Timothy Woodward played the board a short video explaining how the specially designed valve can open or close in a locked position to allow easier access to the lines. This device will allow the district to be compliant with DHS regulations without shutting off water access to customers. Photo by Chelsea Los.

By Chelsea Los
InkFreeNews

CROMWELL — As the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District forges ahead with sewers for Northshore and Eastshore drives, the small projects and plans that make up day-to-day life for the district keeps the crew busy. The board met Monday, Feb. 21, to review monthly happenings, approve bills, and talk relief and planning for their customers.

TCRSD held its first construction meeting for the Syracuse sewers last month, and wanted to remind their customers even though there aren’t visual signs of a kicked-off project, the planning, purchasing and delivering is a huge first step that is already happening in the background. Customers are beginning to pay the monthly fees since the project is officially underway, and the district and engineers feel once true digging begins the flurries of activity will be huge.

Jeff Hersha and John Magsam of Jones & Henry were onsite Monday evening to chat about updates to both the additional sewers, as well as the new requirements from the Department of Homeland Security. Locals may recall DHS visited the district to flag an unmet requirement for its water tanks. Although the tanks at TCRSD aren’t heated or pressurized, they fell between the cracks and must be maintained as though they are.

District superintendent Timothy Woodward met with a small company to design a custom valve that will allow the district to meet regulations without shutting off water to homes. The original design would have required more than eight hours without water, meaning the district would need to provide bottled water to each and every customer affected. This method is what Woodward called a “live tap.”

Hersha and Magsam reported the plan for fully extending sewers to all of Vawter Park is about 80-90% complete, meaning homeowners in that area will see communication soon. Magsam also presented the final agreement with CSX to allow the district to bore underneath railways within the ESNS project boundaries. The board will pay a $3,700 fee, with an estimated $1,200 to be reimbursed.

“How soon can you write that check,” joked Magsam, noting the fewer delays the better. Hersha was pleased with the progress of deliveries and orders for the new sewers, adding “deliveries across the board on all projects are a challenge.”

Perhaps in timely fashion, Andrew Boxberger, Carson LLP, presented the board with an agreement to participate in a state-funded assistance program. Participation in the Low Income Water Assistance Water Program prevents the district from turning off water (or sewer) services to households who have enrolled, and establishes a safe way for customers who may be struggling to pay their bills to find help. The program is at no cost and no risk to TCRSD, and the board signed enthusiastically.

Information on how to apply for the program will be posted on TCRSD’s website, www.tcrsd.com.

The board will meet again Monday, March 21, at the office, located at 4852 N. 1200W, Cromwell. Meetings are open to the public and begin promptly at 7 p.m.