Sylva leaders expected to take stand on library, amend Moody Bottom sewer project

By Lynn Hotaling and Carey Phillips

Sylva officials are expected to pass a resolution urging county leaders to keep the Jackson County Public Library in downtown Sylva during tonight's (Thursday's) regular meeting, said town Manager Richard McHargue.

Jackson County's commissioners have proposed combining the public library and Southwestern Community College library into a new facility to be built on Webster Road (N.C. 116), a move several Sylva leaders have said they oppose.

The proposed resolution calls maintaining a library in the central business "essential to the viability of downtown revitalization" and "an economic stimulus to the town that will continue to benefit both town and county residents."

The resolution says parents can shop in the downtown area while their children use the library and seniors find the downtown location convenient for morning news and Internet access.

In closing, the proposal resolves that town board members will assist county commissioners in securing a library location in the central business district.

Also at tonight's meeting, Sylva leaders are likely to expand the scope of the Moody Bottom sewer project to include eight or 10 houses on Scotts Creek Road between Skyland Drive and Hospital Road, McHargue said.

Sewage leaking from septic tanks was discovered in the area last week, and health officials approached the town about including sewer availability for the houses in the project, McHargue said.

Sewer lines already exist on the creek side of the road, McHargue said, and the house with the failing septic tank has been temporarily connected to that line.

Including the Scotts Creek area would add an estimated $85,000 to the $534,000 already committed to the project, according to McHargue. Among other matters likely to be discussed is the town's garbage collection contract, McHargue said.

After trash hauler Country Collections was unable to fulfill its obligation two weeks ago, McHargue said town employees stepped in to provide trash pickup for town residents.

While Sylva plans to move to in-house trash pickup with the next fiscal year, a new garbage truck the town has ordered will not be available until late June, McHargue said.

In the interim, the town has contracted with former hauler GDS to provide residential trash pickup and collection of blue bag recyclables through June 30, McHargue said.

Back to Archive: 05/01/03.