Homeowner’s septic problems lead to annexation ♥

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 10, 2012

By Hugh Martin

TROY — Chronic problems with an aged septic system have resulted in a Troy homeowner being annexed by the town.

Sylvester Covington has repeatedly attempted repairs to the dilapidated septic lines at his home on South Main Street but has met with repeated breakdowns. As a result, he has petitioned the Town of Troy to annex his property and connect him to the town’s sewer system.

Covington is already on the town’s water system but is paying an out-of-town rate, which is higher than water customers inside the city limits. Annexation would lower his water costs, and with the monthly sewer charge added, Covington will probably see no difference in his monthly bill from the town.

Commissioner Wallace Jones made the motion for the town to begin the proceedings for annexation of Covington’s property and the entire board agreed.

On a related matter, the board voted to hold a public hearing Sept. 10 to begin the application process for a grant that will offer assistance for properties that need renovation or replacement. Two public hearings will be required, the second scheduled for mid-October.

In other business at the Aug. 6 meeting, Commissioners Jones, Angela Elkins, James Hurley, Bruce Hamilton, Chris Watkins and Mayor Roy Maness:

* Conducted a public hearing and then voted to continue with the application for a Small Business & Entrepreneurial Assistance (SBEA) grant through the Community Development Block Grant Program on behalf of Alandale Knitting LLC. Alandale plans to expand its textile operation, which would add up to 20 jobs.

* Approved resolutions that will allow the town to accept an NC Rural Center grant for the purpose of sewer upgrades related to the operation of the new Wright Foods Company, which has started operations in the Troy Business Park.

* Heard a report on a plot-mapping project that is under way in the older areas of the town’s cemetery. Tree and drainage issues on the property are also being addressed.

* Received an update on the paving project behind the fire department building on North Main Street. Progress Energy has agreed to bury the power lines to facilitate the work.

* Praised public works employees for the job that they performed in getting the town’s golf course reopened following a damaging storm that caused major damage to the trees around the Denson’s Creek complex.

* Were updated on the relocation of the Family Dollar Store from a shopping center on Albemarle Road to the site of the former Mazatlan Restaurant, just across the street. Town officials had urged the chain to locate in an existing building in the downtown area but were unsuccessful in convincing them to do so. Traffic and property issues have been addressed and construction work has already started for the new building.