Waterline and Meter Replacement

Seven Mile Ford Waterline Replacement and Sytemwide Meter Replacement Procject

After inactivity on this project for several months due to audits, other projects, etc. I can report that this project is still moving forward. The town has worked with the Virginia Health Department to complete all environmental review requirements, and a Categorical Exclusion has been approved for the project.

Town staff have met several times over the past month to review project plans and have met with Hurt & Proffitt to determine changes necessary to make final preparations.

Ms. Eller, myself, and several others continue to work through the parity process required by VRA and USDA/Rural Development to close the funding package.

I’m hopeful for Spring 2026 closing on this project.

In the October 9, 2025 report

Seven Mile Ford Waterline Replacement and Sytemwide Meter Replacement Procject

Due to inactivity on this project for several months due to audits, other projects, etc. I can report that this project is still moving forward. The town has worked with the Virginia Health Department to complete all environmental review requirements, and a Categorical Exclusion has been approved for the project.

Town staff have met several times over the past month to review project plans and have met with Hurt & Proffitt to determine changes necessary to make final preparations.

Ms. Eller, myself, and several others continue to work through the parity process required by VRA and USDA/Rural Development to close the funding package.

I’m hopeful for Spring 2026 closing on this project.

In the September 11, 2025 report

Water Line and Meter Replacement Project

It was our intention to have an orientation meeting on this project on October 2. However, we opted to delay this meeting until November due to the overwhelming volume of work after Hurricane Helene.

In the October 10, 2024 report

Water Line and Meter Replacement Project

This project, which is projected to kick off later in 2025 is still in the planning phases. On August 7th, town staff and Hurt & Proffitt met at Town Hall with Mr. Matt Beyer for the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water to discuss the Environmental Review process for the project. After our meeting Mr. Beyer viewed the project area with Mr. Danny Combs and Mr. Tyler Keen. Based on his analysis, the town will pursue a Categorical Exclusion since the entire project will be replacing existing equipment and therefore will not be impacting previously undisturbed ground.

Not directly related to this project, but nevertheless impacting it, I requested a meeting with the town’s bookkeepers and auditor to discuss the status of the town’s audits. As you’re aware, the town is current through Fiscal Year 2022. Last week Ms. Eller and I had a very productive meeting with both our bookkeeping firm and the auditors. I’m pleased to report to you that work is being done diligently to complete our FY 2023 audit. However, I regret to have to tell you that at the absolute very best, the audit for FY 2024 will not be able to be completed any earlier than July 1, 2025.

As this meter replacement project is slated for a VRA loan closing in March 2025, it is apparent that this project schedule will slip by several months unless VRA is willing to relax their stringent requirements.

A bright note related to our audits is the fact that, assuming that both annual audits can be completed on our discussed timeline (no small feat to say the least), the town will then be completely current on its audits for the first time in over a decade.

In the September 12, 2024 report

Upcoming Waterline and Meter Replacement Project

As we prepare for the upcoming waterline and meter replacement project, I have had several discussions with our engineering consultants and with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). On July 24th, town staff met with Dennis Amos from Hurt & Proffitt and Brad Humpries with VDH. We discussed initial planning steps and also loan closing procedures for the town’s loan through the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA).

Noting that the town is still one year behind on our audits (due to no fault whatsoever of the current town staff), I reached out to Joe Bergeron at VRA to get an official answer on what audit requirements they will require to close this loan projected for March 2025. I have attached my original letter along with the VRA response. The Clerk/Treasurer and I will be meeting with the town’s auditors soon to share the VRA response with them so that they are solidly informed on these requirements. Being very frank, I have concerns that not one, but two annual audits, which will bring us completely up to date, can be accomplished in that timeframe. This would push back the start date for this project.

On August 7th, Dennis Amos and I met with VDH representatives at town hall to initiate the preliminary steps of the Environmental Review process for this project.

In the August 8, 2024 report