The Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 6 adopted a Water Shortage Event Plan designed to assure the state Department of Environmental Quality that the county Utilities Department will be able to supply water to users during abnormal conditions.

Manager-Attorney David Clegg told the commissioners that the Utilities Department can supply water for “longer than 7 days” without pumping, which he said has been done in the past during periods of equipment maintenance.

Clegg also submitted the county’s Water Resupply Plan showing the Utilities Department is performing tests and operating within the plan’s stipulations. This document was adopted and ordered forwarded to DEQ.

Clegg announced that NCDOT will soon close Goat Neck and Pledger Harbor roads to all traffic for the purpose of replacing a drainage culvert.

Clegg reported that, on the initiative of Commissioner Nina Griswell, he had been appointed to the governing board of the 26-county Trillium Health Resources service area. Clegg and Griswell currently represent Tyrrell County on Trillium’s Central Regional Advisory Board.

Clegg submitted a request for release or refund of taxes charged to eight property owners. He recommended relief for six, amounting to $2,885.84, and that two, amounting to $435, be denied. On motion of Commissioner Jordan Davis, the board ordered that Clegg’s recommendations be put into effect.

Following a 15-minute closed session, Clegg recommended that the commissioners (1) enter into an interlocal agreement between Tyrrell County and the Town of Creswell for wastewater treatment and disposal services and (2) agree to dismiss two lawsuits in Superior Court: Tyrrell County Water & Sewer District #2 and Tyrrell County vs. Town of Creswell, and Tyrrell County vs. Town of Creswell. The board agreed unanimously to both provisions.

The Town of Creswell treats and disposes of wastewater collected in Tyrrell’s sewer network west of Scuppernong River.