$44 million needed for Warsaw’s water treatment plant

WARSAW — One of the main topics of conversation during the September meeting at the Warsaw town hall was the need for $44 million to update the water treatment plant.

“I’m aware that we do not have enough money for the update of the water treatment plant at this time. I am not aware of [whether] McDavid and Associates will be doing the work. However, they monopolize the whole county in obtaining contract work … they are always locating grants for the county, so my question is, why not Warsaw?” Angela Mainor, a Warsaw resident, asked the board, pointing out that neighboring towns have received funding for other projects.

The sentiment was echoed by other residents who spoke about the subject, questioning transparency in relaying what goes on in the town and wanting to stay updated on what is happening.

Commissioner Jack Hawes thanked Mainor for bringing up the topic of grants.

“We need $44 million, ain’t no ifs, ands, or buts about it. … Everything shouldn’t be going around us when we’re knocking on [legislators] doors, and I ask you to do the same. Knock on their doors because we need it. We need that $44 million.”

“Seven years ago, McDavid and Associates told us we got 10 years on our water and sewer. Well, ladies and gentlemen, seven years have gone by … Back then it was $20-some million. Now it’s $44 million. We’ve got to do something, and we’ve got to do it quick because if we don’t do it, our growth is stunted. We can’t do nothing. We can’t hold the capacity. We can’t push the water out, plain and simple,” said Hawes. “The time has passed [for] talking about it. We’ve got to do something about it. We’ve got to do something about it — quick.”

Mayor A.J. Connors also addressed the subject.

“I have seen Senator (Brent) Jackson. I’ve seen House Representative (Jimmy) Dixon. I’ve seen our county commissioners, and I’ve expressed to them as well as others that if Warsaw does not get a waste treatment plant increase, then West Park will come to a standstill because they need sewer at West Park,” said Connors, explaining that because Warsaw is the closest one, in order to supply West Park with sewer it needs to increase its capacity.

“That means that if they are trying to sell any property out there, that will have come to a standstill because we cannot supply them with the sewer. So we’re dealing with that. We’re not just the only ones hurt by it. The county will be hurt by that as well. The county did give a letter of endorsement that was sent to our state leaders as well as our federal state leaders, and these were sent out. I know because the town manager prepared it, sent the package out to them, making the request. We’ll be meeting with Congressman Murphy’s assistant to discuss this even more. And the reality is that Warsaw is growing, but we are having to be very careful,” said Connors.

The mayor added that people want to live in Warsaw.

“Those new homes that are being built over there on Wade are being sold as swiftly as they can get them completed, as well as the ones over here off of Victoria. I think the majority of all those have been sold at this point in time, and there are more houses that are in line to be built here off of West Bay as well as off of Plank Street,” said Connors, adding that more homes are in line to be built and improvements are taking place. “Things are happening here… The growth with jobs. Jobs are here, and they’re being filled as people come in and are willing to apply for those jobs.”

Connors asked the public to be patient as the town grows and improves.

“It may not be going as fast as you want, but it is moving forward. Cleaning up old buildings and using spaces for inward growth. There’s some property on Front Street that cannot be bought because the person who owns it has a price tag on it so high that no one can afford to buy it … And there’s some on Front Street that need to be repaired … So, yes, things are happening, and there are some things that are not happening that we would love to see happen.”

He spoke about how repairing Front Street took a while, and people complained, but to remember that if there’s going to be improvement, there will be problems while things are getting done.

“We have to be patient,” said Connors. “It takes a little time to get things done, and progress is not something that happens overnight all the time. There were complaints about Sheetz being out there,” he said, adding that the tax value that Warsaw will receive off of Sheetz is likely more than what 10 homes would bring to the area.

“And the other part of it is, thank God Sheetz did come because it brought the prices of gas down in Warsaw. You can be upset about it all you want, but it brought the prices down, and it’s staying down for right now,” said Connors.

In other business:

• The board carried a motion to move the Nov. 11 meeting to Nov. 12.
• Town Manager Lea Turner provided an update about a survey the town and Eastern Carolina Council have been working on as they gear up for the 2025 grant period.

“We are asking everybody’s participation in this survey,” said Turner, pointing out how citizens can address specific requests to be considered in the survey.

“Please help us spread the word. … We even have some downstairs in the town hall,” said Turner, adding that they need them back by Oct. 22. “I’ve also put the links on our website for these surveys. If you would, we would like your input.”

• Hawes shared that Hawes Funeral Home will host a community appreciation day at the Warsaw Recreation Center from 12 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 5. The public is invited to attend and enjoy free food and a day of fellowship.
• Turner also provided updates about the trunk-or-treat event planned for Oct. 31, 6-7.30 p.m. on Front Street.