Sanford Council approves utilty mergers with Chatham, Siler City

Nov. 7—On Tuesday, Sanford City Council approved merging with Chatham County and Siler City for water and wastewater services.

The action — which passed 6-0 with Councilman Charles Taylor absent — was expected as the council discussed the mergers during previous workshops.

Attorney DeWitt F. "Mac" McCarley noted that Sanford will be responsible for two Chatham County projects totaling about $1.4 million and $3.4 million each with the merger with Sanford's TriRiver Water.

In response to a question from Councilman Walter Ferguson, McCarley noted the goal is for Chatham County's customers' rates to eventually fall to where Sanford's are currently. However, he said it could take 20 or 30 years.

McCarley noted that Siler City is under a consent agreement with the state "due to some failings of their system."

McCarley said staff are "working to come up with a plan to come into compliance" with regulations sooner than currently planned.

The state provided $75 million toward improvements in Siler City that include a new water tower and upgrades to their wastewater treatment plant and lines, he said.

He noted that Siler City customers are paying for two state revolving fund loans and will continue to do so after the merger is complete in July 1, 2025.

In response to a question from Councilman J.D. Williams, Assistant City Manager Beth Kelly said the merger with Siler City is contingent on them providing approved audits from the North Carolina Local Government Commission for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

"Should everything go smoothly, come the end of our fiscal year, we'll be merged with our partners," Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon said.

"I think we're becoming a real leader in regionalism," Salmon said, referring to the city's addition of Pittsboro earlier this year and a planned expansion that will provide water to Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs by 2028.

Public hearings

The council approved public hearings for 6 p.m. Nov. 19 for two potential annexations, including 18.34 acres along Center Church Road adjacent to Tramway Elementary and .68 of an acre east of U.S. 1, west of Pegg Street in the Tramway Marketplace.

Peddlers LandingDuring public comment at the beginning of the Nov. 5 meeting, Emily Braren and Marshall Reid spoke against council approval of a mixed-use development near their home called "Peddler's Landing."

Braren said the project is scheduled for council's Nov. 19 agenda.

She asked council to "prioritize the needs of the local community instead of catering to developers and out-of-town buyers."

Noting that the development plans 340 residential units between Cemetery and Tramway roads near Raleigh Street, Braren said she and Reid, her husband, wake up to reckless driving incidents on a little strip of road near their home.

Adding 340 units will only exacerbate the problem, she said.

Reid said there are no sidewalks in the area, and added that people often have to dodge traffic while walking.

Farmers' marketCouncilwoman Jean Dabbs noted that Saturday, Nov. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is the final farmers' market of the season.

The event at 115 Chatham St. is longer than usual and will be held in conjunction with the Artisan Holiday Fair, she said.