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FROM THE DESK OF THE LAGRANGE MAYOR:

The Troup County School System recently announced that they plan to construct a new Rosemont Elementary School; a project that is included in the March E-SPLOST referendum. 

A new elementary school in the Rosemont community has been needed for years, and I am pleased that the school system is moving forward on this project.

There are many issues at the current Rosemont building that will be addressed with the project, and one of the problems is lack of municipal water to the school. 

Providing clean drinking water to the children in our public schools is a necessity.

The City of LaGrange is the primary municipal water provider in the county, and we have the capacity to expand our system.  We cannot, however, provide water outside the city limits of LaGrange except by agreement with the Troup County Board of Commissioners.

Running water lines is an expensive proposition.  Not only does the line have to be built, which requires trenching and piping and permitting; but also the line will have to cross roads and creeks, which requires boring and additional permitting, and the tanks and water system have to be such that pressure can be maintained in the line.

Rosemont  is several miles from existing water lines, and the cost to run this water line will be approximately two million dollars.   

The water line will have many additional benefits beyond just water to Rosemont school, which is why the city of LaGrange, Troup County, and the Troup County School Board have agreed to share in the cost of the project.

For example, the water line will increase fire protection for all residents and businesses near the line’s path.  

With the installation of the water line, we will be able to add hydrants along the path.  

Troup County will be ensuring clean water for hundreds of elementary students but also enhancing fire protection for residents nearby.

In addition, the availability of municipal water will make future development much easier and more cost effective in that area.  

As LaGrange and Troup County grow, we need high-quality infrastructure in place to support growth. 

This water line extension is a worthwhile project, but to make it happen requires the collaboration of the City of LaGrange, the Troup County School System, and the Troup County Board of Commissioners.  

I am very pleased to say that once again those three entities have demonstrated their ability to work together and in partnership to make good things happen for the people of our community.

Even though the City of LaGrange has no role in managing the schools, everyone recognizes that public schools are critical to our community’s future.  

The new Rosemont Elementary School will be another step in improving and sustaining our public schools.  

I’m pleased that the city is able to help.