissioners expressed concerns about the water capacity to the residents in Roseboro. The county already purchases water from the town for supply to residents living in the Autryville area.
“I don’t see where it hurts to look into doing this,” commissioner Ray Clark Fisher said.
Conducting the feasibility study does not commit Roseboro to anything other than determining the cost of adding the line and providing Salemburg with water.
Commissioner Cary Holland reminded the board that if the town were to provide water to its neighboring municipality, Roseboro’s pump capacity would have to increase. Salemburg is home to three larger water customers — Lakewood High School, the North Carolina Justice Academy and Tarheel ChalleNGe.
“We need to look and determine if Roseboro has enough water,” Holland added.
Discussions about the amount to be charged for the water were not discussed Tuesday night, but the town charges the county a base amount of $300 a month for the first 100,000 gallons of water used and an overage amount of $2.35 per gallon over the base figure.
“We need to pull in resources and find out if this is even possible,” Fisher added.
Late fee delayed
Commissioners approved extending the grace period for water payments made late due to Hurricane Matthew.
According to Roseboro town clerk Tony Blalock, the town typically issues a 10 percent penalty on payments made after the 15th of each month. If payments are made after the 21st of the month, a 35 percent penalty is assessed.
Following Hurricane Matthew, the town hall was without power for two days. Even though the office was open, payments could only be made in cash and receipts handwritten. Blalock asked commissioners to waive the late fee of 10 percent until Oct. 25 and the 35 percent late fee until after the 27th.
“We don’t want to burden somebody who has already been through a lot with the hurricane,” Fisher said.
Some of the town’s water customers included the late fee when their payment was made, but Blalock said they would have a credit towards their account.