NORTH WEBSTER — The Lakeland Regional Sewer District board met for the regular monthly meeting on Thursday evening, July 7, at the North Webster Community Center. Beginning at 6 p.m., the board had a full evening of updates, change orders and approving bills.

Casey Erwin, project engineer for DLZ, put the project at about 67 percent substantial completion. Contracts A and B, both through Seldge Construction, produced pay applications in the amounts of $514,202.01 and $437,399.74 respectively. Contract area C, through Advanced Rehab Technologies, produced a pay application in the amount of $518,642.05. Contracts A, B and C are 54, 89 and 67 percent complete, respectively.

The wastewater treatment plant is also progressing nicely, according to Erwin. However, that building and contracted area are also in need of some change orders to finalize the plans. Erwin noted that although a second garage bay area was removed from the original project, the existing garage bay needs some sheet metal or other type of finishing touches on the inside to protect the insulated walls in the shop area. Also excluded from the original plan was a hot water line to the shop area, leaving workers with only cold water to clean hands, vehicles and other equipment in the sewer areas. Erwin requested that the board consider authorizing board president Jim Haney to sign off on the change orders as long as they were under $18,000. The board agreed, also approving a pay application from R.E. Crosby in the amount of $507,996.35.

Over the past few months, the board has smoothed out a process for allowing new customers to join the sewer project. Regardless of the bumpy ride, district contact Greg Gear estimated that 34 properties will be taking advantage of the opportunity. Since the $29 million project is being funded by the USDA and didn’t include these new connections, homeowners who met the deadline and paid the necessary fees to become project-privy are required to pay the entire cost upfront before any actions take place. Since the board finalized these plans, several new property owners have been left in limbo on how to finance joining the project on their own. At this time, there is no additional plan in place for those who are now coming to the board after multiple deadlines have ended.

The district set aside one change order in the estimated amount of $24-$28,000 until the August meeting. The board did, however, approve smaller change orders that extended the amount of pipe used under channel crossings and ditches.

Erwin noted contractors were able to add soft starts to the existing backup generators in Contract C, allowing for smaller generators to be utilized. Again, Erwin asked the board to authorize Haney to sign off on this as a deduction or $0 net cost change.

While looking over monthly statements, district attorney Andrew Boxberger noted that legal fees were running approximately twice the average amount because of ongoing litigation between the district and Pine Bay Resort. The site is owned by Stew and Becky Lambert, who are requesting additional grinder stations be added.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 4.

In other news:

• The board agreed to extend the mandatory connection period from 90 to 180 calendar days.
• The district will be holding a public meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, at the NWCC.
• The board has begun the process of creating internal control standards
• The board approved a $25 transfer fee when providing closing statements to new property owners