First Tennessee First to Step Up

I just heard from the good folks at First Tennessee. They are the first lender to officially step to our aid! From Zane Martin with First Tennesee's Grassland Office:

Mr. Colella,

First off let me apologize for the delay in responding. Mark Cornelius and I have been in discussion with the county bank president, Randy Houston and our head of loan underwriting in Williamson County, Nancy Brown about the current situation in Grassland. We are very excited about helping; to the point that we are going to be able to provide a special loan program to the residents of the Grassland community for sewer connections to the house and pump installation. We will provide more specific information as we move forward.

First Tennessee Bank is committed to supporting our community and look forward to talking with you in more detail about the sewer project. Please feel free to call me to schedule a time to discuss your questions.

Best Regards,

Zane

R. Zane Martin
First Tennessee Brokerage, Inc.
Financial Center Manager & Registered Rep.
Grassland Office
Franklin, TN 37069
615.791.0498 Office
615.790.3069 Fax

Fieldstone Farms Meeting

Earlier tonight, a small team of our neighborhood representatives and a county official met with the Fieldstone Farms homeowners association to discuss the easements needed to connect the Grassland Sewer Project to the Lynwood Utility District.

The Fieldstone Farms folks were very welcoming and sympathetic to our cause. It was a pleasure to discuss the situation with them.

A big thanks to our good neighbors in Fieldstone Farms!

Good Neighbors

From dictionary.com:

neigh·bor –noun

1. a person who lives near another.
2. a person or thing that is near another.
3. one's fellow human being: to be generous toward one's less fortunate neighbors.
4. a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans: to be a neighbor to someone in distress

Are you, like me, concerned for those in our neighborhoods that are on fixed or moderate incomes? Perhaps the elderly are on your mind? Perhaps those among us struggling to make ends meet? How can they afford to join the Grassland Sewer Project?

You are not alone.

37069 UNITED! recognizes the need to solve the very real financial needs of our neighbors. Rest assured we are discussing it, concerned about it, and will do everything in our power to work with the county to solve these issues in a truly neighborly way.

Solutions can, and will, be found by working together in a spirit of collaboration and care. No one will be left behind.

You Have Seven (7) Years To Tap With No Additional Costs

In case you had not heard...

If the project is approved, residents will have up to seven (7) years to connect to the system at no additional cost. The Lynwood taps will be held for you, and the system will be available for you when you are ready.

Each resident will still be accountable for the initial installation expense @ $3,956 per household. This is the cost of laying the main lines. All homeowners pay this, even if you don't connect. The county will allow monthly payments $24.97 @ 4% interest.

Bottom line: $24.97/month buys you seven (7) years to make up your mind.

What Can $24.97 a Month Buy You?

I've received a number of e-mails with the same common concern: "I want to do this, but I just cannot afford it." For example:

I understand you have increased the warranty for the new system, and that's great! However, a good warranty doesn't do me any good if I can't afford the system. Please give me an exact detail of what it's going to cost and where I get the money to pay for this. We have 2 students in college. I'm working 2 jobs and so is my husband to make ends meet now. How in the world do we afford another $17,000 bill...unless there is a way to afford this, we won't be adding another bill to the already long list. Let me know what you can do to help us in this situation, because I do understand the increase in value if your property does have sewer and water.

While I share this concern, and will work very hard with the Financing Team and Vendor Negotiation Team to help, I have come to an epiphany of sorts: I cannot afford to miss this opportunity. You see, $24.97 a month not only buys me the right to join the Grassland Sewer Project, it will protect my property value and it may even accelerate my home's appreciation for years to come.

Let me break it down for you:

• The minimum cost for a homeowner is $24.97/month. This fee funds the build out of the septic system, but not your costs to tie in. It provides your neighbor with the opportunity to tie in if their septic system is failing.
• You may be asking "what do I care if their septic tank fails? That is their problem, not mine." Technically yes, you are right. However, consider what will happen to your property value if your neighbor has a bad septic system and cannot get it fixed. Come to think of it, not just your immediate neighbor, but anyone in your neighborhood...or a home in any of the affected areas for that matter.
  
• One - just one - irreparable septic system will likely cause every one's home value to decline. Imagine two, or three, or ten. Imagine trying to sell your home then. At the very least, a smart buyer will want the seller to compensate the buyer for taking on the risk of your septic failing. That will most likely take the form of a lower offer price.
  
• The truth is that our areas are already considered risky because of the reputation of our septic problems. Ask any honest Realtor and they will tell you the same thing: avoid these areas if you can because the septic systems are failing. Our Realtor told us this 12+ years ago. The problem has only worsened since then.
• This fear has already suppressed home values in the affected areas. The benefits of huge yards, great location, excellent schools, etc have not been fully valued by the market because of nasty, disease-ridden effluent in our yards. That is the cold, hard truth.
  

So, what does $24.97 a month do for me? Sure, it solves the problem for my neighbor. But I take away the only objection to living in the affected areas. Therefore, I benefit by unlocking the pent-up demand for homes here...and protect, even accelerate, the value of my home.

$24.97/month is a small price to pay for such awesome benefits. I'll take that deal any day!

Questions From a Neighbor

If you or your neighbors have questions about the Grassland Sewer Project, please take the time to write 37069 United! and we will help you get the answers you need.

