Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Not only will Barbee Lakes Conservancy District remain intact, its duties may be expanded.
In a Conservancy District meeting Tuesday, Barry Hecker, the district's newly elected chairman, responded to rumors that the Quality Network would dissolve the district.
"The district will not be dissolved unless there is proof that we don't need it," he said.
While the district's purpose is for the collection and treatment of waste, members Tuesday discussed a new proposed purpose of monitoring water quality.
To add a purpose to the district, the freeholders would need to prepare an application and then 10 percent of them would be required to sign a petition.
The district also is looking into the Leir Program, which prepares a study of water and drainage quality and the efficiency of septic and sewer systems. The study is based on the work of several contractors.
The program would take 18 months to complete and cost between $20,000 and $30,000. The conservancy district would be required to pay 10 percent of the cost when the program begins. The state would pay the remainder when the program is finished.
Deadline for the Leir Program was Feb. 1, but money is still available and the district has begun the application process.
The resignation of Syracuse attorney Richard Green, who has represented the conservancy district, was formally accepted Tuesday. He will officially resign on March 18.
The district is seeking new legal counsel and is accepting applications.
The members proposed a newsletter to be distributed to the district three times a year at a cost of $2,100.
They also added two Saturday meetings to the schedule, with tentative dates of the second Saturdays in June and August.
New officers Donald Harris, vice president; Scott Fox, secretary; and Barton Brugh, treasurer, assumed their positions Tuesday.
The next meeting will be April 14 at the Barbee Lakes Conservancy Club, 3890 N. CR 700E, Warsaw.
