WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Public Notices

Recruiting neighborhood volunteers for CERT program

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County will host an informational session about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) on Jan. 14, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Hampstead Annex, 15060 US Hwy 17.

“The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager.

“CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks,” said Walter Makaryk, a CERT leader. “Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.”

Anyone interested in learning about CERT should attend the Jan. 14 meeting.

“CERT volunteers are extremely important,” said Makaryk. “They are the neighborhood responders who inform emergency services of downed trees and power lines. They check on their neighbors following a disaster. They are the conduit to retrieve assistance for their neighborhood.”

Read about the CERT program at www.ready.gov/cert.

For more information, watch our Pender County Emergency Management website or Facebook. If you have not signed up for the CodeRed alert system, register for free at https://pendercountync.gov/em/special-disaster-information/emergency-notification-system/ or call 910-259-1210 for details.

Maple Hill VFD receives improved ISO rating

BURGAW – This spring residents in the Maple Hill Fire District will find a savings on their home insurance, thanks to the work of the Maple Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the Pender County Fire Marshal, and the NC Department of Insurance.

“Maple Hill VFD has received a North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) Insurance Rating of a 5/9E,” said Tommy Batson, Pender County Fire Marshal. “The fire department along with other fire departments and other agencies were graded on a point scale in September for this final grade.”

Batson said the point system grading system includes 10 percent from Emergency Communications Center. Fire department makes up 50 percent of the points system. Water supply is 40 percent and Community Risk Reduction makes up the last 5.5 percent for a total of 105.5 points.

“The Maple Hill VFD has been a Class 9 and was the minimum rate fire protection class,” Batson said. “The Office of the State Fire Marshal comes in and reviews many different things in the different areas of the grading system. After a few months the final score from a Class 1 being the best to a Class 10 having no fire protection coverage is finalized.”

We’re pleased that homeowners in March 2020 will receive a savings when the new insurance rating will go into effect,” said George Brown, Chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “The fire insurance premium drop will be for all fire insurance policies that are within the five-mile district of the Maple Hill VFD.”

“Anyone living in the five to six-mile area will continue to receive a class 9 E ratings,” said Batson.

“This will substantially reduce insurance rates for homeowners and commercial businesses in the district. Anywhere from $150 to possibly $250 a year based upon the insurance company,” Lee Kennedy, a rating inspector for the North Carolina State Fire Marshal said.

“It was a combination between our department, Nine Mile, Pin Hook, Haws Run, Pender EMS & Fire, and Burgaw,” said Harold Motley, Maple Hill fire chief. “We did water shuttles, we trained together. We do these things to increase the amount of water we can bring to a fire and of course, the engines and the fire trucks and the manpower.”

Residents with questions regarding the ISO rating should contact their insurance carrier.

INVITATION FOR INFORMAL BIDS FOR A SERVICE CONTRACT FROM PENDER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW DISASTER RECOVERY DEBRIS REMOVAL

INVITATION FOR INFORMAL BIDS FOR A SERVICE CONTRACT FROM PENDER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR HURRICANE MATTHEW DISASTER RECOVERY DEBRIS REMOVAL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE PENDER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS SOLICITING CONTRACTORS AND PROFESSIONAL FIRMS TO PERFORM THE REMOVAL OF STREAM DEBRIS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN PENDER COUNTY. THIS BID PACKET IS CONSIDERED PENDER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. THIS PLANNED WORK AREAS ARE REFERENCED ON THE ATTACHED PROJECT MAPS. THERE WILL BE NO GROUP SITE SHOWING FOR THESE PROJECTS. THE CONTRACTORS BIDDING ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE A MANDATORY SITE VISIT TO THE AREAS TO DETERMINE THEIR BID PRICE AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A STATEMENT.

Please click HERE for the full Bid document and HERE for the Incremental Effects of Large Woody Debris Removal on Physical Aquatic Habitat document.

BidPacketPenderHurricaneMatthew

 

Incremental Effects of Large Woody Debris Removal on Physical Aquatic Habitat

Legislators Adjourn Without Taking Actions Required for Medicaid Managed Care; DHHS Suspends Implementation of Managed Care

On November 19, 2019, The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the suspension of Medicaid Managed Care that was scheduled to go live February 1, 2020 until further notice.

As a Medicaid beneficiary, nothing will change.  The beneficiary’s primary care provider (PCP) stays the same and access to behavioral health and I/DD services will continue through the current process.  The Medicaid Contact Center (888-245-0179) is available to address questions from beneficiaries and their families, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Medicaid beneficiaries will be notified via mail when Managed Care resumes.  If an individual’s Medicaid coverage period ends before Managed Care resumes, eligibility will go through the same yearly review and recertification process used today.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/medicaid-transformation

Low-Income Energy Assistance Available

Households in Pender County with a person aged 60 or more, or someone receiving disability and services from the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services may qualify for a one-time vender payment to help pay their heating bill during the cold winter season. Depending on the primary heating source, eligible households will receive $300, $400 or $500 toward their heating bill.

