Sewer district project marches on
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Construction permit appeals and lawsuits continue to nag at Twin Lakes Sewer District plans. In spite of it all, district board members forged ahead to plan for expansion into Carroll County amidst objections by potential customers.

The latest question was raised at the Thursday night meeting by Carroll County Councilman Ron Slavens. Present at the meeting on behalf of a Stoney Creek resident, he questioned why the sewer district was allowed to proceed into Carroll County.

"The simple answer to that is this board was asked to take them in," sewer district legal counsel Donald Tribbett said.

Slavens asked if the county commissioners could ask for exclusion for portions of the proposed service area. Tribbett replied in the negative.

However, Jefferson Township resident Pat Robertson said the Carroll County Commissioners were advised by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management they could make that request. She further said the county leaders approached the board with a duly adopted exclusion resolution and were denied the request.

Slavens said in a follow-up interview he believes he did not receive the entire truth from Tribbett.

"I believe the district has the option to rescind a request that an area be included," Slavens said.

Other business

The board adopted Resolution 2007-04, which provided for appraisals of a parcel of land in the Johnson-Tribbett subdivision in White County for a new sewer district administration office. Carroll County board representative Wayne Garrison, chair of the projects committee, introduced the resolution.

GRW Engineering representative Joe Tierney reported it was expected that plans and specifications would be ready to advertise for the Phase IIIB project, construction in Carroll County, March 29.

Tierney said the firm was working on the final plans and responded to formal concerns by the Office of Rural Development, the entity that provides funding for sewer projects.

Tierney advised a wage rate hearing was needed for Phase IIIB. White County sewer district board member Larry Dunn was appointed as a representative from industry.

It was explained Carroll County Commissioners would appoint a taxpaying representative from Carroll County. The sewer district board would also appoint a taxpayer.

Garrison said he would consult with Carroll County Commissioners about the appointment and include recommendations.

The next meeting will be April 26 at 7 p.m.