From left, Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer Board member Kim Hathaway talks with Jones Petrie Rafinski representatives Jennifer Ransbottom and Steve Henschen about the East Webster sewer project, which made significant strides at the October meeting. Photo by Maksym Hart.

By Maksym Hart
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — The Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District Board moved the East Webster project closer to reality during its 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 meeting, approving financial steps, contractor recommendations and land access plans as the fast-tracked expansion continues under state funding deadlines.

Financial consultant, Jeff Rowe of Baker Tilly, reported the district’s 2023-24 audit had been finalized, clearing the way for upcoming loan closings with the State Revolving Fund.

Rowe said SRF interest rates had dropped roughly half a percentage point, allowing the district to project a 35-year loan at about 2.72% interest – one of the lowest rates available for infrastructure projects of this scale.

“These are still estimates until bids are received and finalized,” Rowe said, “but it’s good news that SRF’s rates continue to trend downward.”

Revised rate studies now estimate customer bills in the East Webster service area between $106 and $116 per month, up about $6 from last month’s projection, with an interim rate of roughly $70 during construction to cover debt and operating costs.

Rowe also noted the district’s bond anticipation note, or BAN, proposals are being finalized. After Columbus Day delays, final recommendations will follow once all proposals are received.

The board confirmed the bond ordinance already authorizes board President Jeff Thornburgh to execute the BAN when ready, allowing a closing by Monday, Oct. 27.

Engineer Steve Henschen of Jones Petrie Rafinski reported design work for the Webster Lake Service Area is about 20% complete, with topographic mapping at 75%.

The district’s legal counsel, Chris Nusbaum, presented easement document packets for board approval.

Each property owner will receive a customized packet, including deed information, connection guidance, and an invitation for one-on-one site visits, with mailings expected by early next week.

Henschen said construction “remains on schedule for summer (2026),” with customer hookups planned for mid-2027.

The engineering committee will meet in the coming weeks to review design details.

The board also voted to enter the scoping phase with Selge Construction, which scored highest among five bidders reviewed by the district’s competitive Build-Operate-Transfer scoring committee.

“This process lets us lock in a project budget by December,” Henschen said, “keeping us on track for a March financing close and April 2026 notice to proceed.”

No costs will be incurred during the scoping phase until a final contract is presented at a December public hearing.

“Everyone we’ve spoken to seems ready to go,” board member, Jacob Yahne said, referring to residents within the 230-property East Webster service area.

The board approved payment of $198,771.53 from the operations account and pre-approval for $128,066 in pending East Webster expenditures, to be disbursed once BAN funding is finalized later this month.

Other Items

Beyond East Webster updates, the board addressed several ongoing items across the district’s active projects.

• Henschen reported that, as of September’s end, about 83% of the district’s 1,811 properties have completed sewer connections. Roughly 300 properties still need connections, though an additional 100 permits are already filed and pending installation.
• The district recently mailed final notice letters outlining new deadlines: Contract A customers have until Dec. 31, 2025, Contract B customers until May 13, and Contract C customers have until June 29. If homeowners remain unconnected six months after their deadlines, the district will begin applying daily fines of $1.
• Astbury Water Management representative, Matt Rippey, presented odor mitigation proposals following repeated complaints at Lift Station 3. The board approved purchasing a PureAir carbon filtration scrubber for about $12,000, with annual filter media costs estimated between $3,000 and $6,000.
• Henschen noted the Tippecanoe Heights development sewer construction is nearly finished, while work resumed at The Oaks development.
• To improve public access, Jones Petrie Rafinski representative, Jennifer Ransbottom, announced updated office hours at the North Webster Community Center: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Wednesdays for property owners with connection or billing questions.

The Tippecanoe and Chapman Regional Sewer District Board will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the North Webster Community Center, 301 N. Main St., North Webster.