Lakeland Regional Sewer District’s monthly public board meeting Thursday, May 4, was largely focused on the issue of whether or not contractors would be able to connect homeowners by the Sept. 1 deadline.

After hearing from representatives of Jones Petrie Rafinski, the company overseeing hook-ups, and private contractors in attendance, the board chose to allow connections after Sept. 1, provided the homeowner has approval and has entered into a contract with a contractor before that date. They will then have until the end of 2017.

The motion passed unanimously after the board heard from Kathy Selby, a resident of Big Barbee Lake and an excavating contractor. Due to the rain and snow, said Selby, she and other contractors are already behind. “We’re working as fast as we can,” she said; however, her company did not want to take on new customers for fear of not having enough time. Selby added the situation would be worse during the peak time in July, when the number of homeowners returning to the lakes will make moving equipment difficult. “The influx of people will be the big issue.”

“Without an extension we can’t take anymore,” Selby stated. With the extension, she stated, “I truly believe we can get the numbers back in line.”

According to Josh Thomas of JPR, only 169 connections had been made as of Thursday’s meeting, with 442 permits issued. “It gets a little better every week,” he said. When asked if all the remaining connections, approximately 1,700, could be made before Sept. 1, he said he would be able to make a better estimation after Memorial Day. “It’s too early to tell if we’re ahead or behind,” he concluded.

But with the 33 percent window elapsed and the comments of local contractors considered, the board decided not to wait and passed the extension, which may also help keep the work local, as it enables local contractors to take on more work, thereby lessening the need for the board to seek outside help.

Thomas encouraged homeowners to get multiple quotes to reduce the threat of price gouging. This is another reason they should be proactive and not wait until the last second to get the grinders in the ground and connected.

The board also voted to pay for the grinder installation of a resident who, in spite of making payments, had not received a grinder. Though DLZ engineer Casey Erwin declined to say how much the late installation would cost, it will be significantly higher than if the work had been done in the general construction phase, during which time the property had been deemed “not sewage producing,” although the previous owner had sold it to a woman now waiting to move her family and trailer onto the property.

“The perfect storm has happened,” said council member Bob Sanders regarding the series of events which led to the oversight. President Jim Haney observed, “There’s no documentation an error occurred.” As for the question of where the money would come from he said, “The property owner shouldn’t be held up by that issue.” Sanders agreed, “We need to go with compassion here.”

The motion passed with one member, Greg Mitchell, opposing. Mitchell questioned the period of time that had elapsed, more than two years, and worried about a possible precedent being set. “Are we gonna be held responsible for all of these?” he asked. Sanders said he did not believe a precedent was being set, due to the unusual circumstances, and board member Parke Smith cited the homeowners payments, which “sets an expectation” the board was obligated to meet.