Breaking News

The Tennessean is planning an article that describes the County approaching the City of Franklin to provide sewer services for our communities. Details are breaking as I type this.

I greatly appreciate our commissioners "out of the box" thinking and push to get this done for us.

Action Required

Neighbors - the Grassland Sewer Project has reached unacceptable levels of sloth and delay. We are grossly behind schedule and an '08 ground breaking is in jeopardy. It is time to take action. Please contact our commissioners and demand that our project moves forward this summer.

Additionally, some of our neighbors are considering retaining pro bono legal assistance for the community. If you can provide these services, please contact 37069 UNITED! via this blog.

District 8

Jack Walton: 373-3346 - jack@jackwalton.com
Greg Davis: 791-7683 - gregd@williamson-tn.org

District 9

Mary Brockman: 794-5177 - marymcgaw@aol.com
Ernie Williams: 794-9749 - email needed, please post in comments

Progress!

Kristi Earwood reports that the Court awarded the county possession of most of the properties in question. There is one more property to go. Kristi will receive the Court Orders and have them recorded.

In the meantime, she is still working on the agreement with Lynwood Utility, and is making progress.

The light at the end of the tunnel is growing bigger and brighter!

Updates and Clarification

Kristi Earwood has reached out with the following:

• The County Commission passed the condemnation resolutions on Monday evening. She's finalizing the paperwork and hope to file as early as next week.
• On another note, as a result of the mixed up paperwork on the Farmington Pond, it has been mistakenly reported that the address of that condemnation is 2127 Hartland Road. This was the original address associated with the pond by our engineering consultants. This is in fact the address of John and Kathleen Shaw who are in full support of the project and from whom we do not require an easement.

It is my understanding that Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have received some discourteous correspondences/phone calls as a result. What a shame! 37069 UNITED does not endorse such behavior. Remember, folks, we are neighbors, and we should treat each other with kindness and respect. Our campaign has been a model of cooperation and mutual understanding. Let's not ruin it.

Kristi feels terrible for the discomfort and inconvenience this administrative error has caused the Shaw's and is trying to do all that she can to right this. She's notified the folks at Channel 3 to make any needed corrections and will copy Mitch Kline at the Tennessean and Carole Robinson with the Williamson Herald with this email message as well.

If you've been discourteous to the Shaw's, please make things right by offering an apology.

Moving Forward with Condemnation

The county is making progress on the last of the easements:

• The Property Committee of the County Commission tonight unanimously recommended approval of all 15 resolutions before it, including condemnation resolutions for 14 properties.
  
• The Wastewater Authority approved the public purpose resolution at its December meeting and will hear the condemnation resolutions at its January 2 meeting at the Agricultural Expo Center at 5:30 p.m.
• The Budget Committee will consider them in January.
  
• The County Commission will consider all 15 resolutions at its January 14 meeting at 7:00 p.m.
  

Notices are being sent to the 14 property owners tomorrow.

Meeting Tonight

Just found out there is a Water Authority meeting tonight, Dec. 5th, at 5:30 pm at the Williamson County Recreation Complex in Franklin off of Hillsboro Rd.

They are discussing bonding requirements of the State, and to consider a resolution pertaining to the Grassland sewer project.

Press Release

Update

A number of folks have asked about the sewer project's progress.

Kristi Earwood with Harpeth Law is working the eminent domain issue to secure the rest of the easements. This involves quite a bit or research, documentation, and legal filings.

What can I say? It is a slow process. Rest assured Kristi is working it.

I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

It's Official: Project Approved

Here's the letter Harpeth Law mailed on July 26:

July 26, 2007

VIA UNITED STATES MAIL

Grassland Area Resident
Franklin, TN 37069

Re: Grassland Area Sewer Project Deadline

Dear Sir or Madam:

Williamson County, with the aid of the efforts of many of your neighbors, has made considerable progress with the Grassland Area Sewer Project. As you may know, in March of 2007, Williamson County established a deadline whereby 60% of the temporary construction easements and 60% of the Agreements for Dedication of Easement for Utility Construction (permanent easements) were to be executed and received by the County no later than July 1, 2007 in order for the sewer project to go forward.

To date, the County has received 71% of the temporary construction easements and 72% of the permanent easements.

As a result, and as promised at the public meeting in March of 2007, the County will proceed with the sewer project. At this time, the County is aggressively pursuing the remaining easements that must be acquired in order to construct the main sewer line and is currently researching the procedure whereby the County would acquire the remaining sewer easements by eminent domain.

Additionally, the County continues in its discussions with Lynwood Utility Corporation to complete its agreements for Lynwood to accept and treat the effluent from the County’s sewer lines as well as finalize the mechanism by which the sewer assessment will be billed to all property owners. Please be advised that this sewer assessment will not be billed until the entire sewer project is constructed and the affected residents will be permitted to connect their residences to the public sewer. Please also be reminded that no one will be required to connect his/her residence to the public sewer, but after seven (7) years, the guarantee of capacity will no longer be available.

