After hearing requests from two unincorporated communities, the Moore County Board of Commissioners on Monday agreed to seek a $571,500 Community Development Block Grant to extend water and sewer lines into Monroetown.

The application calls for a local commitment of $125,000, but Community Development Director Tony Patnode said part of that money could be applied “in-kind” through the services provided by his department. Payment can also be extended over two budget years.

“I think we can have a competitive bid. If we waive tap fees, that will further enhance our application,” Patnode said.

The application for federal funds must be submitted by May 26 to the Division of Community Assistance, an arm of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The state agency screens applications for block grants funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Monday night presentation was the final public hearing of two required before the county can apply for infrastructure funding.

Four speakers — two from Monroetown and two from Addor — appeared before the board to express interest in block grant projects.

Water and Sewer Needs

“We really need water out there — and sewer,” said Charles Barrett, the owner of three pieces of property in Monroetown.

In the summer, it is almost impossible to keep water in wells, Barrett said. He told the board that last summer he had to have water brought in on three occasions.

Louise Jones, an Addor resident, told of recreation needs and continuing water and sewer needs in her community, located south of Pinebluff.

Jones said that many Addor residents are older people, some suffering from diabetes and in need of exercise. She said there are few opportunities to get exercise in the neighborhood, and Addor residents must travel to Aberdeen and Southern Pines, where they pay a fee to participate as out-of-towners.

Jones said she and others in Addor are appreciative of the county’s work in securing a grant to extend water and sewer lines into the community a few years ago. But she added that not everyone benefited from that grant. She said there is a need to extend water and sewer lines along other streets.

“Please don’t forget us, because we haven’t forgotten you,” Jones said.

“Addor is in dire need of water and sewer,” said Bobby Little, who said he too was speaking on behalf of the Addor community.

Karen Stanford said most of the Monroetown people are elderly and unable to improve their water situation. She said that her daughter, who lives next door, cannot drink the water from her well and must haul water from the Stanford home.

“We are really in need for water,” Stanford said.

On a motion by Commissioner Robert S. Ewing and a second by Commissioner Colin McKenzie, the board voted unanimously to authorize the Monroetown application.

However, Chairman Michael R. Holden acknowledged the needs of Addor.

“We know the people in the community are working hard down there to improve their community,” Holden said. He also recalled that the county recreation director had previously carried out some projects at Addor, such as installing basketball goals at the community center.

Matching Funds

After the public hearing, McKenzie said he was very much in favor of the project but was concerned about the source of local funding, especially in a tight budget year.

Patnode said that $75,000 toward the grant is included in the county manager’s 2000-01 budget proposal. He said that the county could recover up to $50,000 from the services his department provides, and this money can be applied to the $125,000 local commitment.

“We’re spending $125,000 to get $571,000,” said Commissioner Paul S. Helms in reference to the county’s proposed investment.

In his presentation, Patnode said that he has identified 31 occupied homes and 70 residents in Monroetown. He said most residents have lower incomes, and women head many of those households.

Patnode described Monroetown as a small minority community off U.S. 15-501 about a mile and a half north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle. Monroetown is completely surrounded by the Pinehurst No, 6 development but predates Pinehurst No. 6 by many years. The unincorporated community has no water and sewer services, although these utilities are available in Pinehurst.

Change Order

The board also took action Monday on another matter relating to a block grant project.

In this case, the commissioners approved a change order in the Davis community portion of the 1998 CDBG project.

Patnode explained that the contract was awarded to Temple Grading and Construction, but when the pre-construction conference was held, it was learned that the “in-town” section of the water line was not designed according to the original agreement. He said the change order was needed in order for the contractor to handle construction work inside the Robbins town limits.

Although the $168,449.18 work order appears high, Patnode said the project remains about $50,000 under budget and otherwise appears to be on target.

Patnode said what was overlooked in the original design was the understanding that the water line is being extended from a point in downtown Robbins.

The project, which was paired with a similar water line improvement at West End, is to be complete in August.

On a motion by Helms, the board voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the change order.

Performance Bond

In other business at the Monday meeting, the board agreed to accept a $95,000 certified check as performance bond for the Sullivan Estates subdivision off Thunder Road. The developer is Lawrence Laton of Southern Pines.

County Planning Director Nancy Roy explained that the subdivision ordinance requires the posting of bond in situations where the developer is unable to complete infrastructure within 12 months after approval of the preliminary plat. That bond must equal 1.25 times the cost of installing the infrastructure.

In this case, the infrastructure consists of building roads to meet N.C. Department of Transportation standards.