Monticello — Ground was officially broken on Wednesday, December 9 for the Wayne

County Waterline Extension Project beginning at Free-dom United Baptist

Church.

Local officials, along with residents who will soon receive city water

because of the project, gathered near the church for the ceremony.

Conley Gregory Construction is the contractor for the project, and he

indicated that work should begin right after Christmas.

The project will take about six months to complete.

The project, which was funded through the state budget, will bring water

to 52 households in the area.

"This is something that means a lot to people, to see something being

done," said Monticello Utility Commission Manager Gene Jones, who was among

local officials present at the ceremony.

District Three Magistrate Dale Vaughn was also pleased to see the

project begin.

"There has been a lot of hard work that has made this possible," stated

Vaughn. "I grew up out in this district, and I'm doing everything I can to

give back to as many people as I can."