
Updated: Apr 14, 2021
April 13, 2022. The Brown County Democrat article on the April 6 meeting: Moving forward: Boards to get COVID-19 relief funds for sewer project after public comments at meetings, By Suzannah Couch
Preface
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Assessment – Key Points — Commissioner Meeting Mar 23, 2022
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Additional Questions for the April 6, 2022, Commissioner Meeting
The purpose for then Bean Blossom RSD and now the BCRSD was to obtain sewer service for Bean Blossom. This service will now be provided by Helmsburg. “Mission accomplished.”
No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth! — Ronald Reagan
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- Mission Accomplished. Why aren’t you (commissioners and council) phasing them out? Why not transition them to an advisory committee on overall wastewater management strategy?
- Do decisions regarding the BCRSD have to first be approved by the core leadership team of the local republican party? What role did they have on the commissioner policy to not allow citizen input at meetings? Who proposed this idea? Robyn Rosenberg Bowman has promoted development in Bean Blossom, routinely attends commissioner and council meetings, and is co-owner of a real estate company. And, do any elected officials have a personal or family interest in the development of properties in Bean Blossom?
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- Where is the accountability? The BCRSD spent $220k of 270K provided by the County Council to fund plans for a new plant for Bean Blossom. Approximately 220K was spent BEFORE any land was acquired. The commitment made to the council to justify the 270K included the expectation that funding would be approved and that construction could start within 18 months.
Conclusion? Has the BCRSD outlived its useful life as an RSD? The BCRSD does not need a “warrant” to require that everyone within 300 feet of a sewer line be hooked up. Will they have ANY jurisdiction regarding customers being served by Helmsburg?
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- Why not thank the members for their service and transition them to an advisory committee?
Will the BCRSD actions delay project funding for Helmsburg and the delivery of needed services to include a reduction of rates for current Helmsburg customers that are paying $92.50 for service? The State recommendation is a fee in the $65.00 – $85.00 range.
The special interests (including the core of the local Republican Party?) that support expanded sewer service in the Bean Blossom area may desire development (a want). But will the lack of wide-scale customer support and speculation as to the need be problematic? What role will federal agencies have on approving projects? Do federal agencies support funding for development? No question on the “need” for Helmsburg and Lake Lemon.
Additional Information
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- RSDs – American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding. The proposal for funding was submitted by the Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) with a copy to the Helmsburg Regional Sewer District (HRSD). The BCRSD is currently requesting $300,000 from the ARP funds.
- Copy of the BCRSD Proposal to the Commissioners: Cover-letter-and-proposal-to-brown-county-commissioners. Areas covered range from Lake Lemon to Bean Blossom. Bean Blossom includes but not limited to Brownies, Bill Monroe, Staley’s Mobile Home Park, greater Bean Blossom, Little Fox and Woodland Lakes, and Freeman Ridge.
- Helmsburg (HRSD) Proposal for APR funding. HRSD identifed the need for $515,000 (has since been increased). Commissioners did approve the 25K needed to acquire more land to support a plant expansion. Dec 6, 2021, HRSD_BCRSD Joint Proposal to Commissioners. Commissioners also approved $40,000 to hook up two customers (Mar 22, 2022 meeting.)
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- GUEST OPINION: More evidence needed that sewers necessary by Tim Clark
- GUEST OPINION: Bean Blossom sewer plant: Delay warranted Apr. 3, 2020 By TIM CLARK, guest columnist On March 10, 2020, Ethel Morgan of HomeTown Engineering LLC presented the findings from a regionalization study of wastewater treatment