County Seeks Meeting With Robbins on 'Tweaked' Water Proposal

The shut-down Robbins water treatment plant

As of Saturday, January 21, 2012

Of seven potential water sources, Moore County will focus attention first on a resource at home — the town of Robbins.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners reached a consensus Thursday to concentrate on a partnership with Robbins.

The board instructed the public works director to “tweak” the existing figures on the Robbins water potential and instructed the county manager to arrange a joint meeting with the Robbins town board.

“The one thing we can’t do is do nothing,” Board Chairman Larry Caddell said in an overall assessment of the county’s water situation.

The decision to examine the Robbins water alternative does not mean that the county is dropping consideration of other options. Drilling for more wells remains among the viable options, along with a study of purchase contracts, formation of consortiums or partnerships with systems available in Harnett County, Sanford, Laurinburg, Asheboro and the privately owned WestPoint-Stevens facility near Wagram in Scotland County.

“This is a Moore County system, and Robbins is in Moore County,” Commis-sioner Nick Picerno said, pointing out that investment in a Robbins system would be keeping the money in Moore County.

The discussion was held during the Thursday afternoon session of the commissioners’ annual business retreat, held at the Senior Enrichment Center. It continued through Friday morning.

In his presentation on water sources, Public Works Director Randy Gould told the board that the county’s several systems have an average daily demand of almost 3 million gallons. The maximum daily demand — on, for example, an exceptionally hot day in summer — climbs to 4.8 million gallons.

These figures serve 12,205 customers (connections) among a population of 24,990 in Pinehurst and Vass and several unincorporated communities.

The village of Pinehurst is the largest customer base, with 7,669 water connections, followed by Seven Lakes, with 2,540 connections. These systems are interconnected with the East Moore Water District, the town of Vass, Hyland Hills/Niagara and an area near Robbins. Not interconnected but still part of the county water system are High Falls, The Carolina development and the Addor community south of Pinebluff.

Gould projected population growth along with increases in water demand for periods up to the years 2020 and 2040. He estimated population growth in excess of 33,000 by 2020, with average daily demand at 3.3 million gallons and maximum daily demand at 5.8 million gallons.

He described a day when the maximum demand is reached as “the worst day in the year.”

Within 30 years, the maximum demand may climb as high as 7.9 million gallons a day, an addition of 3.1 million gallons above the existing maximum demand.

This means that the county must expand water sources to serve the expected growth within the next 20 to 50 years.

Gould reviewed the existing situation and presented prospective alliances with other water systems, along with estimated costs.

The commissioners agreed that the present policy of drilling at least one new well every two years should remain in place, and Commissioner Tim Lea pointed out that wells represent the least expensive of options.

“I don’t want to quit using wells, but we can’t rely on them alone,” Caddell said.

Commissioner Jimmy Melton agreed with the long-term goal of adding wells but said the county needs to upgrade its system with viable alternatives. He noted that the county faces “a wide range of choices.”

District Option Dropped

Commissioner Craig Kennedy said that it may not be possible to form the North West Moore Water District. Even so, he said, that area would provide a line to Seven Lakes, now served by wells, as is Pinehurst. Kennedy lives in the Westmoore community.

North West Moore is a water district under consideration since 2006, when voters in those townships approved a $16 million bond issue to pay for a water system.

The concept is similar to the successful district serving thousands of customers in East Moore. However, the sparse distribution of population in North West Moore has interfered with development of that water district.

The county recently received authorization from the Local Government Commission to extend the bond issue through 2014. Such authority would enable the county to apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Division of Rural Development.

Under exploration has been the option of extending water lines from a North West Moore district from Robbins to Seven Lakes. Under such an arrangement, the county would buy water from the district to serve Seven Lakes. But first, arrangements must be worked out with Robbins municipal leaders, something that has been discussed but not consummated.

Kennedy said enhancement of the Robbins system would be a plus for that entire area of the county. He said the availability of more water would be attractive to new business as well as residents.

He suggested that the Robbins option be “tweaked” for further discussion with Robbins leaders.

Picerno said he would like the county to remove North West Moore, for the time being, from this study and to concentrate its efforts on Robbins. He proposed that the county seek a joint meeting with the Robbins board and called for it to be an open meeting with the public invited. (At a previous meeting some board members expressed preference for negotiating with Robbins in a closed session, a proposal that met with opposition.)

