With all of the controversy about the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District's plan for Phase IIIB in Carroll County, construction seemed to be eminent.

However the start time to begin construction was given to be about a year from now, according to Joe Tierney of GRW Engineering, the firm responsible for the design of Phase III and Phase IIIB. The announcement came at the sewer district's board of directors meeting April 27.Board treasurer Art Anderson agreed with the assessment of when construction would begin.

"I'm being optimistic in saying a year," he said.

Tierney reported a funding commitment from the office of Rural Development is approximately 120 days away. He added his firm will apply for a permit for the modified line route from Indiana Department of Environmental Management soon.

Tierney stated there are 600 customers in Phase III and 1,100 customers included in Phase IIIB, which is the service area in Carroll County.

It was announced that interim bills to all customers will begin when a bid is accepted for construction and the company is ready to proceed.

Phase III charges from GRW for $55,000 were approved. However Anderson called for an engineering review to "crosscheck to see if what they have (planned) is what they need (to be doing.)"

"My personal feeling is that it's over-engineered," Anderson said by way of explanation.

Carroll County's board representative Ron Felz agreed.

"I personally have some questions," he said. "I'd like to sit down with GRW as well."

Board members decided to meet with GRW initially to discuss concerns before requesting a review from an outside party. Board president Jim Smith, Felz and Anderson comprise the ad hoc committee for this purpose.

The board voted five to one to hold only evening meetings beginning in June. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the current location. Anderson voted against the action.

Oak Grove Church patron and Jefferson Township resident Sherry Long said she received no notification about the pending Rattle Snake Creek action. She advised that her church, along with one other, baptizes in the creek.

"The water that's going to be put in the creek is cleaner than what's in the creek," Anderson said.

"I'm going to do whatever possible to stop it," Long said. "This isn't a right thing."

When asked about alternative funding streams for Phase IIIB by Jefferson Township resident Sandy Hathaway, Smith replied, "Carroll County government could give you assistance if they chose to."

"Your county government could float a bond issue to help you," he continued. "We made a request (to county council) three times. They chose not to."

Special Meeting

TLRSD met in special session prior to the 3 p.m. April 27 board meeting to discuss a previously advertised community forum, planned for April 30, to be held in conjunction with a reporter from the Lafayette Journal and Courier.

"I wanted a story about the positive side of the sewer district," Smith said.

Smith reported the advertised venue was not available for the event and explained the forum was not planned in a public board meeting nor was it voted on by the board prior to the publicity.

The decision was made to cancel the meeting and not reschedule until it was time for the public rate hearings.

After adjournment, Smith and four board members remained sitting and fielded questions from audience members.

"We're just having a conversation here," he said to explain the obvious violation of the Indiana open door law.