Refurbishing Sewer Lines……Lining Old Pipes Can Save Millions In The End

in 2005, the estimated cost or replacing existing sewer lines in disrepair throughout the city was 50 million dollars…….plus be a heck of a mess on our streets, sidewalks, etc.  The estimated cost of lining the same sewer lines was 12 million dollars…….no mess at all.

Sometime in the past several years, you may have heard or read that the City of Sanford was reconditioning sections of sewer lines in certain section of our city. East Sanford and the historic areas in particular. Most of these lines are very old and have breaks or cracks that allow ground water to infiltrate the sewer system, or sewer to possibly leak into the ground.  The rain or ground water that infiltrates the sewer line is just more liquid the city has to treat at the sewer plant and more cost to sewer customers. 

The city has spent millions of dollars in the past several years refurbishing these sewer lines.  This is done with a lining process referred to by some as ”cured in place.” 

Simply speaking….This process blows a tube, (like a long tube sock) into a section on pipe that requires lining.  Hot liquid is then pumped through the liner causing the material, a form of epoxy, to expand.  With the liquid removed, the material hardens. Next a robot is maneuvered through the new pipe cutting a tap out at each residence allowing the flow from each household to resume. 

I’m sure I have left out a few steps in this procedure.  Hopefully, you get the basic idea of how this pipe lining is preformed.

This process can be preformed on almost any sized water or sewer line and is much more cost effective.  The life expectancy of this material is 30 to 50 years….depending on who you speak to about the product.  In either case, this is a great alternative to digging and replacing lines and cost a fraction of the price.

If you have any questions regarding this issue please call City Manager Hal Hegwerat 919-775-8201.

No…She Doesn’t “Got Milk”

If you’ve ever noticed the beautiful flowers on the street corners in downtown Sanford, you may have noticed the milk jug lady.  This is of course our own Helen Hnks.

Helen has been a devoted member of Downtown Sanford Incorporated (DSI) since the mid 1990′s.  Although she does not own property or a business in downtown, she still feels that being a part of DSI and helping our downtown grow is very important.  When ever there’s a project that needs volunteers….. you’ll find Helen.

The flowers on the corners downtown have always been a challenge for DSI to maintain.  Working on a limited budget DSI needed volunteers to help with this project. The job of “flower keeper” in downtown was filled by none other than guess who……….that’s right, Helen Hinks.

If you happen to see Helen carrying her milk jugs filled with water on the streets downtown, please thank her for ALL she does for our city.  I for one can’t think of anyone that helps out more and is always there.

Thank you Helen….very much!

If you would like to volunteer to help with any project in downtown Sanford please call DSI Director David Montgomery at 919-775-8332.

DOT Sign Crews….. Reaction Time Slow In Sanford

Street signs in our city need some attention.  There are leaning signs, faded signs, over grown signs, and worse of all damaged signs. 

The City of Sanford street crew replaces and maintains any sign located on a city maintained street.  This includes speed limit signs, stop signs, and street markers.  The city crews have done a good job maintaining the signage on city streets.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the state DOT sign crew.  Signs on state maintained roads and leaning, twisted, faded, over grown and damaged.  Many request have been turned into the state for sign maintenance and repair.  Although some request are honored……many go for a great deal of time before action is taken, if at all.

In the first picture above a highway information sign was damaged during an accident on Carthage Street.  Although this has been reported to DOT several times, the sign is still on the side of the road almost a year later.

The second picture shows a damaged speed limit sign located on Carbonton Road.  When reported to DOT the sign was simply removed, not replaced. 

The third sign is an adopt a highway sign and was damaged last week on Wilkins Drive.  This sign has been reported and awaiting action. 

It makes a person wonder why these signs were there at all if it’s not worth replacing. It also gives the appearance that the city does a poor job of maintaining their signage.  This is simply not the case.  It is truly the states responsibility. 

If you have any sign issue in your neighborhood or onany street located inside the city limits, please call -Street Superintendant Magna Holloway at 919-775-8326 or Steve Brewer at 919-770-9587.  State sign of city sign, we’ll be glad contact the proper department for you.

Misinformation…….Not Good for Our Community

The following is a letter to the editor in response to the editorial in Friday’s Sanford Herald. 

NOTE: The original letter was edited and title changed by the Herald. The edited version ran in the Tuesday, October 21st paper. This paragraph was added to this blog after reading the edited version in Tuesdays paper.

Letter to the Editor.

Factual Information Important!

Factual information is very important.  Many residents of Sanford and Lee County believe the information in the Herald is the truth.

Your October 17^th editorial concerning public comments stated,”Representation implies a voice. With this change, the commissioners would be following in the footsteps of the City of Sanford in waiting until the credits roll on the sometimes very lengthy meetings before giving residents a chance to speak. In other words, if there’s something on the agenda a member of the public wishes to address before a vote, it’ll require some foreknowledge of future agendas. No longer will we be able address the board about an issue at the same meeting during which that board will vote on that issue.”

