Rex Heil, left, stands as he thanks each board member and TCRSD employee for all their efforts. Heil stepped down as the board president in early 2019, allowing Jim Boone, right, to take the position. After 20 years of service on the board, Heil attended his final meeting Monday evening, Dec. 16. Superintendent Timothy Woodward presented Heil with a pen and plaque to commemorate his service.

CROMWELL — Fun, festive, and final. Each December brings a holly jolly feel to the sewer crew that comprises the board of Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District, and Monday night, Dec. 16, was no exception.

Although the board and district said goodbye to member Rex Heil after 20 years of service, there was much to celebrate after wrapping up what the team felt to be a successful year.

TCRSD gathered for dinner with employees and spouses at The Sleepy Owl prior to the meeting, sharing meals and laughter. Timothy Woodward, TCRSD superintendent, stood over the crowd to humbly thank each attendee for their services. Alongside the district’s employees were board members, attorney for the district, insurance representative, and project engineers. Woodward recognized the great challenges and accomplishments of the district, and also thanked each board member with a commemorative bottle opener. Heil was honored with a pen and plaque noting his 20 years of service.

Following the festivities, board members trekked to the Cromwell office to catch up on TCRSD happenings. Closing out the year, Lupke Rice representative Stan Rice presented the district with his recommendations for an updated insurance policy. Aptly applied, Rice noted more than a million dollar increase in coverage value for the district due to this year’s large water plant improvements. Rice highlighted a few other changes to the policy, including a price decrease on worker’s compensation coverage through Erie, additional protection for work or damage on TCRSD’s cement asbestos pipe, and coverage for damages from the railroads that cross through district lines. The new policy means an almost $3,000 increase annually, but the board approved the coverages.

John Magsam of Jones & Henry coordinated with Woodward to update the board on the progress of the open projects around the district. Both contractors are completed with work and finalizing punch list items and provided proof of payment to their suppliers. Woodward said the board will be approving final payments during the January 2020 meeting.

Although the district is finalizing one project, the possibility of adding more sewer access along Lake Wawasee is not off the table. Woodward, a couple of his employees, and Jeff Hersha of Jones & Henry all toured an AirVac facility in Rochester last week to explore the possibility of using those systems in lieu of sewers. As promised, the board members feel they are doing their due diligence to explore all options for maintaining clean water in the district. In response to questioning from property owner Judy DeLury, Woodward said all options for that will be presented at the March 2020 meeting.

The board will hold its first meeting of 2020 at 7 p.m. Jan. 20.

In other matters:

• The board has requested a cost estimate for remaining IT work for switching over communication systems.
• Pam Johns asked for and was granted permission to write off an unpaid bill of approximately $900 from a former property owner. She stated a bill had not been written off in more than three years.
• The board has submitted a name to the governor’s office as a recommendation to replace Heil and is waiting on approval. DeLury pointed out the board has no female members.