Oneida Board Approves 'De-Annexation'

October 27, 2005

Oneida’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on second and final reading to approve an unusual “de-annexation” ordinance, and heard a report from Water & Sewer Department Manager Johnny Acres concerning the winding down of a major sewer extension project and the beginning of a major water line extension project.

Those two items were the primary topics of discussion during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting of the town’s governing body.

By a 4-0 vote with Vice Mayor Jeff Tibbals absent, the board approved the de-annexation of approximately one-fourth of a 1400+ acre tract in the Bear Creek area.

Mayor Jack E. Lay informed the board that new homes had been constructed on the northern-most edge of the property, which would require having to travel through the corporate limits of Winfield in order to provide police patrols, fire protection and sanitation service, which he said was not practical.

The entire tract, which now contains Scenic Raceway and the Roberta Landfill, was brought into the town several years ago, Mayor Lay stated, at which time there was no residential development on that portion of property located in the New Light Road area just west of the town of Winfield. Now, however, a road has been built into the property and homes have been constructed.

While property lines and “calls” have been established on the property being de-annexed, Mayor Lay said he didn’t know the exact acreage, but estimated it to be around 20% to 25% of the original tract.

It was not immediately known whether or not the property owners would petition Winfield for incorporation or simply remain in the county.

In other business Thursday, the board heard a detailed report from Acres concerning the winding down of a project to extend sanitary sewer service to all areas within the corporate limits not previously connected, after which he followed up with a report on plans to launch a grant-financed, $1.3 million expansion of the town’s water system.

Acres said that virtually all sewer line mains into the south, west and north areas of the town have been or are nearing completion and that a total of 191 pumps (of 200 projected for the project) have been installed. A final phase of the project will be installing some 8,500 feet of 2-inch and 3-inch connecting lines, which may be done by Water & Sewer Department personnel rather than a contractor, Acres said.

On October 18, Acres continued, he met with engineers and contractors to lay out plans for a $1.3 million water line improvement project, which will include laying a new 16-inch line from the Water Plant to connect with one new and one existing 12-inch main into the northern portions of the town. The project is designed to increase water pressure and to provide additional fire hydrants for fire protection, Acres said.

Acres and Mayor Lay explained that the new water mains would be laid during the fall and winter months with completion of the project next summer. It was also pointed out that several streets will have to be cut to facilitate the project all along the route but, Mayor Lay said, the cuts will be paved over in the spring.

When asked about the falling water level at the Howard H. Baker Watershed Lake, Acres said that a raw water shortage isn’t the problem it once was since the town now has a back-up reservoir at the Oneida City Park Lake, as well as water line connections to both McCreary County and the Huntsville Utility District from which to draw.

Also Thursday night, the board voted to approve two fundraising roadblocks, one for the 7th District Fire Department on Coopertown Road near the fire station from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 5, and the other for Helenwood’s Heartland Full Gospel Church at the Oak Grove traffic light on U.S. 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., also on Nov. 5.

Mayor Lay, in the absence of Fire Chief Mike Stringer, delivered the September activity report of the Oneida Volunteer Fire Department, as well as announcing that the Oneida Police Department had been commended by the state for incident reports filed “error-free” and in a timely manner throughout 2004.

newsroom@ihoneida.com

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