It Hurts, but Sometimes You Just Can’t Accept $5 Million

For the last two years, the Appomattox River Water Authority has had dangling before them a $5 million matching grant from the General Assembly to assist in paying for a project that would raise the Brasfield Dam 18 inches.

The grant was the good work spearheaded by Kirk Cox, who before becoming Speaker of the House two years ago assisted in convincing lawmakers the project could be beneficial for the residents in and around Lake Chesdin.

Even before the grant was secured, and in the months that followed, the Authority wrestled with the merits of moving forward with the project that was estimated to be well over $20 million to complete.  At its most recent meeting on March 15, the Authority members made a decision to end the long discussions and not pursue the project at this time.

How do you walk away from, or give back $5 million?  It wasn’t easy, but the Authority members were convinced that engineering studies and other data made it clear the project was premature and the investment did not need to be made at this time.

Chesterfield County Administrator Joe Casey submitted two resolutions at the March 15 meeting.  One was to move forward with the project and capture the funds.  When that motion failed because of a lack of a second, the second resolution was considered that calls for the project to be revisited in five years and the data to continue to be monitored and analyzed.  That motion passed unanimously.

In a perfect world, where money was no object, moving forward with the raising of the dam makes good sense.  It is likely the project will be needed sometime in the future, but again the engineering studies indicate it is not necessary for the present and really made the decision easy for the other four members whose budgets would have to assist in paying for the project.

Kudos to the Authority members for making a major decision.  Besides the Brasfield Dam project, the members have also been gridlocked on reaching a new service agreement to operate the Authority and also whether to construct a new treatment plant at Brander’s Bridge for future economic development. 

A consultant’s report identifying the assets and the worth of the Authority and possible changes in governance is also on the table. 

These are major decisions, but ones that need to be made for the Authority to move forward.  Sometimes you have to give back something to make progress.  As painful as it was, giving back $5 million was necessary to lead to a final decision.

Other news and notes:

Love’s Travel Center has enjoyed a good first month of operations at its new location along Route 460.  At its Grand Opening, it announced it was donating $2,000 to the Prince George Parks & Recreation Foundation for youth programs.  That check was presented on March 15 to P&R Foundation officials.

New bench covers for the soccer fields at New Scott Park are in place and ready for the start of the spring season.  The covers were donated in memory of former Supervisor Jerry Skalsky, who coached the first youth soccer team in Prince George County.