W’burg borrowing $300,000 to replace fire hydrants, install water valves

Work to install a couple of valves for the water line system and repair and replace of some fire hydrants in Williamsburg is expected to start in early April.

During a special called meeting early Tuesday evening, the Williamsburg City Council had the first reading of an ordinance to borrow $300,000 for updating and maintenance work of the water system in town.

In addition to the hydrant and valves work, Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said he is hoping to address the drainage issue in Bill Woods Park and fix any broken waterlines found as the other work is being done.

City maintenance crews will be doing much of the work themselves so the city can save money and get more bang for its buck, he noted.

Harrison said he wanted to do the work at this time because there is a construction crew in town working on repairs to the wastewater and sewer system.

If city maintenance workers run across any work they can’t complete, Harrison said he has already spoken with the construction crew, who should be able to complete it.

The council scheduled a special meeting for 3:30 p.m. Thursday when they will hold the second reading of the financing ordinance.

Harrison said that assuming the second reading of the ordinance is approved, he thinks he can get the city in the same bond pool with another city getting ready to borrow significantly more money than Williamsburg, which should reduce the interest rate the city pays for the bonds.

The selling of bonds is the government equivalent of a home mortgage for a private homeowner, and is used to finance most construction projects.