The board reached a consensus to concentrate first on the Robbins system. Gould said it would take about two weeks to “tweak” the Robbins option in preparation for a meeting with the Robbins board, and the board asked County Manager Cary McSwain to make arrangements for a meeting with Robbins.

Cost Estimates

Gould’s report included projected costs for the Robbins water system upgrade for a 10-year program and a 30-year span. The 10-year projection, estimated at $20 million, would include North West Moore, costing $6.6 million, along with $7.6 million for a new water plant and pump plus the cost of raw water intake, pump upgrades, and a 20-inch line from the plant to the tank in Robbins. The water source would be Bear Creek.

The cost climbs to an estimated $17.4 million for the 30-year projection, which includes $7.1 million for a new plant and pump upgrade. This projection includes $2.6 million for a 16-inch raw water main and $3.4 million for a 16-inch line along Mount Carmel Road.

Added to the total would be such things as a tank on N.C. 73, raw water intake and pump station, water lines along N.C. 73 and N.C. 211 to Seven Lakes.

The requested “tweaking” would include such things as removal of the North West Moore district and some changes in the routing of water lines.

The board also discussed in detail the other options, including an offer from Harnett County for Moore County to buy a percentage of a major expansion of the Harnett system. The county already buys water from Harnett County for the East Moore district and for an extension of the system serving Pinehurst. Moore County also buys water from Southern Pines and Aberdeen.

The discussion included such issues as interbasin transfers and policy concerning allocation of resources in time of drought.

The commissioners also heard reports on Thursday from the Moore County school system, Sandhills Community College, the county’s information technology staff, Partners in Progress, and the public safety sector on the change in emergency communications.

The Thursday morning session featured presentations by Finance Director Carrie Neal, Tax Admin-istrator Wayne Vest, and Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Caleb Miles.

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SH59 1 year, 4 months ago

PM, that's my biggest problem about getting water lines in the West Moore area. Most of us living out in the country on our own wells can irrigate our gardens and fields without worrying about paying for it. I understand that if we got hooked up to water then our wells have to be condemned and unusable. That just doesn't make sense if I want to water my fruit trees and garden from a perfectly good well and not have to pay for it. I would be fine if just my house was hooked up but let me use my well for outdoor irrigation.

kst101 1 year, 4 months ago

@SH59- The Health Department can only shut down a well if it is contaminated and it can still be used for garden irrigation depending what its contaminated with. Your grass can always be irrigated unless you have something like petroleum leaking into it from a fuel tank.

MooreNorth 1 year, 4 months ago

If Robbins gets the source and price correct, I'll hook up. In fact, I, and one of my neighbors, have had an application in since Hayfield was hired. Still waiting on a response from George. Probably not gonna get one, huh?

tarheelborn 1 year, 4 months ago

I'll bet there was nothing even said, about a "J/V Offer" made a Year Ago with the Town of Robbins. Strange and Secret happenings have been going on with Moore County and Robbins, but also with Scotland County too.

As often stated, It shall ALL come out in the wash, but there sure will be some Dirty Water!

Let's see if I can predict the outcome of all this. County Manager Cary McSwain will come away with a deal to take the Town of Robbins to the Cleaners, like the Chicken Plant Closing, (Poor Judgment on elected officials part back then too), but maybe not, WHO Gained from that deal? Moore County will TAKE Advantage of the Robbins Town Board again this time, because there are certain Elected Officials which will GAIN, at the expense of the poor citizens of Robbins ALL OVER AGAIN! If Moore County don't take Robbins to the cleaners, they have (Cary McSwain) and his COZY relationship with Laurinburg and Scotland County and the (Self Proclaimed Water Czar) and his (Cozy) relationship with the same and decide to enter into a relationship with "Da Burg" and Scotland County. You see, THEY BOTH have relationships down south too.... Does anyone remember where our county manager Cary McSwain come from? Well, let's see if a little research don't reveal some STRONG Contacts with certain Power Playing Officials "Down South" of us in Scotland County and South Carolina. As The People of MOORE County need to Examine where McSwain went to School. Then research if the "Engineering Study" which was most recently done for "Da Burg and Scotland County" was done. Then Connect the Dots and Follow the Money Trail, which Moore County will Ultimately pay for AND have been paying for ever since McSwain was hired, and even WHO was on the board when he was hired. This goes much deeper than our voting citizens realize! On another note. One might ask Where did the lady come from which was recently HIRED to Manage Moore County's MONEY? I'd be willing to bet, (if I were a betting person) she ALSO came from South Carolina TOO! Moore County better WAKE UP before it's too late, and get rid of the very ones which control and direct our (FUTURE) DECADES if not the next CENTURY.