This statement is incorrect.  A situation arose at a council meeting where a vote was taken on an issue before several citizens had the opportunity to speak to that issue. The City Council recognized a problem with the public comment policy and moved the comment period to the beginning of the meeting.  This allowed citizens to address the council before the regular agenda. The city council also made public comment available twice a month instead of just once. The comment period is at the beginning of each regular meeting.

Comments from our citizens and their points of view are an important part of the political process.  Council members are contacted many different ways by citizens to discuss a variety of issues. Public comment is just one of the many lines of communication used by our citizens.

Steve Brewer

 

This issue was also mentioned on this blog concerning an earlier non-factual editorial that ran on August 28^th, 2008.   The following is an excerpt from the editorial and blog. (You can find complete article under Meetings, Agendas, etc., in the Policy and Procedure caragory of this blog.)

From the Herald- It means John Doe doesn’t have time to fill out the proper paperwork to be able to speak at the council meet­ings.

Blog Answer- Anyone can sign up to speak at a council meeting. The law requires it be allowed once a month. The city allows it at every regular meeting. It is a good idea. Citizens can sign up with the city clerk 15 minutes before the meeting.  All anyone needs is their name and address.  This shouldn’t take too long, even if they print.  They will speak before the council begins the regular agenda.

This information was also covered by the Herald at the meeting when the change in policy was discussed and passed unanimously. 

The Sanford and Lee County area needs a good newspaper. It is important to our citizens that our newspaper report facts correctly.  Everyone has a right to form an opinion on those facts, and discuss them in public forums, editorials, etc.  It is very important that the facts be presented correctly.  After all……..many residents believe the information in the Heraldis the truth.

The 2nd Century Project…..A Good Night….A Good Idea….The Next Step

The 2^nd Century unveiling event on Thursday, October 2^nd, was a great event.  There are many individuals that worked very hard in the research and development of this branding and promotion project.  Thank all of you for your hard work and contributions.

Special thanks should be given to Four Oaks Bank and their board members for their tremendous contribution. Four Oaks sponsored the entertainment and food for the event in Depot Park. The Band of Oz was great and the hot dogs hit the spot.  Thanks again Four Oaks.

I’ve had many people ask me how I felt about the 2^nd Century project.  How the city would participate in the project in the future?  Finally, would there be any public funding for such a project?

I believe the 2^nd Century project is the next step for our community in choosing how we would like community to appear, grow, and prosper in the future.  This begins by getting many groups and organizations “on the same page.” 

Many ideas the group has discussed are, and have been, in motion.  For example, the city and county has a land use plan.  A very well thought out land use plan.  Certain aspects of this plan continue to evolve, but there is a plan.

 The city is actively working on an up-to-date streetscape plan.  Downtown Sanford has had several revised versions in past years, however the current in-work plan will include much more than just downtown. This design plan and study were part of the 2008/2009 city budget. 

Gateway improvements are in the works too.  They were, for lack of terms, “put on hold” until the 2^nd Century project was officially launched.  This was done in anticipation of possible signage and logo changes, etc. 

I believe the city government and the citizens of Sanford will embrace this project together.  I cannot see how this project could be a success without all the governing body’s participation in some form or fashion.  If the city council chooses to participate in this project it will require some public funding.  

If you “buy in” to the 2^nd Century project… then you believe in the branding, logos, marketing concept, etc.  The branding process will take time. Some of the branding requirements would be new pole banners in downtown, license plates for government automobiles, logos for vehicles, sign changes for public buildings, logo changes for water towers, signage for gateways, etc. If this idea is embraced by the community, then the citizens have decided they do indeed want the brand and logo to represent their community. That being the case……. these items should be paid for with public funds.  This would be the public contribution to a private/public partnership.

The 2^nd Century group plans to fund the project for the first 2 years with private funding.  I applaud their efforts.  There are many marketing ideas and studies, etc. that will require funding.  I wish them great success.  This will take a great deal of time, hard work and money. In the end, I believe for 2^nd Century to succeed the city will have to be committed and that means with some funding……… at the very least committed to the community branding phase of this project.

If you have any questions regarding this issue please call Steve Brewer at 919-770-9587.

 

Tall Grass Along The Road Ways………Who Cuts What ……and When?

 

Have you ever driven past an area of our city and wondered why the grass was so tall, or why the city hasn’t mowed it?  If so, then you’re not alone. 

The city is responsible for all mowing along city streets and right of ways.  City crews have worked hard to mow on a more frequent basis. Compared to years past, I’d would have to say that the crews have done a pretty good job.  How much rain we receive is also a determining factor.  City buildings, Depot Park, sewer easements, green space owned by the city, flower beds, etc.  are all maintained by the city crews.  This also includes many of the flower beds along the highway bridges and underpasses of US Hwy 1 and Hwy 421.

