Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:07:00
Second Sewer Project Meeting Slated For Feb. 21
Ben Wheeler— Months after hosting a public information session regarding the possible construction of a new sanitary sewer project in Ben Wheeler, city leaders are busy planning a second public forum on February 21 to inform the community of changes and updates made to the original proposal.
The first public hearing, which occurred in October, included Brooks Gremmels, co-founder of the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, who outlined the current state of affairs and behind the scenes progress that had been made to get the area a new sewer system.
According to the information letter sent to homeowners prior to the meeting, and Gremmels presentation, plans for the potential project were initiated approximately two years ago.
Consumer Resource Group (a non-profit company), Senator Ralph Hall’s office, and Johnson-Pace and Associates all collaborated to research the viability of a sewer facility in the Ben Wheeler area.
Paperwork was submitted for grants to offset the nearly $4,000,000 cost of the project. In late June, the USDA sent notification that $2,000,000 of the cost would be covered by a government grant. The other half of the project would be covered by a loan (40 years at 2.5%).
As an incentive for affected citizens to take part, the letter provided advised “the cost of ‘membership’ in this project is $100.00. The material and labor costs to connect to the system are free if the customer chooses to tie onto the system. The sewer line will be connected at the residence or business at no charge. Your existing septic system, if you so choose, will be dug up and filled, again at no charge.”
Residents not interested were advised that joining the sewer project past the membership drive deadline would require payment for labor and materials for the connection.
The proposed system “is designed to allow the effluent to pass through plants and rocks in a natural cleansing cycle. Because this operation uses very little electricity and requires a bare minimum supervision, the operating costs are surprisingly low.”
Benefits of the sewer system, according to Gremmels, include raising property values, allowing future commercial and residential growth, and insuring the sanitary treatment of effluent.
Reaction to the presentation made in October, which also included representatives from Johnson-Pace and Consumer Resource Group, was generally positive with many in attendance questioning the time frame for future phases of the project.
In a recent interview, Gremmels noted that several changes had been made to the original proposal. The pricing of the project would switch from a flat rate system (where residential customers would pay $22 per month), to a system based on usage.
Asked about the reason for such a shift, Gremmels stated that, under the old system, “commercial customers would bear the burden.”
The new plan, which retains the original $100 buy in for customers, would be tied to usage, with rates increasing per 1,000 gallons used.
Current estimates of the new plan would leave approximately 40 out of 150 residences at the same rate of $22 per month.
Gremmels stated, “Most people in town would see only a small increase in their monthly cost from the original proposal. The median price for customers would be about $28.”
Gremmels continued that, on the high end, “there would be about 8 customers (including himself) that would pay up to $170 per month.”
Prior to the meeting on February 21, Gremmels stated that he would like to speak with potential customers around town to gauge their interest in the revised plan.
Gremmels stated, “I really think this plan could benefit the community. Ultimately, I think the plan will work better this way.”
The first public hearing, which occurred in October, included Brooks Gremmels, co-founder of the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, who outlined the current state of affairs and behind the scenes progress that had been made to get the area a new sewer system.
According to the information letter sent to homeowners prior to the meeting, and Gremmels presentation, plans for the potential project were initiated approximately two years ago.
Consumer Resource Group (a non-profit company), Senator Ralph Hall’s office, and Johnson-Pace and Associates all collaborated to research the viability of a sewer facility in the Ben Wheeler area.
Paperwork was submitted for grants to offset the nearly $4,000,000 cost of the project. In late June, the USDA sent notification that $2,000,000 of the cost would be covered by a government grant. The other half of the project would be covered by a loan (40 years at 2.5%).
As an incentive for affected citizens to take part, the letter provided advised “the cost of ‘membership’ in this project is $100.00. The material and labor costs to connect to the system are free if the customer chooses to tie onto the system. The sewer line will be connected at the residence or business at no charge. Your existing septic system, if you so choose, will be dug up and filled, again at no charge.”
Residents not interested were advised that joining the sewer project past the membership drive deadline would require payment for labor and materials for the connection.
The proposed system “is designed to allow the effluent to pass through plants and rocks in a natural cleansing cycle. Because this operation uses very little electricity and requires a bare minimum supervision, the operating costs are surprisingly low.”
Benefits of the sewer system, according to Gremmels, include raising property values, allowing future commercial and residential growth, and insuring the sanitary treatment of effluent.
Reaction to the presentation made in October, which also included representatives from Johnson-Pace and Consumer Resource Group, was generally positive with many in attendance questioning the time frame for future phases of the project.
In a recent interview, Gremmels noted that several changes had been made to the original proposal. The pricing of the project would switch from a flat rate system (where residential customers would pay $22 per month), to a system based on usage.
Asked about the reason for such a shift, Gremmels stated that, under the old system, “commercial customers would bear the burden.”
The new plan, which retains the original $100 buy in for customers, would be tied to usage, with rates increasing per 1,000 gallons used.
Current estimates of the new plan would leave approximately 40 out of 150 residences at the same rate of $22 per month.
Gremmels stated, “Most people in town would see only a small increase in their monthly cost from the original proposal. The median price for customers would be about $28.”
Gremmels continued that, on the high end, “there would be about 8 customers (including himself) that would pay up to $170 per month.”
Prior to the meeting on February 21, Gremmels stated that he would like to speak with potential customers around town to gauge their interest in the revised plan.
Gremmels stated, “I really think this plan could benefit the community. Ultimately, I think the plan will work better this way.”