Sewer upgrades discussed at Sunman mtg.

Prior to the Saturday Town Meeting, more items were placed on the agenda to be discussed. The Sunman Sanitary Sewer Plan has many details to be finalized.

The path of the sewer-lines will cross highway 101, and run from Sunman to Penntown. The meeting started at 9:00 a.m. Project overview and incentives were discussed prior to the scheduled 10:00 a.m. start time.

At 10:00 a.m., after a brief break, the second half of the meeting was called to order. Property owners affected by easement and sewer line placement on their property are offered a $2500 access/tap fee waived.

The tap/access fee of $2500 to be waived is good for three years. After three years, even the property owners providing easement must pay the tap/access fee.

Lori A Young, P.E., President and Jill Curry, Project Manager, for Curry & Associates, Inc., tried to assuage concerns. Driveways will be accessible throughout the project. Once implemented, project sub-contractors will level and repair any damage to slope, drain tiles, or other existing structures on easement property.

There will be an allotment of time to allow natural settling and shifting of replaced dirt. After such time, and as weather permits, ground will be leveled, grass will be planted, and/or plants replaced that are non-intrusive to the sewer-lines.

After implementation and repairs for damage caused by implementation, property owners are solely responsible for maintaining and up-keep of easement.

If the town of Sunman would need to access any lines for repair or maintenance, they have right-of-way to the easement and will make all repairs for damages made to maintain the lines, at the time of repairs or after as required for natural settling.

The Town of Sunman and Project Managers are seeking competitive bids to bore under the highway along the access route so neighbors across highway 101 can access the sanitary sewer also. The hope is that they will be able to cover the boring under the highways with the grant providing this upgrade.

Each property owner accessing the new sanitary sewer lines will be required to purchase and maintain a grinder pump system that is placed in their yard and feeds the sewage into the low-pressure 2-4” line used.

The question was asked, “Isn’t a 2-4” line awfully small for sewage?” Young (with Curry & Associates, Inc.) responded that was why everyone accessing the system must use a grinder pump system. Another attendee provided “A one inch low pressure line, at 20 psi, can move 900 gallons/minute.

Property owners will be required to purchase and have the grinder pump installed themselves. A licensed contractor must implement the grinder pump as it accesses the main sewer lines. The “Town” must approve the connection.

Another option is a “Town” approved list of contractors to implement the grinder pump and install. Along with the installation costs and purchases, one must decommission their existing septic system.

Ripley Co. has an ordinance that outlines the decommission of septic systems. It must be pumped empty. The septic container is then back-filled with gravel/sand. Once completed the Ripley Co. Health Dept. must inspect and see a receipt for pumping the system. There is no decommissioning of the leech lines or “fingers.”

The sewage bills will be based on Hoosier Hills water usage. However, if you have a well, your bill will be estimated on the minimum usage billed to town residents without a well.

The Town of Sunman must receive the signed easement contracts to finalize the project details. It is hoped all easement contracts will be finalized by May.

If these details fall into place, the project is scheduled to begin in August or September. The lofty goal is that the project will be completed by the end of 2024.