What really goes on at the Sewer Board Meeting:
We guess you read in the Tribune where Seabrook asked for an "Excutive Session" after the next Sewer Board Meeting (March 7-day after the City Council meeting) for possible litigation with the EPA. We wonder how much extra money Atty. Greg Fifer will get for that added work...Or will they contract that one out too?
We think it was the Mayor who said the bar screen project might be done in June instead of August. They sure know how to hurry when they want sewer credits to build. (They get a chunk of credits from EPA when it is done) Brian Dixon said they had begun work on it..cutting holes in the wet well.
Mr. Seabrook asked Atty. Fifer to be at the next Council meeting for an update. Seabrook said some people feel he is not telling everything about the money situation of the sewers. Mr. Seabrook stated some Council Members want to know the scenario and if we need a sewer rate study. Of course they are all going to blame the EPA.
Mr. Chad McCormick was there and talked about Storm water's three planning periods: 1st is to be until 2007, 2nd from 2008 to 2013 and 3rd beyond 2013. They and/or Council have to decide on the Storm water Board set up. They said they could use IC 23, But the Mayor would have to sit on the Board. Or IC 25 a district-and some one said No. Mayor Garner and the rest seemed to like IC 8 or a hybrid of it. The Sewer Board discussed whether or not the Council should have the last say so (vote) on the rates to be changed (which would have to be in the ordinance they finally pass or not).
Mr. Todd Solomon wasn't in favor of the Council having any power over the rates, because he said Stormwater would end up like the sewers...not having enough money to fund it to do their work. Their was also a discussion about the IUS group doing inventory and illicit discharges.
Atty. Greg Fifer addressed Tort Claims mentioned a discussion with City Atty. Shane Gibson. Atty. Fifer feels because the city has Capacity Assurance Plan (CAP) and the sewer work is completed, the city should not be held responsible for sewer backup damage into homes, unless the customer can definitely prove the City is at fault. Atty. Fifer wants to let homeowners know they should think about taking out sewer backup insurance on their Homeowners Policies. Mayor James Garner stated he doesn't think the city should be responsible for damage to homes if someone lets a rag (or diaper) go down the sewer and stops up a sewer line.
Freedom Of Speech would like to know if and when will the City of New Albany every collect the so called 2 million dollars Georgetown owes?
