CROMWELL — In just one short month, the focus of the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District board has shifted dramatically.

With hardly a moment to take a collective breath, the district is forging ahead with a study to determine the cost and effort needed to bring all sewage and water to its own facilities instead of contracting out some of that work to the town of Syracuse. This project will cover East Shore, North Shore and Syracuse Lake.

The board met Monday evening, April 17, to discuss the progress on the new study, present an update on the S.W.A.P. project, plus gain some insight from its legal team.

• District Superintendent Timothy Woodward outlined recent accomplishments and upcoming goals, including a targeted shortened deadline for the new study from nine to six months. Woodward noted work in the following areas:
•  Contracting out the annual service/cleaning of a well at the wastewater facility to Ortman Drilling, a Kokomo-based company specializing in water supply.
• Woodward was seeking to replace control boards through an outside company, but was able to find them cheaper elsewhere independently.
• NIBLOCK completed punch list items on the S.W.A.P project.
• Man Cave Brewery is connected and pumping from its new location on SR 13.
• Keep It Clean Pumping Service LLC will begin pumping May 1.
• Woodward sent a gear box off to get an estimate on repairs but was able to purchase a completely new one for just $500 more.

Dick Green, attorney for the district, was represented by partner Andrew Grossnickle at Monday night’s meeting. Grossnickle is in litigation for the district due to a private property’s refusal to pay. The pier space has a standing structure, according to the board, and is therefore subject to a monthly bill per the rate ordinance and user agreement.

The owners of the space have additionally placed portable toilet facilities on the property, a direct violation of the district’s user agreement. “We need to stand firm and put an end to this,” said Woodward.
The board will meet again at 7 p.m. Monday, May 15, at the Cromwell office of TCRSD.

In other news:
• The board approved insurance policies that decreased premiums but also decreased coverage in a few areas.
• Mike Williams, CAM of North Webster, is continuing to work on allowing online payments for the district. He is recommending using a third-party source, InvoiceCloud, to bill customers and accept the payments.
• Henry DeJulia, town of Syracuse, responded to the letter sent by the district noting he is working with a rate consultant to get an answer on the discrepancies on recent bills.
• TCRSD received its town of Syracuse bill late and will be sending a letter documenting the request for the bill to arrive earlier in order to be paid on time.