| The Calhoun Commission will be meeting with the board of the Mt. Zion Public Service District today, after several citizens expressed concerns that a $5.2 million water extension project appears to be stuck, they say related to problems with the PSD completing right-of-ways.
The Mt. Zion PSD has received $5.2 million in funding for the 21-mile project that stretches from the Russett, Sassafras, Sandridge area to Millstone and up State Rt. 16 to Chloe.
The Calhoun Commission has long pushed the project after residents complained about lack of water and asked for help. Residents will benefit from having a consistent water supply, increased property values, better fire protection and lower insurance rates.
The special meeting of the Commission and the PSD board will be February 18th (Wednesday) at 4:00 p.m. in the Little Courtroom of the courthouse.
The special meeting posting: "The reason for the meeting is to discuss with the Mt. Zion Public Service District Board the progress and status of the Sandridge/Rt. 16/Westfork water line, and the need to get the project in a position so that it can be advertised for bids."
Tim Meeks of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council has advised the Calhoun Commission over the past year that bids would "soon be let," for the long awaited project.
In 2007, PSD secretary Wilma Mace said 150 customers had signed, saying that was the minimum number to secure funding. The original number was about 183. PSD members went door-to-door to get the needed signatures.
Signers agreed to pay a $100 tap fee and agreed to get water for three years. The average water bill would be about $26 a month, according to Mace.
In 2007, State Director Robert M. Steptoe, III, announced that Rural Development approved a loan of $850,000 and a grant of $450,000 for the project, after costs significantly escalated, adding $1,250,000 to the $4 million project.
The $5.2 million dollar project is one of few that have been fully funded in the state.
| 
