Ken Jones updates the Tippecanoe & Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District board on progress of various projects during Monday evening’s meeting. InkFreeNews photo by Deb Patterson

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Progress continues on the preliminary plan work by Jones Petrie Rafinski for the Tippecanoe & Chapman Lakes Regional Sewer District. But the promise of more detailed information will come in January, according to Ken Jones, president of JPR, during the board meeting Monday evening, Dec. 14.

Jones presented the progress report on the preliminary engineering report, activities, property owner database, and facility plan submittal to IDEM. In all areas the work is progressing and on track. During his report Jones noted the board will receive an updated PER at its January meeting. This report will isolate and show costs relating to location of pump basis or vacuum basins.

The board’s engineering committee is expected to meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, to review the PER and make recommendations to the board later that evening. This meeting will be open to the public and will officially be announced closer to the date.

Jon Tyler, board president, reiterated what he stated several months ago the board “needs to be as accommodating as possible and keep the best interests of the customer in mind.” Ed Ormsby suggested the board be invited to the engineering committee meeting to also make recommendations to be considered.

Steve Henschen, engineer with JPR, noted the initial review would be helpful for the board to see the numbers and changes could be made later on. He noted final decisions could be made as late as March. This report will show the technical aspects of the plan, including proposed pump systems and types of pumps.

During other business, the board authorized the payment up to $1,500 to Baker Tilly to explore the tax increment financing steps for the district. Chuck Simpson, board member, stated there are three issues the district would need to pass before a TIF application is sought. One such issue is a 1% test. This means researching to see if Plain or Tippecanoe townships has had less than 1% new growth in the last three years. “If we pass the 1% test we can seek approval from the county council and school corporations (Warsaw and Wawasee),” stated Simpson.

The board also approved the hiring of Andrew Boxberger, Fort Wayne, as the district’s legal counsel. Boxberger will replace Chad Miner, who will be sworn in as judge of Kosciusko County Superior Court 3.

Additionally a memorandum of understanding was signed with the city of Warsaw regarding the city taking on treatment duties for the sewer district. The MOU will be presented to the Warsaw Board of Public Works in the near future.

The next meeting of the district will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, in the party room of the North Webster Community Center.