Few attend public hearing on bypass water line extension

Posted January 28, 2015 at 3:34 pm

The City of Albany hosted a public hearing last Thursday morning, January 22 at city hall to take public comments on the city’s proposal to extend a water line along a large portion of the new Albany/127 Bypass. The hearing was conducted by David Bowles of Monarch Engineers, as well as Lee Mudd, a representative of the same firm.

In many cases where similar public hearings are held, no one from the public attends. However, although small in number, three local residents, including a Clinton County Fiscal Court magistrate was in attendance at the hearing, with two of them making public comments on the issue.

Bowles opened the hearing by reporting that an environmental assessment on the project had been completed and gave a synopsis of the project, noting the proposal is for a 12-inch transmission water main to be placed from around Crudewell and the Perry Hay farm on the north side of the bypass, then to tie onto an existing line near the Clinton County Hospital, and extend southward to the Hwy. 738 intersection.

The total cost of the project, according to Bowles, is estimated at $1,929,000 and he gave a breakdown of funding sources now being applied for that would fund the project, with those coming from various state and federal grants, coupled with low-interest loans. The city is also in the process of applying for those funds.

One resident to speak, Tony Tompkins, questioned whether or not there would be a possibility of extending the line a little past the 738 intersection, in what he estimated would be about 2,000 feet down from the intersection. He noted he was wanting to start some type of business at that location and would need water.

Bowles agreed to look at the area Tompkins had talked about and recommended he attend the next meeting of Albany City Council in February to make his request, but indicated extending the line by that amount was possible.

Third district fiscal court magistrate Terry Buster also briefly commented at the hearing, saying he thought the project would be very beneficial to the county.

There was also some brief discussion of possible future sewer availability to areas along the bypass as well.

Another resident at the hearing was Gilbert Beaty, but he did not make any specific comments pertaining to the project.

The city has been working on laying the groundwork for the water extension project, which is expected to take several months to complete pending the wait on funding sources and actual construction for sometime now.

City leaders feel that water availability along the bypass route would greatly help attract new business and industry to the local area.

The city council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 3 at 5 p.m. at city hall and is open to the general public.