All we need to do is, some BASIC RESEARCH on the select few running things for Moore County and then connect them with the ones that want to HOOK into Moore County MONEY, because they have fallen on Hard Times. Everyone always wants to Capitalize off Pinehurst and Moore County! I say H*%@, NO!

The Joint Venture, was NOT with Moore County, but with a Well Established Group with Great Resources, which would certainly pull Robbins out of their financial ruins.

More...

tarheelborn 1 year, 4 months ago

In a previous post just days ago, please read Mr. Picerno's, question and statement to me, ""Tarheelborn. What are you talking about down south. I know of no effort to give control of our water to an outside agency.""

@ Mr. Pirceno. Just seeking clarity from Moore County's Past and Current statements. Please read the following copied from the Moore County website. Were you and Mr. Caddell not on the board during these discussions at this particular time, as Congressman Boles becoming also involved having organized said meeting?

Please now read directly from the Moore County Website...

""Multi-county regional water meeting.

Carthage, NC., On Monday, January 25th, 2010, an informational meeting took place in the City of Laurinburg, to discuss the topic of a multi-county regional water system. The meeting was organized by Representative Jamie Boles and was attended by representatives of Scotland, Hoke, Robeson, and Moore County along with the City of Laurinburg, and Lumber River COG.

During the meeting discussions included the current regional water plan and the exploration of opportunities for redundancy and connectivity. Further details will be researched in order to develop a possible Regional Master Planning effort among the interested counties.

For additional information contact Cary McSwain, Moore County Manager at 910 947-6363.""

If you would be so kind, please (again) Explain Your, and Moore County's position (if you know). However, realizing You are only one voice on the board, it would be nice to hear from the other commissioners and their positions. Maybe Moore County's self proclaimed water Czar Mr. Caddell, would care to divulge, (his) position publicly in this comment session, too. That would be most helpful to ALL us Moore County Voting Citizens, so we can become educated as how best to vote in the next elections.

"We The People", think is is past time for our elected county commissioners to speak up, quit playing around with "evading, conflicting misleading, and manipulative" statements (especially from Mr. McSwain) and tell Scotland County and The City of Laurinburg, we have no interest in their water sources and move forward with the other many options afforded us, get a grip on reality and stay the heck out of Scotland County! They have always been a Democratically controlled county and we have always been a very conservative Republican county... They may say, we are your friends, but face the facts, the Two parties do not mix... Regardless of ones interpretations of my postings, I do respect you All. Thank you Mr. Picerno and Mr. Caddell....

Bflat 1 year, 4 months ago

Really? More water meters and "software" for those meter readings. The more meters, the happier are certain commissioners. Watch out Robbins and don't give away your water system.

Npicerno 1 year, 4 months ago

Tarheelborn. To clarify the down south, I was at the meeting where the Wagram plant was the focus. While the Wagram source is still being looked at, I can assure you that it would not be at the relinquishing of our water source here in Moore. At best, Wagram option would be best served in the consortium I spoke of, which consists of Moore county municipalities. We meet together as a water summit and discuss how we can all benefit our citizens in Moore with long term water resources. Give me a call, love to chat. 673-5389

Npicerno 1 year, 4 months ago

Bflat. I don't want Robbins to give their water system to us. I do hope a partnership that benefits both the citizens of Robbins and the citizens of Moore can be worked out. Finally, I could care less about more water meters or software, I assume you were referencing me?

tarheelborn 1 year, 4 months ago

Moore County Citizens... AWAKEN!

Please Read Commissioner Pirceno's statement from above!

""I can assure you that it would not be at the relinquishing of our water source here in Moore. At best, Wagram option would be best served in the consortium I spoke of, which consists of Moore county municipalities."" Well of course, we will Never give up our Water. SAME AS SCOTLAND COUNTY! Mr. Commissioner, YOU Know, but the majority of Moore County do Not Know, so to set the record straight, Moore County Water Summit Nor ANY Governmental Body, meaning, (City, Town, County, Municipality) etc, etc can do nothing about purchasing WestPoint/J.P.Stevens water and sewer plants in Wagram, UNLESS The Scotland County Government gives Approval... (WE ALL KNOW THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN)..Regardless of what you or anyone else or any other governmental body wants to do, which includes continue wasting tax payer money on STUDIES which GO NOWHERE.... As I understand it our new public works director Mr. Randy (includes Wagram) in his presentation. Now, would you care to explain that to the citizens. Again, I can assure you and All the World, Not a Drop of water will be seen from Scotland County unless SCOTLAND COUNTY CONTROLS the TAP!

