El Bayadi seeks Dillsboro's help with sewer expansion

By Rose Hooper

Bridgers was talking about Nagui El Bayadi's 7.6 acres on Business 23 between Sylva and Dillsboro. The property lies just within the Dillsboro town limits. El Bayadi has plans to develop the property but can't without sewer hookup. While the property has water, it is the "missing link" for sewer service between Sylva and Dillsboro.

When El Bayadi asked TWSA board members for assistance during their January meeting, the board told him that any sewer line expansion on that property would be at El Bayadi's expense. They suggested he hire a civil engineer to determine those costs.

He took their suggestion and hired civil engineer Manfred Judernatz of Otto Engineering, who developed a cost estimate of $19,740 to connect the property with the nearest TWSA sewer line by going under the road and down the embankment. That figure includes 100 feet of 4-inch main sewer for a total of $800, 8-inch steel casing pipe at $3,000, a 6-inch sewer tap at $2,500 and a duplex pumping station at $12,500, for a subtotal of $18,800. With 5 percent for contingencies, the figure is right at $20,000 ­ a figure Vice Mayor Reg Moody said TWSA could recoup in two years.

In its policy, TWSA will not extend water or sewer services to individuals unless those individuals "...pay the entire cost for or otherwise provide easements and rights of way sufficient for the construction, operation, repair and expansion of the water system or sewer system, including sufficient isolation from the adjoining facilities within or without the boundaries of such easement or right of way."

El Bayadi told the Dillsboro board he owned the right of way, which he was willing to give to TWSA. Bridgers further pointed out that in its 1992 agreement with Dillsboro, Sylva and the county, TWSA maintained that "the authority shall have no obligation to expand or improve any system or to give priority to expanding or improving any one system.

"The decision as to whether or not the authority is to construct or provide financing for extension or expansion of any system shall be in the sole discretion of the authority, with due consideration given to the Capital Improvements Plan. Should the authority agree to construct extensions not included in the Capital Improvements Plan, the cost of such construction or financing, including any debt service, shall be paid by the political subdivision which requested such construction or financing.

"The authority may share in the costs of expanding or improving any system with a political subdivision," the 1992 agreement says.

Dillsboro does not have its own water and sewer authority and as a town does not provide water and sewer to its residents or businesses. Each request to Dillsboro for assistance with obtaining water and sewer service is considered by the board on an individual basis. El Bayadi asked that Dillsboro pay the $20,000 sewer service connection fee or share the costs with TWSA.

Board members Monday night agreed El Bayadi's case rated extra merit because of the development potential it would have for Dillsboro's tax base. El Bayadi said his plans include "a doctor's office ­ maybe two, a drug store, and Ray Nations will have a flower shop there." "Dillsboro has a commitment to help you," said Moody, who was presiding in the absence of Mayor Wade Wilson. "We don't have a lot of money and we don't put any up front, but our plans are to reimburse based on tax revenue."

Bridgers said as soon as a solution is found for the missing sewer service link, "Nagui can start building right away."

Meanwhile, town clerk Herb Nolan said at tonight's (Thursday's) joint meeting of the county and municipalities, he will suggest that "water and sewer expansion and costs should be shared with the towns, county and TWSA." That meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the Commissioner's Board Room at the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 02/15/01.