The potential workforce housing project on Old Cape Charles Road requires water and wastewater infrastructure before it can be built. The developer is ready to put the water project out to bid and pay the initial construction costs. At Thursday’s Regular Meeting, the Town Council approved providing the plans, specifications, and associated documents for the extension to the developer.
The firm of Hurt & Proffitt (H&P) completed the plans in 2020. Originally, the plans were part of the proposed ESVPSA Southern Node wastewater collection system, including a wastewater force main along Old Cape Charles Road.
While the developer will pay for the initial construction, taxpayers will ultimately fund the project by repaying the cost, more than likely through town and county tax credits.
Affordable housing is a hot-button issue, however, county residents may want to sleep with one eye open. The completion of the southern node collection system could be seen as a backdoor effort to finally establish a regional water/wastewater system in southern Northampton County, replacing well and septic with fee-driven utility sources.
Don’t sell the water