Committee proposes formula to fund SFD

By Lynn Hotaling

Sylva town board member Maurice Moody, who represented Sylva on the joint committee, told board members last Thursday (Sept. 5) that the committee would recommend a cost-sharing arrangement based on ad valorem taxes as a means of more equitably funding the Sylva Fire Department, which provides fire protection to all three towns and some unincorporated areas.

After taking into account Jackson County's contribution to the SFD for the fire protection it provides areas outside town limits, the committee determined that, based on percentages of tax valuation, Dillsboro and Webster would each pay around $7,700 for fire protection, and Sylva would contribute some $70,000.

Sylva officials had previously asked for a $10,000 contribution from the two smaller towns, which have paid $3,000 each for the past five years.

Webster increased its contribution to $3,500 this year, while Dillsboro's remained $3,000.

If approved by the three town boards, the new formula for fire department funding would take effect next year. Sylva leaders did not act on the recommendation Thursday night.

In other action Thursday:

- A Lovesfield resident asked Sylva officials to provide him with access to a municipal sewer line.

Despite the fact that his Plum Street residence has a functioning sewer hookup, Huey Buchanan asked members of Sylva's town board for assistance because he does not have a deeded sewer easement for the portion of his line that crosses the property of adjacent land owner William Gaddy of Charlotte.

"I don't see that you have a problem," town attorney Eric Ridenour told Buchanan Thursday. "If you have a problem, we'll condemn (Gaddy's line)."

"You can't condemn a private line," Buchanan said. "If you can condemn it, why don't you do it?"

Ridenour explained that there was no need to start condemnation proceedings now since Buchanan does not have problem. Sylva officials have agreed, through a letter to Buchanan's attorney, to provide Buchanan with sewer access in the event a problem develops with his existing access, Ridenour said.

Buchanan, after reiterating that he doesn't own his current sewer access and was seeking legal access to Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority's line that extends along N.C. 107, told board members he wanted action during Thursday's session.

"So you want us to spend taxpayers' money to drill under the road to give you sewage (access) you already have? I have a problem with that," said Moody.

"I want sewage, Maurice. I've got a piece of property I want fixed," Buchanan said.

Buchanan said late Tuesday that he was not satisfied with the letter from town officials. What he wants, he said, is for the town to run a line under N.C. 107 that would connect with the line from his house on his property.

"I want sewage," he said. "I've got it, but I don't have it legally. I'm getting old, and I want sewage legal. I want it for my kids. I feel I deserve legal sewage like everybody else."

Before exiting last week's meeting, Buchanan told board members, "I don't even want Plum Street mentioned to me again. I'll eat dust."

Buchanan's parting shot was apparently directed at the board's ongoing effort to pave Plum Street, a measure initially requested by Buchanan and one of his neighbors, Claude Mills.

Though Plum Street was not a topic last Thursday, it has been a frequent agenda item during the past few months. The street is not town-maintained, and N.C. Department of Transportation officials have resisted improving the street due to right of way concerns.

Buchanan Tuesday repeated his plan to block work on Plum Street until he gets sewage.

"I have to sign before they can do anything," he said. "I own twice as much property along Plum Street as anyone else."

Back to Archive: 09/12/02.