Polly Wright of Colt Lane wrote me with a number of great questions. I'd bet she's not the only one with these questions, so I've paraphrased her questions and quoted my answers for all to read:

Q: Shouldn't we call this the Berry's Chapel Sewer Project? Could you change the name to better reflect the area?

A: Regarding the name of the project, the county is referring to it as the "Grassland Sanitary Sewer Project." You are probably right that it would be better to call it the Berry's Chapel project. However, I am going to keep in-step with the official name of the project to avoid confusion. Therefore, we will continue to call it the Grassland Sewer Project.

Q: I heard that the Highgate subdivision had a sewer installed and it was very inexpensive. Is that true?

A: I will do some research into the Highgate subdivision and get back to you. Our hope is that by negotiating together we can significantly lower the costs of the project. As you can tell, we've already gotten a 250% improvement in the grinder warranty. That is just the start!

Q: Can Lynwood handle our waste? Haven't they had a lot of problems over the years?

A: Regarding Lynwood, you are right that they have had a number of problems over the years. However, I have confirmed that they invested a significant sum in a large capital expansion and modernization project. They have almost 500 taps reserved for our project plus enough capacity to handle the waste.

Q: I've heard that residents of Cottonwood pay a lot for sewer. Will we have to pay more than them?

A: Regarding your Cottonwood question, there are a number of factors that contribute to monthly sewer costs including the volume of waste water that is processed. The lowest cost for our neighborhoods is $24/month, which is what it would cost to install the main lines, but not hook up. The cost per month would increase as you hook up and process waste. [Note: Please review the official "cost elements" document]

It is likely that any costs incurred by this project would be offset by increased home values. In fact, some real estate brokers are claiming that Meadowgreen/Hillsboro Acres home values might jump by as much as 50%. Farmington could also see healthy appreciation.

Q: Please define a failing septic system for me. Is it really a serious problem?

A: I will try to get a more specific description of a failed septic system, but I think it is safe to assume it is akin to "a system that will no longer process waste water in a sanitary way." It is indeed a health issue and it is serious. [Note: read more about the seriousness of this problem here]

Q: I've lived here a long time and my septic tank works. I've taken care of it, and its hardly needed any help over the years. Why can't people just learn how to take care of theirs? It's not that hard to do, and is a lot cheaper.

A: My septic tank, like yours, is healthy. However, my neighbor's is not, and, despite his best efforts to service and maintain his system, his land won't perk. Therefore, he pumps his family's waste into his yard, my yard, and other neighbors' yards. The stench is terrible in the summer. It is a health threat to his children and my son. The problem is not the way he cares for the system, nor the many repairs he's made, nor his desire to fix the problem. The fact is simple - his land will no longer process his waste. His land is too rocky, too small, too clay packed, etc to handle the waste any more. More and more neighbors are experiencing this, and it hurts all property values.

Again, if you have questions or comments, please write us at 37069 United! and we will get the answers you need.

Wanted: Healthy Spetic System Owners Who Support the Project

If you, like me, have a healthy septic system but still support the project, tell us why. Here are a few questions to frame your response:

• What is your name and address? (optional)
• In which neighborhood do you live?
  
• How long have you owned your home?
• Does your septic system work well?
• What are the main reasons why you support the Grassland Sewer Project?
  
• In your mind, what are the benefits of the project? How do you justify the cost?
  

Email stories to jim.colella@gmail.com

How can I let the county know I support this if I am not required to remit an easement approval?

The Uhrig family on Brookside asked this great question:

• Q: How can I let the county know I support this project, when I am not required to send an easement approval?
• A: Simple! Call, email or write Kristi Earwood with Harpeth Law. She is keeping a master list of those who support the project - including those residents who support the project, but are not required to submit an easement release.
  

Kristi can be reached at:

Kristi D. Earwood
Harpeth Law Group, PLLC
2187 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, Tennessee 37069
Phone (615) 595-7776
Fax (615) 595-2779
Reply to: kearwood@harpethlaw.com

Your "vote" matters - please contact Kristi soon!

We have our first notary!

Suzanne Jeffers of Derby Lane is a notary. She is willing to notarize easement documents at no charge. You can reach her at (615)714-1715.

Thank you Suzanne!

Septic Tank Problems Around The World

Here are just a few headlines from around the world. As you will see, the septic tank problem is widespread and impacts many communities:

1. Failing septic tanks cited as major issue in Ohio
2. Lax Septic Tank Oversight Brews Health Hazards in Metro Atlanta
3. Failing septic tanks investigated for E.coli outbreak in Kentucky
4. Ireland finds that failing septic systems source of E.coli
5. Failing septic tanks contribute to Lake Helena (Montana) watershed problems
6. Colorado residents demand help for failing septic systems
7. Washington shellfish industry fears contamination from various sources including... you guessed it.
8. Australia has problems too
9. Modesto, CA problems
10. Raw Sewage in Puget Sound
11. Fairfax County, VA
12. E.coli difficult to repair in KY
13. 100 private wells contaminated in North Carolina
14. Areas across U.S. Work to Avert Crises Sparked by Septic Systems

Septic Tank Testimonies Wanted

If you've had problems with your septic tank, tell us about it.

Here are a few questions to frame your story:

• What is your name and address? (optional)
• In which neighborhood do you live?
  
• How long have you owned your home?
• When did you first notice problems?
• What steps have you taken to fix your septic system?
  
• Did the fixes work? How much did it cost?
• How has your failing septic tank affected your family and/or your neighbors?

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