Pittsboro water superintendent Charles Mayhan told the board of aldermen Tuesday night 33 town water lines have been hit by the boring for Bruce Telephone Company’s (BTC) fiber optic project costing the town in excess of $10,000 in repairs thus far.
The board held a lengthy discussion on billing the company for the town’s cost.
Mayhan explained he is marking all the lines he can, but “so many of them we have no idea where they are.”
Mayhan said since the town’s meeting with Palmgren Construction officials, he has seen their workers going to great lengths to try and avoid every line possible.
Mayhan did say he was “nervous” about the scheduled bore from the square to the jail to begin Wednesday morning due to a 6-inch water line along the same path.
The board ultimately voted 4-1, Fred Bullard voting against, to send a certified letter to BTC explaining the town’s costs and their expectation to eventually be compensated for the repairs forced on them.
Gayle Bullard
In other news, the board agreed to advertise for bids on a new fire truck based on specifications presented by Gayle Bullard. He explained they’re seeking the minimum truck that meets all required specs from the state.
The anticipated cost is $220,000. The town has been approved for a $70,000 grant but hasn’t received funds yet. They will have to finance remainder of cost.
Bullard is also hoping to sell the current 25-year-old truck with only 10,000 miles to an out-of-state department with lesser certification requirements. He said he didn’t know how much it might bring.
Bullard said Pittsboro’s current fire rating is an eight. Without a new fire truck the town would jump to a nine which could impact home insurance rates by as much as 20%.
The board said they hadn’t heard from organizers of the alcohol petition on how many signatures have been obtained. Town Clerk Amy White told the board they had six signed petitions turned in to Town Hall thus far. She said there were many more picked up, but not yet returned. Twenty-five are needed to force an election.