WINFIELD - Putnam County commissioners plan to apply again for a $1.9 million grant for a water extension in the northwestern part of the county.
The Manila Ridge water extension project would provide water for 54 homes. Putnam officials have applied for the Small Cities Block Grant funding from the state for the previous six years, and have been repeatedly rejected.
Terry Martin, a project coordinator with the Regional Governmental Council, believes the rejections aren't because of any problems with the project.
"The reason for not getting funded is that you qualify but there are projects that come in that are more severe than Putnam County," Martin said during a public hearing on the project Tuesday.
He also believes state officials assume that since Putnam County is wealthier than many areas of the state, officials assume Manila Ridge may not need the water.
Many residents of the area are retired, and some have begun to give up hope on the extension project. They say wealthier, more populated communities get more attention than them.
Debby Casto, a resident of the area, said her husband hauls water from Buffalo for their family.
She said the road isn't maintained well, occasionally causing car accidents while people try to haul water. She said it's a necessity for the people who live in the area, and their livestock.
She said she's had issues with Buffalo's water meter as well.
"We have high-speed internet now but we don't have city water," Casto said. "That's just ridiculous in this day and age."
Also Tuesday, commissioners heard what will be needed to keep visitors to the wave poll at Valley Park safe this summer.
The pool, which remained closed last summer, is scheduled to be open this summer and county officials want to make sure children can't get into the construction zone as renovations at the park continue.
"We want to make sure all construction parameters are zoned off with proper signage, proper fencing so that way nobody gets hurt," said Jarrod Dean, Putnam County's parks director.
It would cost about $142,000 for a temporary parking lot and sidewalk to the pool, and a safety director certified by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to Elisha Barnes, a project manager for Wolf Creek Contracting, which is completing the first phase of the park improvement project.
Also, a temporary bathhouse for the wave pool when the old one is demolished would cost $250,000, Barnes said.
Commissioners have until April 11 to decide whether to pursue the additional work.
Reach Ali Schmitz at ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.