The State Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for mowing state roads and highways.  DOT contracts this service out each year. The contractor mows road sides five times a year. This mowing begins in the spring and every 4 to 6 weeks the contractor is suppose to mow the required areas.  The first, third, and fourth mowing each year consist of just the road side areas.  The second and third mowing consist of the entire right of way owned by the state.  This means everything on both sides of the road, medians, etc.

In some areas the DOT scheduled mowing just does not seem to be frequent enough to keep our city looking as it should.  The city crews weed-eat around signs and flower beds. (the state does not weed-eat) Unfortunately, these flower beds and signs are usually surrounded by very tall grass.  This is not how the system is suppose to work.   I believe this schedule is proving itself to be an unacceptable answer to our mowing needs in certain areas inside the city limits.  

City staff is very aware of this problem. They are currently meeting with the state discusing how scheduling may be improved in these areas so they are cut more frequently. Several options are on the table. This problem should be solved before next years mowing season begins. 

How our city looks and is maintained is very important.  If there are areas that you believe need improvement in Sanford please call City Manager Hal Hegwer at 919-775-8201, Councilman Steve Brewer at 919-770-9587 or any council member.

Problems With Any City Service?……… Who Are You Going To Call?

A few months ago, I received a phone call from a city resident concerning trash pick-up in the neighborhood.  As I rode through the neighborhood on the way to this persons house, I discovered the problem wasn’t the trash pick-up…..it was the container let down. 

I phones Larry Craig at the city who alerted Waste Management there was a problem on that route.  It took about 15 minutes and there were Waste Management employees there picking up the cans and any debris that may have fallen on the ground.  They drove the entire neighborhood to make sure it was corrected. I was later informed that the problem with their driver and/or truck had been resolved.  Problem solved.

The point is this…..Sometimes things are not quite right for one reason or another. Unfortunately, that is the case.  How the city responds to the problems is what’s important.  If you have any problems with Waste Management or any city service, please call any council member, the city manager, or the specific department ( streets, water, etc.) that can help correct your problem.  Large, small…..or even very small, please let us know.  We are all here to fix any problems you may have if at all possible. 

All phone numbers are available on the city web sight.  www.sanfordnc.net  on the left hand side just click phone directory.

Steve Brewer 919-770-9587    City Manager Hal Hegwer 919-775-8201

Cable Problems In Sanford….Who Has Control?

 

It seems that every week I have a person speak to me concerning the local cable company.  Some questions are a little more complicated than others, but not very often. Most of the time, they are all basically the same.

The following questions are the ones that are asked the most.  

• Why doesn’t the City change cable companies?
• Why won’t you let some competition come to Sanford?
• Why is my bill so high compared to other towns?
• Why doesn’t the current company offer more?

The City has no control of the local cable company.  The cable company is a business that pays the City of Sanford for use of the city ”right of ways”.  The revenue from this is approximately $150,000. each year.  The cable company also allows the city to broadcast on their cable network, and supplies a cable “back bone” between certain government buildings for the city and the county. 

The cable contract is non-exclusive.  This means that any cable company to can do business in the Sanford market.  This is very unlikely, because the Sanford market is so small.  It would be cost prohibitive for a traditional cable company to start from scratch and provide cable service.  remember…the city does not own the cable lines through out the city.  The current cable company owns them. There has been a bit of speculation that our current cable company may be purchased by a larger company.  At this time, this is pure speculation.

There are approximately 9000 cable customers in Sanford and Lee County. Windstream (Dish Network), and satellite companies like Direct TV are the only alternatives currently available in this market.  The addition of Internet service and Internet phone service has made consumers take a closer look at “bundling” services and trying other options. The local phone company now offers Dish Network along with Internet service for example.

The monthly fees charged by each cable company after any “special offers,”  are almost the same.  Most offer a “bundle” option for six, or twelve months. When the special pricing expires, the pricing structure differs only slightly. You can visit other companies web sites and view their price structure, contract requirements, etc.  Many companies group different items together for different reasons. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

The services are where you can find the most difference. Some offer more basic channels, DVR, sports channels, newer equipment, and more.  Larger companies have more influence when negotiating with providers such as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, etc. It makes since that if you lived in a larger market, then you would get more bang for your buck.

It is a shame that our current cable company cannot offer more.  They are upgrading all the time.  The service is much, much, better than it was three or four years ago.  Signal reliabilityhas has improved greatly.   There is still some problems with the Internet from time to time, but it seems to be getting better.  I would suggest calling the cable company if you have any problems.  The on site response time is much quicker than I expected. 

Bottom line is that the city has no more control over the cable company than they have over Progress Energy, Windstream, Alltel, Direct TV, or PSNC Energy.  We have none! Depending on the situation, they may or may not pay for easements on right of ways.  As far as services offered, pricing, and quality……..they have complete control.

If you have any questions on this issue, please call City Manager Hal Hegwer at 919-775-8201, or Steve Brewer at 919-770-9587.