Andrew Boxberger, attorney for the Tippecanoe & Chapman Regional Sewer District, sets up the necessary equipment for those wanting to attend the meeting via Zoom. Shown in the background are board members Chuck Simpson, Brian Davison and Ed Ormsby. InkFreeNews photo by Deb Patterson

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Various decisions have been made by the Tippecanoe & Chapman Regional Sewer District board during its 20 months of existence. But its next decision will affect the establishment of rates for its customers.

Andrew Boxberger, sewer district attorney, started the discussion on setting equivalent dwelling units classifications. While single-family homes will have set EDUs, other areas need to be established such as those for campgrounds, mobile homes, mobile home parks, condominiums, camps, guest homes, recreational vehicles, businesses, restaurants, churches, industries, and schools will need to be classified and EDUs established.

“There’s a lot of issues,” Boxberger stated, noting the majority of mobile homes and campground facilities are used as seasonal homes. Boxberger recommended a clear definition between campgrounds and mobile homes as well as mobile home courts. He stated most mobile home courts have a shared infrastructure and would be different than individual mobile homes.

Ken Jones, Jones Petrie Rafinski, noted once the EDU designations are established his firm as well as members of Baker Tilly will go back out and recount those gray areas.

Boxberger noted a mobile home is considered a home that can be used year-round. “It’s no different than a home a homeowner chooses to use only in the summer.” He pointed out a 2018 ruling by the state court of appeals that was clear the district can set its own definition of a campground and mobile home.

Additionally, there was discussion on allowing a provision for guest houses and potentially treating those as separate residences or requiring a separate grinder pump be installed should the property ever be sold separately. Boxberger stated some districts have provisions allowing special rates, others do not.

Other areas were also discussed. A committee consisting of board members Jeff Thornburgh, Chuck Simpson and Bob Weaver, will meet to further discuss the EDUs, making a recommendation to the board in the next several months.

During the public portion of the meeting, Robert Paton, Patona Bay Resort and Melrose Park, presented the state’s definition of a campground, recreational vehicles and vacation mobile homes as prepared for him by his attorney, Steve Snyder. Paton asked the board to review the state definitions adding the campgrounds do not have permanent structures or year-round occupancy.

During other business, the board approved the cost of $105,874 on the acquisition of five locations for lift stations. One of the sites includes 1 acre of land which could include a small office and a building in the future. All but one of the homeowners have signed the purchase agreements.

The board also accepted its first exception request from a homeowner.

Documents required by the USDA were signed and included a conflict of interest policy, approval of district by laws and a legal services agreement.

Daniel Byam, JPR engineer, presented the engineering update in which all projects are moving forward as planned. It was noted another mailing of easement acquisition documents will take place to those who have not responded. Approximately 500 easement agreements have been received out of approximately 2,459 parcels that require the agreements.

The next public meeting of the board will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, in the North Webster Community Center.