SOPCHOPPY LOOKS AT SYSTEM UPGRADES

The water system identifies two potential well locations in Crawfordville

By LEGION TAYLOR Report

The Sopchoppy city commission discussed the success of the recent Fourth of July Celebration as well as plans to update the city’s water system.
Much of the meeting on Monday, July 10th was spent discussing plans to make changes to the existing network of wells that provide water to much of the county.
The city commission is looking to update well one in Sopchoppy itself, in order to produce more water – up to 1,000 gallons per minute, it was reported at the meeting.
Two new locations for wells have been identified: one on Rock Hole Road near Crawfordville Elementary and the new bus garage off Arran Road; and another near Forbes Farm on Council-Moore Road.
The city commission is also also looking to update the water main so that more water can easily flow through it, but concerns about the expansion of U.S. Highway 319 have made those responsible for its planning unsure. It was decided later on that the highway expansion would take so long to get to Sopchoppy that the water pipes could be updated just fine.
The only thing that is delaying the construction of the new pipes and wells is the acquisition of the land required to build them, but they are looking into making deals with the property owners where they’re considering putting wells. The entire water project should be done in three years if everything goes smoothly.
Other matters discussed at the meeting included:
• A short video put together by representatives from Visit Wakulla to celebrate the great success of Sopchoppy’s Fourth of July celebration. Afterwards they stated that using cell phones they could get almost exact numbers on who was coming to the celebrations, to better gauge where visitors are coming from.
• The Sopchoppy Depot has rebuilt the wooden decks around the building, as they had been deemed unsafe.
• The senior citizen thrift store in Sopchoppy requested permission to build a new shed to keep donated items, as they keep having people break in and steal items. The senior citizens council requested permission from the city to lay a concrete foundation for a new shed, which was approved.
• City commissioners discussed a school supply drive on July 29 in Sopchoppy, where backpacks full of school supplies are to be handed out to those in need.
• A food truck requested permission to set up at the trail head at the old Mom’s Restaurant location, but city commissioners wanted a use agreement before setting up. The city commission also discussed making all food trucks sign similar use agreements if they wish to set up on public property.
• A discussion was had about reinforcing Surf Road to prevent it from washing out during storms, though no formal plan for doing that was brought forward.
• The safety of the boardwalk in the Myron B. Hodge City Park was brought up, but then dismissed, saying it was sturdy enough to last for a while longer, but should eventually be evaluated and replaced.