OCEAN PINES—Two
properties along Cathell Road were added Tuesday to the Pines Plaza Commercial
Sanitary Service Area, which the Worcester County Commissioners formally
created that day so businesses there can have public water and sewer services.

“I’m asking to be
included,” said Debbie Hileman, owner of property on Cathell Road. “I
definitely want water and sewer.”

Rick Holland also
asked for public water and sewer for The Adkins Co. on the same road.

Both properties
had been included in the initial phase, but were not included in a later list
of properties to get the public service.

On Oct. 1, the
commissioners awarded the contract for the work to construct water and sewer
lines to A.P. Croll & Son of Georgetown, Del. In addition to Croll’s price
of $415,569, the cost of the project includes $35,000 for engineering, $18,000
for administrative expenses and $41,431 for construction contingency expenses
for the original total of $510,000.

Tuesday’s
addition of the two properties increases the project’s cost from $510,000 to
approximately $580,000.

Funds for the
project will come from the county’s general fund. Reimbursement will be made as
the customers connect.

The project began
because of failing septic systems in the area.

“We continue to
experience septic failures,” Environmental Programs Director Bob Mitchell told
the commissioners.

“Property owners
have been waiting on this forever,” said Mark Cropper, an attorney representing
some area property owners.

Completion of the
project to extend water and sewer lines would be a benefit and “anything you
can do to expedite the process is very much appreciated,” he said.

Commissioner Judy
Boggs, who represents Ocean Pines, is looking forward to improvements at the
Pines Plaza, which has a number of vacant storefronts.

“This area was
supposed to be a great town center,” she said.