NORTH WEBSTER — Lakeland Regional Sewer District board members met Thursday evening, Nov. 3, to discuss project updates and setbacks. After hearing updates from DLZ engineer Casey Erwin, it seems the project is nearing completion, shining a light through the very long tunnel of a project.

Of the four contracted construction areas, one has already reached substantial completion, with the other three in the final stages. Contract A is approximately 80 percent complete; Contract B has reached substantial completion. The wastewater treatment plant has a nearly complete administration building with inside plumbing and electrical both complete. Contractors in this area are working on restoration and start up for this facility.

Although contractors are nearing the final steps for each area, that hasn’t preventing change orders from continuing to roll in. The board discussed the pros and cons of adding an additional storage unit to the property, noting an existing concrete slab could be used for at least a couple years to house this structure. Board member Bob Sanders spoke up on this issue, recommending the board choose to purchase storage over renting a structure. “I can’t imagine that in the future we won’t still need this storage,” noted Sanders.

The board brought up the budget that cut funding for their two garage bays at the wastewater treatment plant, turning the plans into one bay. This additional storage building would compensate for some of the lost storage in the original plan. The board authorized Erwin to get the ball rolling on the additional storage with a not to exceed amount of $5,000. Treasurer Mike DeWald was also authorized to obtain insurance for the structure and contents in a not to exceed amount of $100,000.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, district regular Stew Lambert spoke up about a request to protect the pump placed on his property. Lambert is the owner of Pine Bay Resort, LLC, a Leesburg campground that has recently been in court against the LRSD in an attempt to gain metered sewage.

Lambert’s pump was placed in a grassy area that he claims is used for parking. His fear is that the pump will sustain damage during the camping season and that he will be responsible for the damages. Lambert requested additional protection from Erwin in the form of a traffic-rated cover, which has not been approved. Lambert was seeking out a yes or no answer, but was only met with the repeated refrain of, “it is not currently in the plans.”

The next meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 1, at the North Webster Community Center beginning at 6 p.m.

In other news:

• Another public member requested a cancelation of fees, which the board denied, noting it would require an amendment to the written policies.
• JPR filed 10 new liens for unpaid bills