Aug. 28--Georgetown and New Albany are working to clarify the language of a new five-year contract regarding sewer service.

Thursday, Georgetown attorney D.A. Andrews appeared before the New Albany Sewer Board. At the heart of the conversation was the 3 percent a year increase Georgetown sewer customers would pay as part of the deal.

Three percent, which could tally 15 percent if Georgetown is still on New Albany's system in five years, isn't a problem, Andrews said. His concern was that if a rate hike is passed onto New Albany users in the future, Georgetown sewer customers won't have to pay a double increase.

"We don't want to end up at 25 percent," Andrews said.

New Albany sewer attorney Lee Buchanan explained Georgetown would be responsible for the higher of the totals.

"If we go up to 25 percent, they go up to 25 percent," he said.

For example, if New Albany were to pass a two percent increase in 2011, that wouldn't be added to the three percent raise Georgetown would already be paying.

"This is not going to function as a cap that puts Georgetown into a better position than everyone else," Andrews said.

Sewer board member Ed Wilkinson warned Andrews that if an emergency happens and sewer rates are increased substantially, Georgetown's fate will be the same as New Albany's.

"If something blows up and we have to raise rates, we have to raise rates," he said.

The suggested rate increase is far less than what Georgetown could have paid if the original contract, which expired earlier this year, had been upheld. It also called for a $450,000 penalty for remaining on New Albany's system.

Instead, New Albany is asking for Georgetown to pay $25,000 upfront along with the three percent rate increase.

When the sewer board first announced the terms Aug. 14, Georgetown Town Council President Billy Stewart said he appreciated New Albany re-working the deal.

"This is wonderful. It allows us to move forward," he said.

Castlewood engineering set

Stantec will engineer a plan to ease drainage problems around the Castlewood Drive area, the New Albany Stormwater Board decided Thursday.

Stantec is already on the city's payroll, charged with forming a masterplan for stormwater projects for New Albany.

Stantec's plan for Castlewood would include installing a retention pond near Mount Tabor Road and bigger pipes in the area at a cost of approximately $210,000, stormwater board member Gary Brinkworth said.

The cost would be about $500,000 less than other engineers' estimates the board received, Brinkworth added.

Stantec confirmed the Castlewood enhancement is the number one capital improvement project on its list, Brinkworth said. It will take a few months for engineering to be completed, and construction could start in December.

The $1 monthly increase in stormwater fees passed by the City Council last week will give the board enough money for the Castlewood construction.

But the board will likely have to take out a loan based on the potential fees, as they have not been collected and the utility doesn't have the funds to float the work, Brinkworth said.

Another round of pre-liens sent

New Albany Municipal Billing Director Kelly Welsh said Thursday 2,344 pre-lien notices were recently mailed out in an effort to collect $591,000 in debt.

The overdue bills are for sewer, stormwater and garbage services.

Several payments have already been received, Welsh said.

"The response has been tremendous," she said. "It's getting their attention."

New stormwater, sewer board member selected

Engineer Roger Harbison has been selected to fill the empty seat on the sewer and stormwater boards.

The spot on the three-member boards was vacated when Ron Carroll stepped down as chairman in July. Mayor Doug England appointed Don Sisloff to take Carroll's place, but he passed away before ever serving.

By ordinance, the mayor appoints all the members of the two utility boards.

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