TWSA review group to develop plan to share water, sewer expansion costs

WASP Committee reappointed

By Lisa Majors-Duff

But those services are the sole responsibility of TWSA, which must adhere to its own rules and planning procedures before it determines where to extend water and sewer, taking into consideration the entire system, said TWSA Chairman J.C. Alexander.

Although the county and its four incorporated towns named members to the TWSA review committee, Tuesday's meeting became a session mainly between Sylva, represented by Oliver, board member Lynda Sossamon and town attorney Eric Ridenour, and TWSA, represented by Alexander and Executive Director Jerry King.

Also present was John Fulk of Dillsboro. Absent were county Manager Jay Denton, Louise Bedford of Webster and Irene Hooper of Forest Hills.

"Historically, we have offered water and sewer to our residents," Oliver said, continuing the discussion of town-provided services in annexed areas. "It seems fair and right to offer that service to them."

"But if that's the town's commitment, then it's the town's responsibility," King responded.

In recent annexation agreements along the N.C. 107 corridor and in Moody Bottom, Sylva officials said water and sewer would be provided to property lines. But those plans were not discussed with TWSA officials in time to be included in the authority's budgeting and planning process, said King.

Looking toward the town's future annexation plans, Ridenour used Dillardtown as a hypothetical example of a community that needs improved water and sewer services.

"If we annex an area, and they need water and sewer, what do we do?" Ridenour asked.

"We are thinking of the needs of the people," Sossamon added.

"So are we," said King.

"But this authority is bigger than the town of Sylva," Alexander said.

The discussion continued back and forth, with Sylva officials asking why TWSA doesn't fund expansion projects, and TWSA officials responding that much of the authority's work in the last nine years has been dedicated to repairing and maintaining inferior equipment and lines. King again ran down a list of projects TWSA has under way or is considering as identified by a recently completed 20-year plan.

As for borrowing money for projects, which state statutes allow the authority to do, King said TWSA currently has all the debt payment it can afford. TWSA's next project, which King termed "critical," is an expansion of the Dillsboro wastewater treatment plant at an estimated cost of $4.2 million and a schedule of at least three years to completion.

The group agreed again that TWSA's Water and Sewer Planning Committee should be reactivated. Committee members would be charged with soliciting requests from the political subdivisions that formed TWSA and identifying funding sources for suggested projects.

The WASP Committee was officially reactivated later that day during the authority's regular meeting. The four TWSA members named to the committee are Mickey Luker, Jim Cochran, J.C. Alexander and Ann Cabe. The three at large members are Page Bernstein of Cashiers and Ian Pritchard of Forest Hills, who were both present and agreed to the appointment, and William Shelton of Whittier, who will be asked to serve.

The meeting earlier in the day also led to a conceptual plan to address funding expansion projects. As recommended by Fulk, the plan calls for a formula to be devised in which TWSA, the town in which an expansion is proposed and the new customers share in the cost of the project. Committee members agreed to contact Region A Planning in Bryson City for assistance.

The group further decided to review the TWSA consolidation agreement on a more regular basis and to "keep the lines of communication open" between the authority and the political subdivisions.

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