The Spruce Pine Town Council met last week to discuss water and sewer funding, among other town business items.
Water/sewer grant
The council voted to accept two $150,000 Asset Inventory and Assessment grants (total of $300,000) from North Carolina’s Wastewater Reserve and Drinking Water Reserve, for water and sewer infrastructure.
“What will become of it is a comprehensive study of our existing water infrastructure and our existing sewer infrastructure, and all that will be translated into GIS (geographic information system) mapping,” Town Manager Daniel Stines said. “That will be extremely viable for us to continue into the future of improving our water/sewer infrastructure, which is in severe need of doing so.”
Stines noted that GIS mapping and assessing the town’s water/sewer infrastructure will make it possible to apply for a significant number of grants that will help with actually improving that infrastructure, because the town will have specific data on the system’s situation and needs.
Hospital concerns
Eddie Gouge, chairman of the Mitchell County Democratic Party, spoke during the public comment period about the need to support Blue Ridge Regional Hospital during a time of health care spending cuts.
Gouge urged the council to pass a resolution supporting the hospital.
“I want to encourage this council to adopt a resolution in support of the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, and to encourage all of our citizens to communicate their support for our hospital to our state and federal elected officials,” Gouge said.
He also read a resolution from the MCDP offering its support for the hospital.
“The Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine is the medical lifeline to the people of this area, as well as being an economic engine and catalyst for the region,” Gouge read. “The facility was built with the blood, sweat, tears, and hard work of many that have gone on before us. … The Mitchell County Democratic Party will work with you in every possible way to ensure that the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine remains open.”