Paul Teague

The Cajah's Mountain Town Council received a report outlining recommendations for the restoration of the Lake Rhodhiss Watershed during Tuesday's meeting at the Town Hall.

Designated an impaired waterway by the Environmental Protection Agency, Lake Rhodhiss serves as the intake source for Lenoir's public water system that is used by most of the county. The 19-point outline, developed by the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, includes developing restoration plans for each of the 19 subwatersheds along the lake. In addition, stormwater management, sedimentation and erosion control, improvements to sewage treatment systems and the development of riparian buffers are included in the report.

Identifying the primary pollutant impairing the lake is phosphorus, Town Planner Laurie LoCicero said inaction could lead the EPA to restrict development along and near the waterway.

"We're taking steps now so we won't get to that point," she said.

Noting that the recommendations do not call for the town to contribute financially to the improvement plan, LoCicero added there is a potential for dues to be requested in the future.

"How much is it going to cost? That's what we don't know at this time," she said.

LoCicero said state and federal funding has been available for similar projects in the past, though she cautioned that money for the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund has been curtailed.

Cajah's Mountain Town Attorney Charles Brady said the potential for EPA action is real and would have substantial ramifications.

"This is important stuff," he said. "For over two decades this has gotten worse progressively. It's a decades-long problem that has been ignored."

The council agreed to have LoCicero return with additional information concerning a time frame for the implementation of the project and its potential cost to the town.

Meanwhile, the board approved two resolutions, including one to designate Oct. 4-10 as Fire Prevention Week in the town. In the other, the board voiced its opposition to the potential loss of jobs at the Hickory mail processing center. The U.S. Post Office currently is studying closing the center, which would result in mail being processed through a center in Greensboro. According to the American Postal Workers Union, more than 70 Caldwell County residents are employed at the Hickory site.

Also, Mayor Ronnie Setzer informed the council that North Catawba Fire and Rescue now has a Caldwell County Emergency Medical Service ambulance and staff member at the station every day of the week.

"There are already incidences where lives have been saved," Setzer said. "I am so pleased with the results. This is something we have worked long and hard for."

Setzer said Caldwell County Emergency Services Director Tommy Courtner is scheduled to update council on the program at the November meeting.

In other business, the council:

* Discussed the Harvest Festival that is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whitnel Pentecostal Church.

* Approved the first contractor payment request for the Fairway Acres sewer project for $84,007.83.

* Moved the November council meeting to Monday, Nov. 16 due to election voting on the regular meeting night.

* Received a recycling report that shows participation averaged 66 percent in the summer months. Town Manager Connie South said she has received numerous calls about North Carolina's new landfill ban on most plastic containers. She encouraged residents to participate in the town's recycling program. For questions about obtaining a recycling bin, residents can call Cajah's Mountain Town Hall at (828) 728-5053.