To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements and apply in person from December 2-31.
More information can be found here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/…/low-i…/low-income-energy-assistance

NOTICE: GIS Website Maintenance

Beginning at 5:00pm today, the Pender County GIS Website will be down for maintenance. This maintenance is expected to take 1 hour. If you have questions, please call 910-259-0129.

Unified Development Ordinance Office Hours

Pender County staff will be available to answer questions from the public regarding the update to the Unified Development Ordinance on Tuesday’s (Burgaw) and Thursday’s (Hampstead) beginning November 12th and running through January 9th.  The availability will be after normal business hours and will run from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm on each of the advertised days.  Exceptions to this schedule are as follows:  November 26 and 28; December 24, 26, and 31.

It is highly encouraged to schedule a meeting by calling (910) 259-1202, however, staff will accommodate walk-ins to the best of their ability.  Please note the locations set above:

 

Burgaw – 805 S. Walker Street

Hampstead – 15060 US HWY 17

NCDHHS: Lung Injury Cases Related to Vaping Increase; E-cigarette Use on the Rise

Lung Injury Cases Related to Vaping Increase; E-cigarette Use on the Rise

Raleigh

Oct 29, 2019

The number of North Carolina cases of severe lung injury associated with e-cigarette use or vaping continues to rise with 61 cases in people ranging in age from 13 to 72. The North Carolina cases are among a rising outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of 1,604 cases and 34 deaths in the United States and the US Virgin Islands as of Oct. 22. The acute lung injury cases have occurred in the context of a rapid rise of e-cigarette use by young people.

Lung injury cases are being reported in younger adults and teenagers. Approximately 79% of patients are under 35 years of age, 40% are 18-24, and 14% are younger than 18. All patients reported a history of using e-cigarette or vaping products, with most reporting a history of using THC-containing products. THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. Eighty percent of North Carolina cases interviewed reported vaping THC; 75% of North Carolina cases interviewed reported vaping flavors, 70% vaped nicotine, 50% vaped THC and nicotine, and 30% vaped CBD. No single product or source has been linked to all lung injury cases.

NCDHHS has joined the CDC’s efforts to urge people to consider not using e-cigarette or vaping products, especially e-cigarette or vaping products that contain THC.

“Those who use e-cigarettes or vaping products should not obtain them through informal sources and should not modify or add any substances,” said Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist.

The acute lung illness outbreak is occurring on top of rapidly rising rates of e-cigarette use among youth. The biennial 2017 North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey found that although cigarette smoking was the lowest ever recorded among high school students at 8.9%, e-cigarette use increased 894% since 2011. E-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in North Carolina and 9.6% of high schoolers report having vaped cannabis. This rate is expected to rise.

“This severe lung disease epidemic and the rise in youth use of e-cigarettes is deeply troubling,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for DHHS. “As a pediatrician, I know that nicotine can harm areas of the brain that influence attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Nicotine use at a young age can also rewire pathways in the brain, priming it for future addiction – to nicotine and other substances.” Dr. Tilson testified Opens in New Window Sept. 25 before a House Committee on Commerce and Energy on the topic.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Healthy Schools initiative have worked together to help implement 100% tobacco free schools policies, considering this new and challenging e-cigarette epidemic, and to increase awareness among youth of nicotine levels in e-cigarette products.

DPI and DPH also promote measures to help students, parents and staff recognize youth e-cigarette use as an addiction and to provide evidence-based prevention and tobacco treatment education and counseling, rather than to suspend students who are addicted to nicotine. CATCH My Breath is an evidence-based tobacco use prevention curriculum that addresses middle and high schoolers’ use of e-cigarettes. The curriculum is available free of charge to NC schools. Fifty-six schools in NC have implemented this curriculum serving more than 17,000 students since 2017, and demand is growing.

Another resource, the Truth Initiative, serves as a further resource and has expanded its quit-smoking resources to include a first-of-its kind e-cigarette quit program. To access TRUTH’s new e-cigarette quit program, users can text “DITCHJUUL” to 88709. QuitlineNC Opens in New Window (1-800-QuitNow or 1-800-784-8669) is also available 24/7 with online, text and telephone programs to help young people addicted to any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.

