The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Scott Martin |
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
By CHARLES BOOTHE - Staff Writer
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors wants to work with the Town of Rocky Mount on eliminating a hazard at the dam on the Pigg River.
Scott Martin, director of the county's department of commerce and leisure services, presented the board with four options Tuesday to fix a "hydraulic" in front of the dam, located beside the Veterans' Memorial Park.
During times of high water, a 5-foot deep, recirculating hole creates a dangerous hydraulic in front of the dam. That hole can trap anyone who would happen to fall in, whether from a boat or the concrete platform adjacent to the dam.
A resident drowned recently in a similar hydraulic at Rocky Mount's water treatment plant dam on the Blackwater River.
Martin said the dam can be removed entirely, the facing can be changed to temporarily eliminate the hydraulic, a plan to create an in-stream park at the site can move forward or no action can be taken at this time.
The costs of each option varies from about $20,000 to "retrofit" the dam by filling the hole to at least $316,000 for the in-stream park, a figure that is likely to rise, he said.
Removing the dam would cost between $100,000 and $125,000, but some federal stimulus money may be available for that option.
However, the drawback to that option would be that it would preclude the creation of an in-stream park at the site.
Boones Mill Supervisor David Hurt said he supported the in-stream park and did not want to take away the possibility of that ever being built.
"I very much want to see the vision for a park fulfilled," he said. "But this is a terrible time (to do such a project) with budget restraints."
Blackwater District Supervisor Wayne Angell agreed, but said there is "some urgency" to eliminate the hazard.
Martin said the town actually owns the dam, but the county was working on the in-stream park because the town was taking care of the hiking trail that follows the Pigg River in that area.
Martin said the town "wants to do something" about the hazard, and Snow Creek Supervisor Leland Mitchell suggested Martin check with the town for more specifics about what they may want to do.
Other supervisors agreed, as did county Administrator Rick Huff.
"The direction I'm getting is, let's not look at dam removal, but give the same presentation (on the other options) to the town ... and pull together a partnership," Martin said.
The design for an in-stream park includes the creation of three pools of water for recreation, safe passage through the dam and an improvement for fish habitat.
Martin said the in-stream park would be something local residents would enjoy for "many, many years to come."
On another issue, the board approved by a vote of 6-1 a request from Sheriff Ewell Hunt to include a chief deputy title with more specific job duties.
Union Hall Supervisor David Cundiff cast the lone dissenting vote. Cundiff asked why the change was needed, and Hunt answered that the change was more in line with other sheriff's departments in the region, as is the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Angell said that the request was an internal change and "doesn't affect our oversight of funding for the sheriff's department."
If the sheriff wants to change the job title and add more specific job descriptions without changing the pay grade, Angell said, "who cares?" |
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