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Kevin Boozer

Staff Writer

WINNSBORO — Controversy over a Community Development Block Grant for sewer in the Middlesix area is viewed more as a communication issue than a feasibility and capacity issue by Winnsboro Town Council.

The town was told at the April 17 joint meeting of the Fairfield County Council and Winnsboro Town Council that the CDBG was put on hold.

When contacted a week later about the grant issue, Winnsboro Mayor Roger Gaddy expressed concern about a lack of coordination and communication with the county and town councils on issues involving water and sewer.

The $6 million industrial park construction project, without having secured adequate water, is another example of the problems these two entities are having, according to Gaddy.

“One major concern of myself and town council is that the county applied for the grant without talking to the town about our sewer capacity,” Gaddy said.

Gaddy said the town loses money on its sewer customers, as most municipalities do.

“It’s hard to keep up enough funds to pay for sewer services. We looked at that option years ago and determined it was not cost effective,” Gaddy said.

He said the town and county have the same economic goals but that there needs to be more of a coordinated effort between the two, particularly in the area of water since Winnsboro is a major water/sewer provider.

In other business from the Monday meeting:

— The town once again owns the Mt. Zion property and council agreed that right now it needs to have bushes and shrubs cleaned up on the site. Council also received legal advice on the property.

— Capital expense was approved for Jesse Douglas, director of gas/water/sewer, to buy tracks for the excavator, a utility trailer, tap, pump and working hose; pumps for sewer stations 1 and 3; one mini hoe; a five foot bush hog and an 18-inch chainsaw, lab equipment for the sewer plant; panel covers and doors for the sewer pump station; and having the Myers model 3hp pump dismounted and reassembled at the sewer plant.

— After executive session Gaddy said council agreed to waive late fees owed by Fairfield Memorial Hospital and instead to put FMH on a payment plan.