Ryan Cramer, left, accepts a plaque from district superintendent Timothy Woodward. Cramer became level one certified for his work in the lab, a first step to truly learning all aspects of the wastewater business.

CROMWELL — As the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District board finalizes bond loans from a completed sewer project 25 years in the making, it has also taken on a $216,000 sewer reversal project. To the dismay of the one dissenting member, board president Rex Heil, TCRSD voted Monday night, Aug. 21, to remove portions of the flow from TCRSD customers to the town of Syracuse.

Very little detail was added about when the project will officially begin or what it will mean for the district, most of which is up in the air as the project develops. The green light was granted by vote, but several board members spoke up to provide the “why” behind the “yes.”

Ringing loud and clear over the district was the looming bills from the town of Syracuse, a battle TCRSD has been fighting for many months after working with rate consultant Jon Julien. The district received a $34,000 bill from Syracuse and agreed to pay just $7,700 toward that. “I don’t think we have any choice,” voiced board member Robert Dumford.

Heil cautioned the members, “the board is going to run short of money soon,” but the $569,000 of remaining funds from the S.W.A.P. project is fair game for funding the reversal. Heil noted the district would be well-advised to completely close out one large project before beginning another, a warning that did not seem to matter against the thought of continuing to be billed by the town of Syracuse.

Fueling the drive, the board was asked to reschedule a meeting with the town of Syracuse to work through billing questions. The meeting scheduled for Aug. 10 was canceled through a letter from the town of Syracuse to the district with the next date not yet determined or suggested. Within the letter, Syracuse representatives requested additional time to prepare.

On a more forward note, district superintendent Timothy Woodward presented one of his newest employees with a plaque to honor his level one certification for the district. Ryan Cramer was a man of few words and many smiles during the presentation adding only his pleasure at being on the TCRSD workforce with the team. Cramer works in the district’s lab, recently approved by IDEM for another two-year period.

Woodward updated the board on continued improvements made within the district during the past month, preventative maintenance he said he tries to stay on the lookout for at all times. Woodward and crew invested time repainting the water plant generator and several lift station panels. Woodward also replaced a 28-year old raw flow meter, added a centrifuge to the lab, and lined up repair work for the sledge wagon.

Andrew Grossnickle, attorney for the district, provided updates on liens against properties (or lack of them) as well as the ongoing litigation against a marina owner who refuses to connect. Most recently in the marina litigation, it was found the property owner had what the board fondly refers to as a “floating john,” a makeshift portable restroom that sits in the water rather than on the property.

Grossnickle has partnered with the district to work through required portable restroom permits, exceptions and regulations. The litigation with the property owner has not yet been settled.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Meetings take place the third Monday of each month at the Cromwell office.