Moreland approves well for garden project
By W. WINSTON SKINNERwinston@newnan.com
The Moreland Town Council has approved a well for the God’s Little Acre garden area.
God’s Little Acre features a community garden and is on property purchased by the town. Part of the land was used for the cemetery, and the rest is slated for use as a park. Placement of a small antebellum house and a barn to display historic farm implements is planned, and the Erskine Caldwell Birthplace now on the town square may be moved to the site, as well.
At their monthly meeting Tuesday at the Town Hall at the Moreland Mill, the council approved a $5,000 bid from Georgia Wel — subject to the availability of electricity at the site.
Carol Chancey of Reel Southern Adventure is working with the town and the non-profit Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance to promote tourism in town. Chancey and MCAA are coordinating the God’s Little Acre project.
Chancey obtained three bids for well drilling. The bids from Georgia Well and Askew Well were both for $5,000. Dixie Well submitted a bid based on the feet drilled.
Chancey said a fixed price is unusual today. “Most companies are not doing that anymore,” she said.
Chancey said getting county water would cost up to $2,500 for the meter and about $1,500 for piping.
“There are good things about the well,” Councilman Dick Ford said. Buying water from the county “could get really expensive in a hurry,” he said.
He said that if a well proves not to work at the site, public water could still be an option.
Ford made a motion to accept the Georgia Well bid with Carmen Brown seconding. It was agreed to pay for the project from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds earmarked for recreation.
Mayor Josh Evans asked if the well constituted a legitimate use of SPLOST dollars. “It’s part of the development of our park down there,” Town Attorney Mark Mitchell stated.
Chancey said drilling would be done at “the shallowest spot right at the edge of the garden.” She said all three companies indicated that spot would probably be a good one to reach water as quickly as possible.
Chancey thanked the council for approving the well. She also thanked Burgess for hauling donated fertilizer to the garden site and local resident Charles Carmical for cutting the grass there.
With regard to the fertilizer, she said, “We’re going to spread it as soon as the weather dries.”
