Dillsboro board member opposes dredging sand from Tuckaseigee

By Rose Hooper

Mayor Wade Wilson said an individual had approached him seeking Dillsboro's permission to pump sand from the Dillsboro Reservoir.

"Wait a minute," board member Jim Cochran said at the first mention of the proposal. "Haven't we been through this before? When I was first moving here, I was notified that an operation wanted to pump sand out of the same location ­ right across from my house on North River Road and where River Park Apartments are now.

"Herb Nolan (town clerk) helped me write letters of concern to all the permitting agencies, and we were successful in stopping the business from coming in. We could do that again," Cochran said.

Wilson said Dillsboro did not own both sides of the Tuckaseigee River and therefore would not have full control of the issue. The other side is owned by Duke Power Co.

"We may not have a total voice, but we have total concern," Cochran said. "We have to consider hours of operation, the noise the operation would make and the additional truck traffic on the road. With its ordinances, the town could prevent the operation if it wanted to."

"The town isn't the only place he needs to get the OK. He's starting with the town first, but there are eight other agencies like TVA, EPA and N.C. Wildlife that he needs to get permits from," said Wilson.

After much discussion, board members decided to contact the individual for additional facts and stipulations before making any decisions.

The board did make a decision on rezoning a section of property from commercial to residential. Only one of the five property owners, Herb Nolan, appeared strongly in favor of the rezoning; several of the others, like Lera Chitwood, objected just as strongly.

Cochran made a motion to drop the zoning change proposals and the board agreed.

Board member Reg Moody Sr., reporting for the Capitol Improvement Committee, said the committee has agreed it is the town's fiduciary responsibility to assist property owners within the town limits in obtaining water and sewer service. However, Moody said, since the town is not an authority like Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority, and does not provide these services as a town, each request must be considered on an individual basis.

As the town's TWSA representative, Cochran pointed out that TWSA will not cross individual property lines to connect another property owner to water and sewer. Instead, he said, it is the property owner's responsibility to bring their own connection to TWSA.

Moody said the committee adopted a policy, which states that "in no case shall any contribution exceed the property taxes resulting from the appraised value of improvements made to the property as determined by the estimates of the Jackson County tax assessors office's review of the plans submitted prior to construction of all improvements." After the property owner makes improvements, the town will determine its contribution, he said.

In other news from Dillsboro, Wilson told board members that the county Greenway Project has received a $5,000 grant to connect the two Dillsboro parks. At the last Greenway Committee meeting, Wilson said it was proposed to raise $50,000 over a two-year period to apply for a matching grant. Dillsboro's share would be $10,000, or $5,000 for each of the two years. The money would have to come from the town's fund balance, Wilson said. Upon a motion by board member Jean Hartbarger, the board agreed to set aside those moneys for the Greenway Project.

Also approved was the material for uniform signs throughout town. One side is vinyl, the other side is aluminum and with the plastic letters carries a seven-year warranty. To begin the project, board members voted Monday night to spend $280 to replace eight signs.

The town also voted to not allow roller blades or scooters on the streets and sidewalks of Dillsboro.

Back to Archive: 01/11/01.