Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District President Jon Tyler, left, discusses some matters with Chuck Simpson, board vice president and Kim Hathaway, board treasurer, prior to the meeting Monday, May 10. InkFreeNews photo by Deb Patterson

By Deb Patterson
Staff Writer

NORTH WEBSTER — “We need to do what’s best for the people we serve,” said Bob Weaver who was joined by Chuck Simpson in indicating waiting one more year may be needed “to do it the right way.”

The two men are board members of the Tippecanoe & Chapman Regional Sewer District who voiced opinions during Monday evening’s meeting, May 10, along with Jeff Thornburgh on the need to take a look at the use of a vacuum system in addition to the pressure system.

More than one hour was spent discussing what a change in direction on systems could do to the district’s chance of getting funds from the state revolving fund and USDA Rural Development Fund. The district’s preliminary engineering report, based solely on the pressure system, has been submitted to the SRF officials with notice of funding commitment expected in July or early August.

The final decision by the board, with a vote of 6-1, was to continue the path using a low-pressure system, with the exploration of comparing a pressure system to a vacuum system and move as soon as possible on the exploration. Jon Tyler voted in opposition.

A future meeting to hear presentations on both systems could be held as early as Monday, May 17.

Tyler noted several times throughout the discussion this project has been 20 years in the making, and he did not want to see it wait another year. He noted the pressure system would be less costly than the vacuum and felt the district should continue going in the direction it has been going. He also said the district has one opportunity, a unique opportunity to get it done right. “I don’t know if we will have the funding in another year.”

The discussion began following Steve Henschen, project engineer with Jones Petrie Rafinski, presenting minutes from an April 27 district board engineering committee meeting where two collection system options included in the PER were discussed. The discussion followed a trip by several board members to Tri-Lakes Regional Sewer District that uses a hybrid system of vacuum and pressure.

The favorable points of the vacuum system were discussed in detail by the committee. This included lower operation and maintenance costs; no electrical at vacuum pits serving the homes; and many vacuum systems were installed between the lake and the house, perhaps making it less costly for homeowner connections.

However, Henschen presented the overall construction and operation cost was at $41 million for a 100% low-pressure system, $44 million for a hybrid system (60% using vacuum and 40% pressure) and $48 million for vacuum. It was noted it is known there are some areas the vacuum system could not be used.

Kim Hathaway, board member, stated they “need to exhaust all possibilities for the homeowners.” Ed Ormsby agreed “we need to do the system right, that’s more important than delaying a year if the feeling is we’re not doing it right.”

Dewatering, terrain, environmental impact, and computation of the operating and maintenance cost figures were among the topics discussed. Also noted was the fact AirVac has never spoken to anyone, including the board, about the system. “Nobody has come here to say how it works,” stated Weaver.

Henschen made it known JPR is not a pro-pressure system and anti-vacuum system. They were looking at the design from an engineering standpoint. “Ultimately if you want to go vacuum, we will do it,” he said.

Henschen stated that if the board changes its preliminary engineering plan there would be no way a switch could be made at this point and still receive funding from the state this year.

The discussion then led to questioning why the switch couldn’t be made, informing the SRF officials of a potential change in the PER. “So much has already been done with the pressure design, it will be nearly impossible to add the vacuum system and meet the commitment (set by the state),” said Henschen.

Henschen presented an engineering update from JPR. This report showed work is progressing in various areas. Easement notifications are still expected to be sent out in June. A rate report update from Baker Tilly is expected in June.

Henschen did announce a schedule has been devised regarding JPR staff being available in the district’s office in the North Webster Community Center. This would allow stakeholders the opportunity to come into the office and get questions answered. The proposed hours would be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8:30-11:30 a.m. every other Saturday.

The hours would begin mid-July and go through possibly the end of September.