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.

Very truly yours,


Kristi D. Earwood
County Attorney for Planning and Environment

The Project is Approved

I apologize for this late post, but we were on an extended vacation. Nevertheless...

The county has approved the project with 71% temp and 72% perm easements received (more continue to trickle in). The county is securing the rest of the easements via eminent domain.

Harpeth Law's Kristi Earwood distributed a letter dated 7/26, which I will post in its entirety.

Congratulations!

Sewer Project Nears Reality

The Tennessean published a short article on our sewer project:

Friday, 06/22/07
Sewer project nears reality
Most easements granted, but some Grassland residents oppose cost

By MITCHELL KLINE
Staff Writer

GRASSLAND COMMUNITY — A plan to bring sewer service to Grassland homes with failing septic systems is moving forward.

Last week, the county acquired more than 60 percent of the easements needed to build a low-pressure sewer line that could serve about 455 homes in the area. County leaders had set a July 1 deadline to get that many easements or the project could have been canceled.


"We were having a problem in that this had gone on for many years," said John Lackey, chairman of the Williamson County Water and Wastewater Authority. "The cost of doing the project was escalating and we said we either have to go on and do the project or not do it."

The county still must acquire both temporary and permanent easements before construction can begin. It seems likely that eminent domain will be used to get what some property owners have refused to give.

Kristi Earwood, county attorney for planning and environment, said she has to meet with county officials to determine what, if any, legal action to take.

"I need to sit down with my clients and say there are still about 40 percent of the easements," Earwood said. "Right now I don't have the authority of using eminent domain. If the county wants to go in the direction of eminent domain, they'll have to tell me that."

Some oppose plan

There are Grassland homeowners who oppose the project, mostly because they are being forced to pay close to $4,000 whether they use the sewer line or not.

County commissioners voted in 2004 to pay up to $1.7 million to build the sewer line, provided that homeowners pay it back over 20 years. The latest per-home cost estimate is $3,956, or about $25 per month for 20 years. Homeowners would have to pay an additional $3,000 to hook on to the line, purchase a grinder pump and have their septic systems crushed or filled in. That could end up costing more than $9,000. The sewage will be pumped to and treated by the Lynnwood Utility District. Residents have seven years to connect to the line.

"It's doesn't make sense," said Ernest Haskins, who has lived in Hillsboro Acres since 1975. "I'm opposed to it totally. They never would consider it until they found a way to make the homeowners pay for it."

Haskins said he and many other Grassland residents don't need the sewer line and shouldn't be forced to pay for it.

"I've paid enough in taxes since I've been here to pay for the system many time over," Haskins said. "What the county should have done and what it should do now is put the system in and let us pay our tap fee if we want to hook on."

Neighbors organize efforts

Mike Felts is in favor of the project. He's lived in Hillsboro Acres for 19 years and said he spent "thousands" on septic repairs. He believes the sewer line will improve property values and doesn't see the cost as unreasonable.

"I think a number of people, once they see we've reached 60 percent, will join in," Felts said. "The county is not forcing anybody to hook onto the sewer line. Those not having problems don't have to hook on, but if they ever need to it's there."

Jim Colella, who's lived in the Meadowgreen subdivision since 1995, started an online blog in support of project. He and several other Grassland residents have gotten themselves organized and are working on different fronts. Some have gone door-to-door to encourage people to grant the county easements to build the sewer line. Others are gearing up to negotiate with companies that supply grinder pumps, and crush septic systems.

"The thrust has come from us becoming organized," said Colella. "Prior to this organization, there were a handful of individuals working in fractured, disjointed efforts. It wasn't until we got organized that we got traction."

The project marks the first time Williamson County has gotten involved in building a sewer line. It's a project that has been discussed for at least five years.

County Commissioner Jack Walton, who represents part of the Grassland area, said he never dreamed the project would take as long as it has. He said there are residents in dire need of the sewer line because they can't take showers or do laundry in their homes.

"It has taken longer than I thought it would," Walton said. "I use the analogy of driving to Memphis. If you've never been, you just don't know what to expect."

Rogers Anderson Offers Congratulations

Rogers Anderson, Williamson County Mayor, wrote a nice letter to offer his sincere appreciation and congratulations for all of our hard work getting the Grassland Sewer Project approved.

We are well on our way to the successful implementation of this project, the fruit of which will benefit residents, homeowners and larger community for a very long time.

Congratulations!

GOAL ACHIEVED!

Great news for all of the supporters of the Grassland Sewer Project! We have exceeded our goal of 60% on both temporary and permanent easements.

Simply stated, the project has been approved. Congratulations!

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