Listen, the people of Moore County and especially Carthage are already fed up with decisions about buying property right in the middle of town against nearly all the citizens opposition, to build a Federal Size Prison. This will no doubt reflect in our next election. However, the ones currently on the board Might be able to save face and pull off another victory, but ONLY if We MOORE COUNTY tell Scotland County to Keep their Water and their Control to themselves! ! !

Sorry if I can't reply to every comment, but I find my time more valuable, serving my constituents .

We are all still waiting to hear from Mr. Caddell in this thread.

Good Luck, Sir.

Bflat 1 year, 4 months ago

The Caddell is too busy at his new house outside Carthage, getting buildings named for him and the software business he and Mr P claim that employees own, ...while he and Mr P still maintain offices there. Meanwhile the huge Federal Sized JAIL is going up in middle of the Town Caddell claims to love so much.

"Going to expand the jail a little" was certainly the straw that has broken the camel's back. If you have not seen the huge monster of JAIL expansion, take a ride up McNeill St. The 4 story JAIL is the building to right of the 3 story Public safety/sherrif Dept. We really don't need something that huge at this time and at the expense when there are other pressing needs like schools and education.

Next, an application to STEP has been made by others to try to save the Town which is suffering from businesses closing up and empty storefronts.

Robbins should be really careful when dealing with certain Commissioners. You're next!

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 4 months ago

It is important to look at regionalization when addressing water sources and needs, both within the County and outside the County. It would be difficult to envision the existance of the East Moore Water District if the District did not purchase water from neighboring Harnett County. Pinehurst residents, as well as Seven Lakes residents, have also benefited from the purchase of Harnett County water as it passes through the East Moore Water District to serve their peak demands. The Northwest Moore Water District can also become a reality and a partner in providing much needed decent, safe, and sanitary water to that area of the County. What I would like for the Board of Commissioners to keep in mind is that a water district can serve areas outside its physical borders without changing the boundaries of the water district as it was established. The districts were established the way they were for a reason. The inclusion of Mineral Springs Township in either the East Moore or the Northwest Moore Water Districts would have prevented the districts from being eligible to receive a portion of the funds from USDA-RUS as grant versus loan funds. Mr. Picerno, I know someone else that would like to discuss their views of water in rural Moore County with you. Are you receptive to calls other than just from the usually ranting Bflat?

Bflat 1 year, 4 months ago

The time to plan for water needs and resources was long, long ago. Sometime people don't appreciate it when facts are posted and then call it a "rant." Are you OK SP1?

It is well known that certain commissioners ramrodded through the federal sized JAIL. Doesn't this overbuilding far larger than needed and placing that JAIL in the middle of Town show the priorities of certain commissioners. When T Cary McSwain arrived from SC he had this huge vision for Moore County that will eventually be over $300,000,000.... a huge money pit.

Wake up Moore County people and Robbins. The hoodwinking isn't over. Think, think, think before you agree on anything with the MC Commissioners.

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 4 months ago

Bflat, I can agree with you that Cary McSwain is the problem. The Moore County Commissioners would be much better off if they realized this and sent him on his merry way.

tarheelborn 1 year, 4 months ago

@ SoPinesNo1. Sorry, but I strongly disagree with a portion of your statement above, ""Pinehurst residents, as well as Seven Lakes residents, have also benefited from the purchase of Harnett County water as it passes through the East Moore Water District to serve their peak demands.""

Pinehurst has PLENTY of water to supply itself! It is Moore County which continues to pump the Middendorf Aquifer Wells in Pinehurst to supply demand for other areas of Moore County as you have mentioned. If Everyone could only have a copy of the McGill Study and the other studies also, then a lot of misinformation would be avoided... However, I do Strongly AGREE with you about the County Manager! It was the very best thing the county did, to get rid of Dennis Brobst, but it still leaves the job Half Done! Fire McSwain and hire someone without "special interests", and tie's to the likes of Fred Hobbs and all the others which keep their hands in the cookie jar and continue to Lie, Steal, Cheat, etc, etc... Now one might say, Tarheelborn, you are getting close to stepping over the line... Look at the Court Reports and see who has been Charged and Convicted, before anyone passes judgment! Oh boy, could I ever more educate the public, if I didn't have so much other responsibilities. Enough for now......