The TCRSD board met in the garage bay Monday night to hear updates on finances and planning. Jeff Hersha, left, let the board know the grant writer had poor responses to phases 1 and 2 of the surveys, sent by mail and phone contact, but would be coming door-to-door in August to solicit responses. Each response can provide valuable insight into opportunities for project funding. Shown, from left are Hersha; Timothy Woodward, TCRSD superintendent;  Andrew Boxberger, attorney; and board members, James Young, Robert Dumford and James Boone. InkFreeNews photo by Chelsea Los.

By Chelsea Los
InkFreeNews

CROMWELL — Although the board filled the entire garage bay of Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District with chairs, only two public members were present for its monthly meeting Monday, July 20. There is still no official word on whether the district will move forward with sewering parts of Wawasee, but the board did provide updates on some of the moving pieces required to finalize plans.

The district received a financial analysis from John Julien of Baker Tilly, who recommended the board pursue a tiered rate increase to begin January 2021. Julien cited a $150,000 annual gap between the district’s current revenue and expenditures.

The board set the motion in place, meaning a $2 increase will be coming down the pipeline for the start of 2021, followed by an additional $2 in January 2022 and 2023. The next step will be a rate hearing to officially announce a motion to the public.

The board also heard from Jeff Hersha of Jones & Henry, who passed on concerns shared from the current grant writer working on funding for the district. The process for finding grant money started with an income survey — a request that was set in motion through multiple requests from property owners — but has yielded few responses.

Surveys were sent by mail with a small number of responses, followed by phone calls with even less results. The next step will be a door-to-door attempt to collect responses; that is scheduled for August. The writer will be working on a weekend to ensure the majority of property owners can be available, and the date will be announced once finalized.

Hersha also reported the district’s submission to the state revolving fund had been approved, meaning low-interest loans will be more easily available for property owners should the Wawasee sewers be deemed feasible financially and structurally. The board did make a motion to allow Jones & Henry to begin a preliminary design for the project, saving valuable time once the financial side is made available.

The district will meet again on at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17. The meetings are held at the TCRSD office, located at 4852 N. 1200W, Cromwell.