Byrdstown Hears From Engineer Firm On Funding Water And Sewer Rehab

Byrdstown could seek financial assistance from Pickett County to improve the town’s water and sewer plants.

James C. Hailey and Company Engineer Nathaniel Greene created the request through a letter. CMFO Zeda Hillis read the message to the Board of Aldermen Monday.

“There’s going to be some more American Recovery Act money coming to the county,” Hillis said. “State’s sending another round of the federal one-time money, and you can use it for infrastructure projects. Water and sewer things like that, and since you guys supply the water, he’s proposed this letter to send.”

Mayor Sam Gibson said the request sounds good, but he would like to discuss the possibility with county leaders before signing. Gibson said if the county was favorable, some potential projects could start moving.

“If we can get that raw water line converted into a sewer line coming from the lake, cause a few years back we had the thoughts of getting some condos on that overlook,” Gibson said. “That is more real today than it ever was.”

Hillis said the money would go towards $3.3 million of improvements to meet TDEC standards. Hillis said Byrdstown would be responsible for any financial matches involved.

“Just tweak it and let us know what you would like to include,” Hillis said. “We can always change it. We just wanted to make sure you get your name in the hat for it.”

Hillis said the town does have time to make the request more inviting with applications coming in January. Gibson said connecting sewer to the Industrial Park could also be a possibility.