Robbinsville – Town officials are working out details for a plan to provide wireless internet services in the downtown area.
The grant-funded program was spearheaded by Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT), with Sylva-based BalsamWest installing the equipment and providing the services.
The Robbinsville Board of Aldermen is working out details so that the project complies with rules governing installation of third-party equipment on town-owned buildings and infrastructure. The town would have to provide electricity for equipment installed on town property, but the cost was estimated at less than $1 a month.
The plan was discussed at the board’s July 6 meeting and will be further discussed at later meetings. Any use of public property requires a resolution from the board and a public hearing, Town Attorney Ellen Davis said.
Other news and notes
* The Robbinsville Tourism Authority has been operating with an interim director since Karen Taylor resigned in February. Now the authority board has a vacancy with the resignation of Seth Mullinax, who left the board in June to devote more time to his family. Alderman Debbie Beasley, who also chairs the Robbinsville Tourism Authority board, has been serving as interim director, a position that pays $17.50 per hour. Beasley said she has been working about 15 hours a week. The authority board has delayed hiring a permanent director until it has revised a job description for the position. The Board of Aldermen discussed how Beasley should be paid for her work as interim director.
* “Home Town of Ronnie Milsap” signs will be installed at the four main gateways into town (Sweetwater Road, Tallulah Road, Tapoco Road and Snowbird Road) at a cost of $1,485. The signs include a full-color image of a younger Milsap along with the words, “Welcome to Robbinsville,” and “Home Town of Ronnie Milsap.”
* Rivers Edge Treehouse Resort owner Laila Mortimer was surprised to see her latest water bill – which is normally $150 – was $800. Town water technicians were unable to identify a cause, although Water Supervisor Chadd Carpenter said that even a pinhole leak in a water pipe or a constantly running toilet can result in thousands of gallons of water lost over time. The Board gave Mortimer credit for the overage, but cautioned her that another unusually-high water bill will be her responsibility.
* Town of Lake Santeetlah Mayor Connie Gross appeared before the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen, asking if her town could borrow or rent Robbinsville’s device used to detect underground water pipes. Gross said her town has been pricing the devices, which range in cost from $14,000 to $42,000 for a top-of-the-line model. She hopes her town can avoid that cost by using Robbinsville’s equipment. Robbinsville’s Board of Aldermen will look into the request and discuss it at the next meeting.