Easements added for water project

JACKSON, Mo. -- A process that began 14 months ago ended Monday night when the city of Jackson accepted the final easements for a water line project aimed at increasing flows and pressure in the southern part of the city.

Along the way, the acquisition of easements for the project was opposed by some farmers and others whose land the water line will cross. The 10-inch water line will run outside the city limits from the intersection of Highway PP and County Road 330 east to Highway 25.

Most of the two miles of easements were acquired easily or were donated, city officials said, but some property owners objected to having a water line run across their property. They maintained the line would damage their land and resisted coming to an agreement. The city has the right to condemn property within 10 miles of its limits.

The city paid a total of $31,000 for the final two easement deeds, one acquired from Michael and Debra Bock and the other from Karen and Shannon McCullough, Kathleen Goodson and Kristi and Tony Watson. The amounts were higher than those paid for comparable easements.

$500,000 project

City administrator Jim Roach said the city wanted to get the project going and to stay out of court. "What's it take to get this settled to avoid litigation costs?" he said.

Once the project is put out for bids, construction could start in April and finish by June, Roach said.

It will be the last of four sections that will provide the city with a southern loop. The $500,000 cost of the entire project was approved by the voters in a 1997 bond issue.

Residents in the southern part of the city should notice a big difference in water pressure in June, Roach added.

"It has been a long haul," he said. "I hope we can put this behind us and that we and the property owners can get along. There are no hard feelings. It was a difference of opinion."

sblackwell@semissourian.com335-6611, extension 182