Cashiers residents stall TWSA, developers' deal

Board agrees to public hearing for more discussion

By Rose Hooper

The Cashiers contingency was so large - approximately 100 strong - that the meeting had to be moved to a Jackson County courtroom. Also strong in number were the 804 Cashiers residents' signatures on a petition expressing their opposition "to the present plans for expansion of the Cashiers Sewage Treatment Plant as presented by a group of developers."

"All of us, including the chamber board, agree that the Cashiers Sewage Treatment Plant needs expansion to meet the current demands of our community and to insure that the waters of the Chattooga River, a congressionally-designated wild and scenic river, remain unspoiled," said spokesperson Vanna Montgomery as she presented the petition to the TWSA board. "We are, however, definitely opposed to the plan before you tonight."

That plan, described by TWSA Executive Director Jerry King, is a proposal by several Cashiers developers to purchase and install a used sewer treatment plant currently owned by Pete Duty and Associates in Mooresville. The 200,000-gallon plant would double Cashiers current 100,000 gallon capacity.

For putting up the $1 million needed to purchase the plant, the developers want 80,000 gallons of the additional 100,000 gallons for their own use. The remaining 20,000 gallons would be available to the Cashiers public on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, King said, the developers have agreed to upgrade three pump stations at a cost of $80,000 each to handle the increased flow. The developers, known only as a limited liability corporation, or LLC, also want to be reimbursed for initial tap-on fees at a rate of $10 per gallon. For an average three-bedroom house, that one-time fee would be around $3,600, just about double the current TWSA rates, King said.

The developers would have two years to complete the construction. Upon installation and certification, the developers would execute a bill of sale for the plant to TWSA. The proposal would cease in five years.

Bucking even before the chute was open, Cashiers resident Linton Waterhouse objected to the entire meeting since none of the contingency received a copy of the proposal.

Attorney Bill Coward, who represents the developers, responded that much of the opposition to the proposal was "unjust" and "from those who don't know what is going on."

"Everybody knows we have a current moratorium on sewer in Cashiers. My clients own property and can't develop it. You who have buttons saying 'No,' I ask you, what is the alternative?" Coward said.

"One earlier suggestion was for TWSA to float a bond, but they told us no - that we need to come up with our own plan. So a group of businessmen who own property along the sewer line got together to raise money for a plant expansion. My clients, like Buddy Smith, don't have money to just give away. They need some reimbursement for their million-dollar investment," Coward continued.

"That's why they are asking that a certain number of gallons, but not all, be reserved for those who put up the money. I've asked others of you to step forward, to put up the money, to join in the effort, but you've refused. So what's your alternative?

"One way to solve all of your concerns is for you to incorporate," said Coward. "You only need 15 percent of the people and you certainly have that energy here tonight. Incorporation would be your opportunity to help guide Cashiers in a cohesive community effort - and you wouldn't have to rely on a board from Sylva to make your decisions. And, I bet, if you incorporated, the TWSA board will give you that sewer treatment plant."

King and other TWSA members nodded affirmatively.

Buddy Smith, the only other person in the packed courtroom to speak in favor of the proposal, said, "We've worked on this for many years... first with the chamber and now as a group of businessmen. The overall proposal is to help Cashiers in many ways... not just development, but for those of you who have failing septic tanks. Cashiers is growing and we can't stop the growth."

But there were those in the audience who did, indeed, wish to prevent growth in Cashiers. Wilson Whitaker said he moved to the area three years ago to "get away from rapid, unplanned development. This plan would threaten the character of our village. I would like to see Cashiers develop in a planned manner and not explode into something we will regret."

"I don't care how many engineers look at this plant, it will come with inherent problems," said Hamilton Arnold about the used plant. "You are failing to execute the duties of your office if you know about the sewage overflow, the groundwater contamination and unsafe conditions in Cashiers but aren't doing anything about it."

Agreeing, Samuel Dunn added, "You shouldn't put private developers in jeopardy of losing their money. It is your responsibility to build the plant and you can do it, if you want to. Part of the problem is that TWSA has no representation from Cashiers on its board." TWSA member Marion Jones pointed out that only incorporated communities have representation on the TWSA board.

Representing both the Chattooga Conservancy and the Southern Environmental Law Center, Buzz Williams told the board he was willing to fight the issue in court.

"I respect that you [will] not make any decision until each of us is informed, and that includes having the necessary documents to review," Williams said.

Montgomery also urged the board to not make any quick decision, but to allow the petitioners "to work with you to develop a plan that is fair to all of the present and future residents of Cashiers."

TWSA member Joe Carter proposed printing a copy of the proposal in the Cashiers newspaper and, within 30 days, scheduling a public hearing on the issue. That motion carried by the full board and received a round of applause from the audience.

On consensus by the board, Vice Chairman Mickey Luker, in charge of Tuesday night's meeting in Chairman J.C. Alexander's absence, agreed that the hearing will be held in the Cashiers area.

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