Steve Henschen, project engineer for Jones Petrie Rafinski, and Matt Rippey, area manager for Astbury Water Technology, discuss a few matters before the February meeting of the Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District. Astbury oversees the operation of the district’s system. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Jacob Yahne, who is overseeing the East Webster Sewer Project for the Tippecanoe-Chapman Regional Sewer District, reported the group now has 54% in responses on parcels in that project.

Yahne gave an update on the project during the monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 10, of the Tippecanoe-Chapman Regional Sewer District.

He noted the group is working on getting a few more soil samples on Sunday morning from parcels and should be close to 60% on the samples.

“Some of the larger properties are within the range that we would want them to be in, but the Miller’s Landing is the area that is really saturated. The wells are literally on top of the septic systems. I think that is probably the target area to look after,” explained Yahne.

Additionally, Yahne stated last fall, the group had started pursuing getting the project rated at the top of the list. Currently, there is not a lot going on in that area these days, according to Yahne, which is bad news.

The good news is the State Revolving Fund. Since there are limited earmarks or no earmarks going through Congress or Senate, the Indiana Revolving Fund should have more funds, Yahne feels the project should be able to be elevated and get more funds.

Jeff Thornburgh, TCRSD board president, asked if they will have 60% of the spots on the survey, what portion in Miller’s Landing would be in violation of the well/septic measurement?

Yahne noted it will be “a greater percentage as this is where most of the homes are concentrated … where the majority of the issue is with the lack of separation between the wells and septic.” He stated moving toward the southwest, the lots are longer and there is not as much in those areas as what you will find on the northeast.

Jones Petrie Rafinski, the engineers, and Baker Tilly will continue working with the group on funding and the preliminary engineering report, which is due March 31.

Maintenance Building?

The district’s engineering committee discussed building a maintenance building with remaining funds from the project at its meeting Jan. 22. Steve Henschen, project engineer, stated they are working on budget numbers and if USDA Rural Development is willing to fund the construction. He said it should be known by the end of February if it will be funded.

An engineering committee meeting will be held at 5 p.m. March 10, with a recommendation presented at the regular board meeting later that evening.

The committee also denied a request by Robert and Elaine Kokenge, EMS C22 Lane, to keep the existing septic system after connecting to the district’s system. It was noted it was not allowed by law for any property owner to keep a septic system once connected to the district’s sewer system.

During Henschen’s report it was noted 67.9% of customers on Chapman Lake have connected to the system with 23.2% at Tippecanoe Lake west, and 1.1% at Tippecanoe Lake East projects.

Additionally, he stated JPR will be scheduling warranty inspection reviews with Selge and Niblock, the contractors, in the spring.

The board was given updates on two proposed developments within the service area. Initial review of design plans for Tippy Heights on Teeple Drive and Stanton Road, and The Oaks (former Baptist Church Camp) have been completed and the board gave authorization for Thornburgh to sign the capacity certification upon acceptance of the final design plans.

Tippy Heights will include an additional 40, single-family residential lots with an average design flow of 12,400 gallons per day. The Oaks will connect six new homes. The property was included in the original project, but will now serve six new homes instead of a camp. The average design flow will be 1,800 gallons per day.

Henschen stated the system does have the capacity for the two developments.

Connection deadlines for the three projects were noted. Chapman Lake’s deadline is April 14; Tippecanoe Lake West is April 26; and the recently- completed Tippecanoe Lake East project will be July 13.

During other business, the board was presented an update to the use ordinance addressing procedures for a disconnect from the system in the future. A hearing will be held at the March 10 meeting. A disconnect from the system will require a $250 fee for a permit and $50 inspection fee.

The board also signed an easement encroachment agreement for 95 EMT 26B Lane, with the homeowner also signing a waiver that the district would not be responsible for any damage to the property.

Jerry Martin and Randal Sarasson, of EMS T5 Lane, both expressed post- construction problems in their areas. Henschen asked they both get with him to discuss the issues further to find a resolution.

Martin will also be speaking with Henschen regarding generators to power the system as standalone generators will not work. It was noted should there be a power outage, customers should contact operations and that phone number is noted on the control panel.