Full steam ahead in Carroll County
Sewer district receives promise of federal funds
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Although it was not announced at the Thursday night meeting, a letter approving a funding commitment for Phase IIIB, the Carroll County portion of the proposed service area, was received from the Office of Rural Development by the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District last week.

In a letter dated Feb. 13 to the sewer district from USDA Rural Development in Columbia City, a $12,022,000 loan was formally approved on that date.

Carroll County representative Wayne Garrison said he first received word of the award in the board packet received Feb. 21, but verified there was no formal announcement at the Thursday night meeting.

"It surprised me that we got the authorization this quickly," Garrison said. "However, I am glad we are able to move on instead of being in limbo with this project."

Board members set March 23 as the target date for construction bids to be advertised. They urged GRW Engineering representative Joe Tierney to be ready to begin the bidding process by that time.

BioTown

Jonathan Borgers, project manager for BioTown, provided a brief overview of the project for board members as information only.

"I'm not looking for you to approve anything tonight," he said.

"Don't worry about that," Anderson replied.

Borgers said the BioTown Authority is working to develop a wastewater master plan to help the current need in Reynolds, and with Monticello and Monon.

"Monticello is very interested in this," he said.

Borgers said a feasibility study would cost $40,000 and suggested the TLRSD contribution would be approximately $2,500, if it chose to participate.

"We're very interested in Monticello and what they're going to do about it," TLRSD president Jim Smith said. "I think the board should consider the request."

Smith said he wanted to avoid public criticism for not considering all options.

"I don't even want to spend $2,500 of these people's money and then give them a price increase down the road," Anderson said.

Borgers said the goal of including the sewer district in the study would be to gather all pertinent information to make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Garrison suggested a project time-line be developed and continued contact with TLRSD superintendent Mike Darter by Borgers.

Smith welcomed BioTown representatives to visit board meetings and provide updates at any time.

The next meeting will be March 8 at 7 p.m.