The Mathews Board of Supervisors, meeting on Tuesday, June 26, approved three measures brought before it by the county’s planning and zoning department.

Planning and zoning director John Shaw told the board that Joe and Lynne Davenport, owners of Lynne’s Restaurant at Ward’s Corner, had requested that a private property owner be allowed to enter into a cost-share arrangement with them to hook into the HRSD sewer system.

Shaw explained that in 2010 the board had adopted a resolution allowing the restaurant to connect to the sewer line upon the line’s completion because of ongoing problems with the restaurant’s onsite septic system. Now the Hubbard family, which owns the adjoining property, is having septic problems and would like to share the connection, which would also help defray the cost.

In recommending approval, supervisor O.J. Cole said he thought it was "a marvelous idea." Supervisor Neena Putt said that, while she didn’t have a problem with the specific request, granting it would raise the question of other property that doesn’t perk.

"We need to be sure where we’re going and how far we’re going," she said. "And we need to be fair because there are going to be other properties."

She mentioned the nearby storage units and said the board shouldn’t rush into a decision. However, Supervisor Charles Ingram said that HRSD wasn’t available when the storage units asked that the sanitary district be extended, and he said he thought they should all be allowed to connect to the system.

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