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13 <br /> a) Other opportunities/issues between Orange County and Hillsborough <br /> (Fiber Cable Infrastructure*) <br /> b) Engagement with other towns <br /> c) Engagement with Orange County Schools <br /> Mayor Stevens said many of these items have already been covered, with the <br /> exception of the fiber cable infrastructure. <br /> Mayor Stevens said Hillsborough has received a report and is interested in pooling <br /> resources and sharing any costs where possible. <br /> Chair Dorosin said this is an area where there can be collaboration with the schools. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is looking <br /> to improve the line with Hillsborough so that it can be more readily available than the Durham <br /> line. <br /> Eric Peterson said he and Ed Kerwin, OWASA Director, have had some conversations <br /> about the 7-mile water line between the two, and he said some improvements are being made <br /> to cut it down to 3 or 4 miles. He said the delay is from the bacteria tests, and there is the <br /> same challenge with Durham. He said ways to cut that reaction time down are being <br /> researched. He said Hillsborough is very isolated, and that is why water and sewer are <br /> expensive. He said water gets stagnant, and to flush it all the time would be wasteful, but <br /> there are some ideas on how to cut that down. <br /> Commissioner McKee said a few years ago there was a discussion of Jordan Lake <br /> allocation, and asked if the process, through which Hillsborough would have to go to <br /> accomplish this, could be identified. <br /> Eric Peterson said if Jordan Lake water were to be used, it would be fed through <br /> OWASA or Durham's system through interconnections. He said there is also an <br /> interconnection with Orange-Alamance, which may be much faster in case of an emergency. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he was more interested in water for economic development, <br /> not emergencies. <br /> Mayor Stevens said Hillsborough uses the water from Lake Orange for the Town's <br /> drinking water, and this is a valued relationship. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that use is driving the conversation on the hydrilla, which is <br /> an increasing problem. <br /> Commissioner Price said Compton's Pond has hydrilla too. She said the State will not <br /> give funding for moving water. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that pond was treated last year. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said prior to the recession, the Town generously provided <br /> $5,000.00 annually towards the Orange County Library, but has not done so since. He asked <br /> if the Town would consider doing this again. <br /> Eric Peterson said it is not in the Town's budget, and that would be a board decision. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if Eric Peterson would talk to the County Manager, if the <br /> Town decides it does want to contribute again. <br /> Mayor Stevens said the Town can discuss this topic at its upcoming retreat. <br /> Bonnie Hammersley said a tax equity study is being conducted in the jurisdictions and <br /> the County. She said one of the areas is the library and the services provided. She said she <br /> and Eric Peterson have not talked about this, as the study was not yet completed. <br /> The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m. <br /> Mark Dorosin, Chair <br />