Optimism in face of objection

Despite an unfavorable response after a public hearing on the county’s public-private sewer and water system proposal, the project’s manager and spokesman said he’s confident the company can resolve concerns about the project and complete it successfully, if the county decides to accept it.

Only one out of the 18 people who addressed six members Culpeper County Board of Supervisors at Thursday night’s public hearing spoke in support of the unsolicited proposal from Culpeper Utility Partners. Jefferson District Supervisor Brad Rosenberger was absent.

The meeting room was filled to capacity as about 70 people listened to about 45 minutes of comments.

Each person who spoke in opposition received applause, but the room was noticeably silent after Dianna Sheesley spoke in support of the plan.

“Without industry and business, I’m not sure how the town and the county can grow,” said Sheesley, who identified herself as an experienced civil engineer.

Building the infrastructure to entice and retain businesses has been a central theme in the CUP project which is being led by Steve Vento and Warrenton-based Angler.

The project’s estimated cost, which exceeds $100 million, would include about 5 linear miles of pipe, two 1 million gallon water tanks, wells and a 2.5 million gallon wastewater treatment plant.

Over the past several months, questions have arisen about the project’s financing and how much liability residents and the county would bear if the anticipated growth doesn’t materialize. Some of the supervisors and residents have also expressed concern about two Culpeper area Angler-managed projects that recently went into bankruptcy.

“I believe this is a step in the wrong direction,” Stevensburg area resident Danielle Aylor told the Supervisors. “I don’t see how this proposal helps the average Culpeper citizen.”

“The others are too eloquent,” said Chip Russell, the last person to address the board before the hearing was adjourned. “Wrong plan, wrong partner, wrong deal.” Vento however, disagreed.

“We do think it’s the right plan, we have the right partners,” said Vento. He added that he and other members of CUP would make themselves available to meet individually with people who wanted their concerns addressed further or the project explained in more detail.

West Fairfax Supervisor Steve Nixon said he didn’t expect a favorable response but noted that the board is working with all the same information the public now has.

“Everything we’ve gotten to date, we’ve made public,” Nixon said. “They need to trust that we will do the research.”.

After thanking everyone for maintaining a respectful atmosphere at the meeting, Board Chairman and Stevensburg District Supervisor Bill Chase, said that the Supervisors are ready and willing to listen.

“We’ll be back on this issue,” he said.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .