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The Currituck County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on January 27 to discuss new business items, including the authorization of two sole source purchases, the approval of an awarded contract for the Hangar Taxilanes and T-Hangar project at Currituck Regional Airport, the approval of a design fee proposal for the Moyock wastewater treatment plant, and approval of a balloon ban ordinance.

First up on the agenda for approval was the purchase of two sole source products: Hersey meters from Water Works Metrology, LLC for the county’s Outer Banks water system, and a GlideScope Go 2 monitor from Verathon Inc. for the county’s fire and EMS departments. County manager Rebecca Gay defined “sole source” as there being only one company which manufactures and supplies the apparatus or materials needed. Due to the exclusive nature of sole source products, board approval is required. The commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of 212 meters, 100 antennas and 200 registers for a total cost of $105,903.30, and a GlideScope Go 2 monitor kit and supplies in the amount of $6,475.

As for the Currituck Regional Airport hangar project, bids were taken in December for the construction of a 10-unit aircraft hangar along with additional improvements. Four bids were received and, after review, A.R. Chesson Construction Company was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a total bid of $3,998,799.02 (this includes bid alternate items).

The state had appropriated $4 million to the airport, which would support the bulk of this project. Gay noted that the remaining covered costs would come from state-aided funds and a match from the county, in the amount of $29,000. “That’s a pretty good return on your money,” Chairman Paul O’Neal voiced before the board unanimously approved awarding the project to A.R. Chesson.

Next up for board approval was a design-fee proposal for the Moyock wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) project. This project would involve the construction of a 300,000 GPD (gallons per day) WWTP and high-rate infiltration system. The county has allocated $13,762,000 in funding for this project. Design-builder T.A. Loving submitted a proposal for the design fees associated with the design-build services required for the construction of the new plant in the amount of $2,067,782.76. This fee is just for design and preconstruction scope of work.

Currently, there is a 100,000 GPD system undergoing testing at the plant. Gay shared that preliminary results are in and the county is working with the system’s manufacturer to meet one last parameter in order to achieve compliance. Commissioner Janet Rose asked if it was possible to have the person in charge of the plant come in and speak with the board regarding current results and future plans. “I think it would be beneficial for whole board and community to know where we are and what it looks like when it’s finished,” O’Neal chimed in. The chairman added that talk of pent-up growth on commercial business in Currituck has been going around, and the future of the Moyock WWTP is the key for builders to pull the trigger.

The question still remains as to whether the 100,000 GPD system will stay once the 300,000 GPD system is constructed. A timeline for completion once construction begins is roughly 24 months, according to Gay. In unanimously approving the deign-fee proposal, board members left Gay with the task of having someone present at their next meeting to discuss sewage plans for Currituck County in its entirety.

The board also approved a balloon ban ordinance, headed by Southern Shores resident Debbie Swick. Section 9-12 of the county’s code now states that the intentional release of balloons is prohibited and those found to be in violation will be subject to a $50 fine. After amending the ordinance to include “intentional” release, O’Neal felt the board would be “more inclined” to adopt the proposed ordinance. “Some of the detractors have told me that they thought this was a reasonable compromise.” With the sole “nay” coming from commissioner Kevin McCord, the new ordinance was approved.

Other items on the evening’s agenda included reappointing Mary Simmons and Barbara Snowden to the Historic Preservation Commission, and appointing Brandon Johnson for appointment to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, replacing Ray Matusko. A mutual aid agreement with the City of Chesapeake for fire and EMS response services was approved, and the board agreed to a new order of proceedings for their monthly meetings. The commissioners’, manager’s and attorney’s reports will now take place at the end of each meeting, right before adjournment. The order of business also separates quasi-judicial/evidentiary hearings and legislative hearings from one another.

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