New clinical guidance for managing acute lung injury Opens in New Window from the CDC and NCDHHS also urges people to receive a flu shot to protect against a combination of the flu and lung injury from vaping. NCDHHS will continue to monitor this outbreak and report any new information weekly at www.tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov/ecigs.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/lung-injury-cases-related-vaping-increase-e-cigarette-use-rise

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) – Engineering Services for Well Sites and Waterline

GENERAL

The Rocky Point/Topsail Water & Sewer District (RPTWSD) and Pender County Utilities (PCU) are seeking an engineering firm experienced with drinking water well design and water infrastructure. The engineering firm will provide design, permitting and construction administration/construction observation of drinking water well infrastructure and related water infrastructure utilities associated with the creation of up to three (3) water supply wells planned for the Hampstead area in Eastern Pender County. RPTWSD will be working with a contract hydrogeologist for test well installation, pump test and wellfield design. The successful engineering professional services firm will work with RPTWSD’s contract hydrogeologist and design a well, wellhead, and associated piping to connect the new well to the existing water system. Proposed well sites have received preliminary approval from the DEQ Wilmington Regional Office.
Water design experience shall include Pee Dee aquifer well and wellhead design. Water main design and permitting also required. Prompt delivery and demonstrated accuracy on project cost estimates by the project team are important factors in selection. This project has a very aggressive fast-track schedule, and thus the consultant shall have personnel and resources available to meet that schedule.

SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT

Firms are invited to submit a Qualifications Statement to the RPTWSD by no later than 3:00 PM on October 25, 2019. Qualifications received after this deadline will not be considered. Firms shall submit an electronic proposal as specified in the RFQ. Firms submitting Qualifications are encouraged to carefully check them for conformance to the requirements stated herein. Qualifications that do not meet ALL of the below listed requirements or are sent to any address other than that shown below, will be disqualified. No exception will be granted. Statements of Qualifications shall be submitted to:

Kenny Keel, Director
Pender County Utilities / RPTWSD
kkeel@pendercountync.gov

EVALUATION

Firms submitting Qualifications to perform drinking water well design and related water infrastructure will be evaluated based upon the firm’s experience, proposed personnel experience, personnel knowledge and familiarity with projects in the typical scope of work. In addition, knowledge of and experience in well design in the Pee Dee aquifer will be a significant consideration. This scope is defined in the General section of this Request for Qualifications, and submittal shall show previous project experience and references. Subs associated with electrical, SCADA or other design must be listed in the Statement of Qualifications.
Additional criteria that may be used to select an engineer may include:

  1. Experience working with Hydrogeologists for well design, construction, performance, and data interpretation.
  2. Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on-time within a tight schedule, and commitment to meet the project schedule.
  3. Knowledge of well water treatment requirements (understanding the current drinking water source [surface water treated at PCU Water Plant] and potential issues with blending with new well sources).
  4. Knowledge of SCADA/Controls (integration of wells and associated controls into the existing RPTWSD system). Distribution system currently uses Mission Communications system.
  5. The engineering firm should have electrical and mechanical capabilities for ancillary design components associated with wells or will list the specific subs that will be used as well as their firm’s experience, proposed personnel experience, personnel knowledge and familiarity with projects in the typical scope of work
  6. Water pipeline modeling for the design of water transmission mains, proven history of pipeline designed, sizing, and routing. Water main design should be limited to short runs to connect the wells to the existing distribution system, as all sites are within a few hundred feet of existing water mains.
  7. Local regulatory experience.

SCHEDULE

  1. Anticipated Notice to Proceed by November 19, 2019.
  2. New production wells, wellheads, and waterlines shall have preliminary design within 45 days of Notice to Proceed.
  3. Project shall have all permits within 105 days of Notice to Proceed. Construction bidding will be concurrent with permit approvals. Emergency permitting consideration by NCDEQ is anticipated.
  4. Construction contracts planned for two phases:
    1. Well installation
    2. Wellhead and Water Main construction
  1. Construction substantial completion and operation of first well by May 1, 2020.
  2. Construction substantial completion and operation of second well by May 22, 2020.
  3. Construction substantial completion and operation of third well (if a third is constructed) by June 26, 2020.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifying Statements shall include:

  1. Firm name, address, telephone number, fax number, email address, web address, and contact person(s)
  2. Year in which the firm was established and any former names under which the firm operated.
  3. Qualifications and experience of personnel who would be performing design services for the project(s) by providing:
    1. A list of design projects demonstrating experience/understanding of the experience described in the General section above. Project information shall include:
      1. a summary of the scope of work and deliverables,
      2. the owner of the project, and
      3. the name, number and email of a reference for the project.
  1. SOQ submittal is limited to 15 printed pages maximum, including cover sheet.

The following criteria will be deemed necessary for selection:

  • The firm must meet the following insurance requirements.
    • General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate. RPTWSD must be additional insured
    • Workers Compensation $500,000/$500,000/$500,000
    • Auto Liability Insurance $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limits applicable to claims due to bodily injury and/or property damage
    • Professional Liability not less than $1,000,000 per loss.
  • Any firm wishing to be considered must be properly registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of NC and the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors.

NOTIFICATION

The selected firm will be notified by telephone and/or email.
The RPTWSD reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.
Any questions concerning this advertisement should be directed to Kenny Keel, Director, Pender County Utilities, at kkeel@pendercountync.gov or (910) 259-0212 by October 23, 2019 at 2:00pm.

Please see the PDF below for the original document or click here for a printable version.

RFQ_EngineerConsultant_HampsteadWells
Translate »