Focus on Permanent Easments

It is very important that homeowners respond to permanent easement requests promptly.

Kristi Earwood is turning around easement revisions very quickly. There seems to be no bottleneck at Harpeth Law.

Bo Butler and SSR are trying to reach property owners who desire an engineering review. It is up to you to stay in touch with Bo Butler and SSR. Please, do not let this important next step slip through the cracks. We need six more permanent easements by 7/1.

However, we are watching the response time of engineering reviews very closely. We will not tolerate the county or any agency of the county missing the 7/1 deadline.

GOAL ACHIEVED! 60% of Temp Easements Reached!

Now, on to the seven ...make that six... five outstanding permanent easements.

Then...phase 2 of our project.

Only One (1) Temporary Easement Needed

Today's count: 1 Temp, 8 Perm needed. We are well on our way to achieving our goal.

Phase II starting as soon as we get official word of 60% approval.

Monticello wants to head off septic tank failures through annexation, at a cost of over $18,000 per household. Read it here. Interestingly, Monticello's property tax will rise significantly by being annexed into Franklin.

I like our solution much better. Here's the text:

Tuesday, 05/22/07

Monticello subdivision asks for annexation into Franklin

By KEVIN WALTERS
Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — The homeowners in the Monticello neighborhood say they want to be annexed by the city.

Jim Mayes, president of the Monticello Home Owners Association, reports that subdivision’s homeowners voted last week overwhelmingly in support of annexation.

"That was a strong showing, and we know their voice has been heard," Mayes said.

Four sections of the Monticello subdivision, which was first developed in the 1960s, have septic systems which would be replaced with the creation of a special assessment district. A newer fifth section currently receives sewer service from the city.

Homeowners in the special assessment district would pay on average $18,250 over a 20-year period for the project.

That request is now being considered by city officials.

No problems in the septic tanks exist now, but the homeowners want the annexation to head off potential problems, Mayes said.

"Septic tanks have a finite life," Mayes said. "At the end of the day, we’re going to have more issues of service. Right now there are no systemic failures."

Only Three Easements Needed!

It's time to notarize your easement and turn it in! We are almost to our goal!

We only need three of the temporary easements to secure 60%. We also need nine permanent easements, but most of those require a engineer review and detailed discussion.

We are nearing the completion on Phase I of our project...Phase II launches soon.

CONFIRMED: 60% IS THE NUMBER

We have confirmed tonight that the 60% goal is the only number we are working towards. Kristi Earwood wrote the core team this evening to clarify her letter of 5/7:

After a careful and studied review of my notes, information available at the public meeting and the official documentation of the meeting as recorded by the representative of the County Mayor’s office, it is my conclusion that the 70% overall support requirement was not adequately discussed or outlined. While I have same in my notes, this requirement is not in the recorded documentation. As a result, the 60% of the temporary easements and 60% of the permanent easements required by July 1, 2007 is the ONLY requirement the County will consider in determining whether to proceed with the Grassland Area Sewer Project past July 1, 2007. In the event that the 60% temporary and 60% permanent minimums are met, then the County will have to consider the next steps for acquiring the remaining necessary easements.

Has the county INCREASED our goal?

The following letter was mailed to non-easement home owners on on May 7th. In it, the county appears to RAISE the goal from 60% approval to 70% approval by 7/1. I am seeking clarification from Kristi Earwood at Harpeth Law. Let's see what she confirms for us.

Although we desire a fair and decent relationship with the county, we will not accept an increased goal under any circumstances. 60% by 7/1 is the stated and agreed upon goal. After which, the county must perform.

Harpeth Law Group, PLLC

Kristi D. Earwood Christina Ferrell Daugherty

Caitlin Noe Moon April A. Ingram

May 7, 2007

VIA UNITED STATES MAIL

Grassland Area Resident

Franklin, TN 37069

Re: Grassland Area Sewer Project Deadline

Dear Sir or Madam:

Williamson County is continuing in its progress on the installation of public sewer in your area.

As you know, Williamson County needs a considerable number of easements from your neighbors to construct the main sewer lines. To date, I have only received approximately 35% of those easements. Further, to continue working toward completing the sewer project,

Williamson County must have the assurance of 70% overall support for the project.

In order to proceed with the project, Williamson County must receive 60% of the easements and 70% notice of overall support before July 1, 2007. If neither is received by July 1, 2007, the Sewer Project will not be constructed.

While the County does not require an easement from your property, I still need some assurance of your support for the overall project. I have enclosed a postcard for you to indicate your support. If you would like to see the project proceed, please return the enclosed postcard before July 1, 2007. This in no way obligates you to connect to the public sewer once installed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further, if you have any questions about the operation and installation of the sewer system, please contact Williamson County’s engineering consultant, Bo Butler of Smith Seckman Reid at (615) 383-1113.

I thank you, in advance, for your prompt cooperation.

Very truly yours,

HARPETH LAW GROUP, PLLC

Kristi D. Earwood

Enclosure - Postcard

____________________________________________________________________

2187 Hillsboro Road

Franklin, Tennessee 37179

615.595-7776 ext. 2 telephone 615.595.2779 telecopier

kearwood@harpethlaw.com

Update: Financing and Negotiation Teams

Once we officially cross the 60% threshold, the Financing and Negotiation Teams will schedule an initial meeting. I'll be in contact with all interested parties with the details. Stay tuned.

Almost there! Take action now!

I am pleased to tell you that we are very, very close to achieving our goal of 60%! It is very important that everyone submits their notarized easements as soon as possible.

Also, residents who were not required to submit a signed easement have another opportunity to "vote" in support of the Grassland Sewer Project. You will be receiving a letter from Harpeth Law inviting you to respond affirmatively to the project. Please take advantage of this opportunity.

This is an important week. Please take immediate action to support the sewer project. Your neighbors need your support!

Street Team Going Door-to-Door

Michael Felts, Ron Feenstra, Richard Jones and Andi Creek are walking door-to-door to meet neighbors, answer questions and collect easements.

Andi's husband, Tim, and Cissy Mangrum are also going door-to-door with the team. Both Tim and Cissy are Notaries, and can notarize your easements on the spot. I believe another generous Notary is also traveling with them, so that makes three!

Thanks for your efforts!