Duplin receives funding for wastewater projects

By Ena Sellers

Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners held a brief meeting on April 15, with a bulk of items approved in the consent agenda.  

Under road concerns, Commissioner Jessie Dowe spoke about an area on Cherry Road, right off NC 11, at the entrance to Greenevers that overflows when it rains. “It overflows on the side of the road. There’s a beaver dam that’s blocking the water, and it’s backing up, and then when it rains, it backs up over the roadway,” said Dowe, adding that the NC Department of Transportation is aware and will take care of it. 

Next in the regular agenda was County Manager Bryan Miller who provided several updates. 

The county has received USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) funding for a USDA Rural Development Search Grant Program for Log Cabin Road and Calico Bay Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Assessment. “We received $120,624 for Calico Bay and $106,889 for East Log Cabin Road.” 

He added that the next step in the process is to perform the Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental Assessment. The information collected will be used by the state to secure grants to install the equipment. 

“This process does not obligate the county [to move] forward to any type of additional appropriations. It does not guarantee the residents of East Log Cabin Road or Calico Bay Road of wastewater services in the future. … It does not entitle the residents of East Log Cabin Road or Calico Bay Road to wastewater services or suggest that there will be free or reduced services associated with the installation of or services provided in the future,” Miller said. “There will be additional community meetings, and at those meetings we will make it perfectly clear what the expectations of the residents should be.” 

Miller also shared with the board that the circus at the Events Center turned out a $7,000 profit.  

He also spoke about upcoming agendas in which the Board will need to make decisions on an RFQ for the detention center, and another for an asset inventory and assessment for drinking water systems. 

“The assessment for drinking water systems is about $2,184,000, and the detention center is for the commissioning, the MEPS system commissioning mechanical engineering and plumbing systems,” said Miller. 

He also provided updates on a fuel spill at the bulk storage tank. 

Assistant County Manager Carrie Shields introduced a new employee, Jasmine Savage. 

“You’ll see her a lot with me and working and learning the ins and outs of Duplin County. … She is from this area and a part of this community, gives back to this community, and we’re happy to say that she’s now an employee of Duplin County,” said Shields. 

The next meeting will be on May 6 at 224 Seminary Street in Kenansville at 6 p.m.