A review by an outside firm has just determined that the costs of an upcoming water project has increased by $700,000. During last weeks meeting of the Boone County Commission, Terry Martin, of the regional intergovernmental council announced that cost figures for the Morrisvale/Cameo water project had changed.

Martin announced that engineers from Potesta & Associates determined that the cost estimates for that project were inadequate. Originally, officials believed the project could be completed for $3.1 million. After a recent meeting with Potesta, Martin now believes it will cost $3.8 million. These costs will be shared with the Lincoln County Commission because many of the homes in this project are located in Lincoln County. He believes that over 100 families will be served at completion of the project.

In other water news, Martin announced that income surveys from residents of the Mud River area are currently being completed and both the Boone PSD and other officials believe that 60% of residents of that area will connect to the water service. He also told commissioners that plans are underway to hold a public hearing on the Mud River project to determine if more citizens in the area are now interested in hooking up.

Commissioner Mickey Brown helped pass a motion at last-weeks meeting to pay three invoices to Chonjacki Construction as well as Potesta & Associates in the amount of $291,564.48. These invoices for work done in connection with the Route 5/Prenter Phase I water line extension.

Commissioners also approved payment of a $900.00 invoice to Potesta for design work on the Joe’s Creek project.

A pair of invoices from Ferguson Supply totaling $12,223.80 were paid by commissioners last week. The invoices were earmarked to pay for materials needed in the Long Branch waterline project.

Commissioner Mickey Brown was successful in his attempt to bestow a grant on the Boone County Public Service District for an upcoming project. A check for $40 thousand is to be used to pay an invoice to American Building Systems, Inc. for the Pond Fork Waste Water Project.

A group of concerned Whitesville area residents came to last weeks meeting to point out the deteriorating condition of the Boone Raleigh PSD building. Manuel Arvon and other PSD members showed commissioners photos of the dilapidated structure and asked commissioners for financial assistance to repair it. The commissioners gave the PSD a grant for $22,500 to help alleviate the condition of the building.

At press time, commissioners planned to discuss a proposal to turn over the former Madison City Hall Building to Rev-Up Madison. The familiar white building, located across from the West Virginia Coal Museum, was at one time a location of the Boone County Jail.

Until recently the building was property of the Boone County Historical Society, but for several reasons, the society was unable to move forward with plans to turn it into a museum. Rev-Up has expressed interest in placing the building into the National Registry of Historic Places and turning it into the Madison Museum. During this week’s meeting, it is likely that officials will decide the disposition of the building.

Later in the meeting, commissioners approved a grant to the Madison Little League for $3 thousand. The funds will be used to repair the leaking roof of the press box and concession area.