CROMWELL — The sheer lack of public members present during the sewer meeting Monday, Feb. 20, stands as testament to the successful sewer project by Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District as it nears completion. Board members and engineers announced proudly the final stages of the S.W.A.P project wrapping around the local lakes.

Contractors Mason and NIBLOCK are finishing punch list items and repairs this month, including the replacement of the clarifier tank scum arm that was ineffective. Final pay requests should also be submitted within the next few weeks.

The board discussed several other open agenda items including new board members, maintenance and repairs on the existing facilities and the continued rate battle with Syracuse town. Timothy Woodward, district superintendent, updated the board on work completed in the Vawter Park area and the water treatment facility. Woodward noticed a small leak coming from a main check valve and ordered the replacement parts only to find he was able to repair the existing pieces. He has set aside the new part as a backup.

The large cedar fence around the Vawter Park lift station has been removed with new fencing in the works. The district also added yellow ballasts to help protect the equipment from any impact from vehicles. The district had previously quoted the work at $4,800 but got another estimate accepted for $2,400. Woodward is also working with the Kosciusko County Highway Department on reparations for mistakes made on patching roads.

According to Woodward, the KCHD was warned on how to patch over a cap in the road but instead filled it with 4 feet of asphalt that had to be chipped out by hand by Woodward and another district employee, Chet Los. Woodward will be submitting a bill for the labor, Vactor truck and Strombeck costs due to sewers becoming clogged and possibly backing up into houses. Since many of the homes in the area are summer homes with part-time residents, Woodward explained the district will not truly know the extent of any damages until those out of town come to check on their summer homes.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, at the district office in Cromwell.

In other news:

Woodward noted every single customer of the district is up to date on payments and appear to be on board and happy with the project. Because of this, he said the board may want to consider an extension on the time frame for hooking up to better accommodate contractors and customers.

The TCRSD board met with member of the Syracuse town to discuss options on a proposed rate decrease. The TCRSD board is requesting an additional meeting to include Syracuse town, rate study officials, Umbaugh employees all together.