Cumberland County commissioners OK first step in septic system repair

By Gregory Phillips Staff writer

Initial steps were taken Monday night, despite objections from residents, toward seeking money to install sewer in a rural neighborhood north of Spring Lake.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to create a Bragg Estates Water and Sewer District.

The action was the first step in what is likely to be a lengthy effort to secure grants and loans from the state to install a public sewer system in the neighborhood of about 170 homes.

Commissioners emphasized the vote doesn't guarantee a system will be built.

"We're not saying to anybody ... that it would cost them any money at this point in time," Commissioner Kenneth Edge said.

Bragg Estates has seven homes with irreparable septic systems and others that have drainage problems.

"This is going to be a large problem because more and more houses are going to fail," said Daniel Ortiz, the county's environmental health director.

Frances Melree Tart's late husband built the subdivision.

She said Monday the building stopped because of the soil problems, and that installing sewer would allow more of the property to be developed.

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Cumberland County commissioners OK first step in septic system repair