NORTH WEBSTER – The Lakeland Regional Sewer District board is trying to find the best way to join several properties to the system while construction is ongoing. The board discussed Thursday a proposed ordinance that would allow the owners of properties excluded from the collection system design to take advantage of the fact that crews are currently installing pipes and grinder pumps. It would be at the property owners’ expense, since project funds from the USDA don’t cover them, but that expense is likely much lower now than it would be after the system is finished, board members observed. About 60 properties whose owners refused to sign easements were written out of the design submitted for USDA approval, board President Jim Haney said, but eight to 10 of them were since sold to new owners who now want to be included. A handful of other property owners also have expressed interest. Board members weighed whether they want to pay to have plans drafted for including each property, then send cost estimates to property owners to see if they want to proceed – and risk absorbing that initial cost for those who decline – or to send letters of inquiry before doing anything else. Getting estimates will cost a few hundred dollars per property, while the price for the installation itself will vary widely from site to site, ranging from $500 to $9,000, depending on factors like length of line needed and the location of grinder pumps or placement of existing pumps, said Casey Erwin with engineering firm DLZ. The additional property owners would pay only actual costs, including the cost of any changes to plans such as moving a grinder pump, but no extra fees that existing customers don’t also see, board attorney Andy Boxberger emphasized. The board ultimately voted to send letters first, which will inform property owners of the cost of getting an estimate and of the fact that there will be deadlines for their decision. Member Mike Dewald voted no, after remarking that there could be problems with the decision that they can’t foresee. “Are we going to sit here two years from now and say we wish we hadn’t done that?” he asked before the vote. “I can see lots of problems with this, it’s the rule of unintended consequences.” Board member Parke Smith observed that, despite the risk of extra costs, the district would be “taking the high road” in helping new people join and in giving another chance to property owners who didn’t sign easements, while Haney noted that the district as a whole would benefit from having more customers shouldering operating costs. Also Thursday, the board: • Approved an amendment to the rate ordinance giving campground owners the option of a metered rate instead of a flat rate, and an ordinance setting the process for them to request a metered rate. • Approved pay applications for work on the wastewater treatment plant, at $350,208; part A of the collection system, at $83,992; and part B, at $630,313. • Voted to update the district website for $3,045, which will allow them to do more such as post construction drawings and better communicate with district customers. • Heard that of the 1,665 invoices sent every month, 140 to 150 have never been paid and 30 of those are coming back undeliverable, according to Jennifer Ransbottom with Jones Petrie Rafinski, which handles billing for the district. They have to assume the other 110 to 120 are just being ignored, she said. Despite that, she said the collection ratio is good compared to other newly established districts.
