Tippecanoe-Chapman Regional Sewer District President Jeff Thornburgh, left, signs the legal services agreement following the board’s Jan. 13 meeting, while Andrew Boxberger, district attorney, right, looks on. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Tippecanoe-Chapman Regional Sewer District has completed its construction of sewer service around the district. This was one of two milestones noted Monday, Jan. 13, at the board’s first meeting of 2025.

The second milestone, noted by Jeff Thornburgh, district president, was the volunteer board had spent five years to get to that point. He thanked the contractors, engineers, past and present board members for their support, hard work and time.

With the completion of the project, the engineer’s report included reports on permits and connections, as well as the deadline for residents to connect to the sewer system.

An operations report was also heard from Astbury. Steve Henschen, Jones Petrie Rafinski’s project engineer, reported 66% of the connections have been completed at Chapman Lake and 15.8% on Tippecanoe Lake West.

No connections have begun, as of yet, on the Tippecanoe Lake East project, which was just recently completed. The report states that of the 1,811 total connections, 552 have been completed.

It was noted permit fees received thus far has exceeded the inspection fees by JPR through the same time frame. The permit fees received through December 2024 totaled $210,000, while the JPR fees for inspection during that time totaled $200,932.09.

Henschen reminded the board the current deadline for connections to the system are: April 14 for those at Chapman Lake who could connect as of July 18, 2024; April 26 for those on Tippecanoe Lake West, who have been able to start connecting since Oct. 28, 2024; and July 13 for those on Tippecanoe Lake East, who could begin connections Jan. 14. Letters to those residences on the Tippecanoe Lake East area were mailed out Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Additionally, Henschen received approval for minor modifications/classifications to the guidelines for building sewer construction, based on comments from property owners and contractors as well as actual implementation experience and field practices.

He noted none of the changes will impact already-installed connections. It was noted that one contractor was found pumping groundwater from the trench being dug into the sewer system. A warning was issued to the contractor, who stated he was unaware that was not allowed. It was noted there is wording in the use ordinance prohibiting groundwater to be pumped into the sewer system. Emptying of septic systems into the new sewer system is also prohibited.

Henschen stated the modifications/classifications to the guidelines will be available online with the changes highlighted.

The board was made aware JPR is still awaiting revised design plans or drawings from the Tippy Heights development on Stanton Drive and The Oaks on the northeast side of Tippecanoe.

During Astbury Water Technology’s report, given by Matt Rippey, he reported spare parts left over from the project has been given to the district by one of the contractors, who will be added to the contractual required spare parts. Rippey stated these parts will be inspected to make sure they are in working order before added to the inventory.

He also reported there are seven grinder stations being stored at lift station No. 2. The total flow for the month of December was 1,183,500 gallons, with the average daily flow at 38,117 gallons per day. His report also included information on six service calls during December.

East Webster Update

Jacob Yahne, board member, reported surveys for the East Webster project were mailed with 25% response. The group is working on sending emails, making direct calls and reviewing lists to get more responses. They are shooting to get 50-60% response by the end of February.

Attorneys are reviewing the inter-local agreement between the Tippecanoe-Chapman Sewer District and Knapp Lake’s district.

Rowe reported he would have no financial updates until after the application deadline. Henschen stated they have completed the state revolving fund and preliminary engineering report and will be resubmitting the reports by the March 31 deadline.

It was suggested the county commissioners be asked for additional funds for the project as there is only $4,000 left of the $50,000 given by the commissioners for the project. Thornburgh noted the commissioners should be made aware of the diligence the district has been in its project to possibly support the financing effort for the project.

During other matters:

• Jacob Yahne was appointed to the finance committee.

• A meeting of the engineering committee will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the district office to discuss the possibility of a maintenance building, potentially utilizing remaining USDA funds for building. Unnamed other items will also be discussed.

• Heard from Jeff Rowe, Baker-Tilly, on the year-end financials. Rowe noted accounts are in good shape. He was also questioned about the 2025 budget, which he noted is being worked on and is in good shape for meeting the deadlines.

• A legal services agreement with Carson LLP was approved. The agreement increased the hourly attorney fees to $265 for all work outside of the project and USDA agreement.

The next meeting of the district will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at the North Webster Community Center.