The county plans to extend public water service to about 80 homes in the Pen Mar area.
CAC Director of Housing Kathy C. Saxman said the CAC anticipates about 40 of the 80 households will receive the hookup and service line installation assistance.
"This is a great program for that," Commissioner James F. Kercheval said.
The $2.5 million system includes placing a 30-foot-high groundwater storage tank in the woods about halfway up High Rock Road. Most of the project will be funded by state and federal grants, including a $1 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Currently, the residents that will be hooked up to the public water system use wells or cisterns.
The water system has brought support and objections from the Pen Mar residents.
Residents who have opposed the system have expressed concern about paying public water rates. Those who support it, typically the cistern users, have said they want a better way to get their water.
The commissioners held a public hearing on the grant before they voted unanimously to submit the application, drawing criticism from Commissioners Vice President William J. Wivell.
Wivell said the public hearing should have been held during the evening in the Pen Mar area so residents would have a chance to comment.
No residents attended Tuesday's public hearing, which was held about 3:30 p.m.
Wivell said he didn't know the public hearing was scheduled until about five minutes before it began.
"These folks, don't they have to participate?" Wivell asked.
Saxman said the public hearing was advertised in The Herald-Mail and that the affected residents were aware of the grant assistance. She said surveys were mailed to the residents to determine which ones would be eligible for the financial help.
The commissioners directed the CAC and county officials to hold a public information meeting in the Pen Mar area so residents have a chance to voice their concerns about the assistance and system.
"I can't foresee anybody objecting" to receiving the assistance, Commissioner John C. Munson said.
"And they won't, John, as long as its been explained to them," Wivell said.
