Updated July 11, 2023
Deadline. The Public Hearing was a required step in the process. The deadline for final comments is July 14, 2023. You can send any comments to BrownCountyRSD@gmail.com or HelmsburgRSD@gmail.com
This post at Brown County Matters
No Vote at this time – Eastern Corridor. Phase 1 of the project includes a Western Corridor (Helmsburg to Lake Lemon) and an Eastern Corridor (Helmsburg to Bean Blossom to Woodland Lake.). I’ve been following this issue since 2016, routinely attend the BCRSD Board Meetings and have reviewed all of the supporting documentation.
The presentation confirms my previous assessments – the Eastern Corridor should be put on “pause” until the need is validated and there is evidence that the scope of the investment and strategy justifies the expense. It is also important to confirm community-wide support.
In contrast, the Western Corridor has validated the need and has obtained community-wide support.
Public Hearing – Presentations:
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- Agenda – 2023_07_08 Agenda Public Hearing Sewer Expansion HRSD BCRSD
- Audio – Part 1 Presentation (1 hr. 11 minutes)
- Despite comments by the BCRSD Board members to the contrary:
- “Soils” in Brown County are suitable for septic systems. Soils are tested before a permit is issued.
- Impaired “waterways” are not primarily due to waste from failing or inadequate septic systems. Per BCRSDs Watershed Study (pg.63), only 5 of the 22 water samples identified the majority of E.coli as being of human origin. “…pastureland loads more E.coli to Brown County steams than other sources under all modeled septic failure modeling scenarios. Only if 100% of documented septic systems are failing do they contribute a significant volume of E.coli to the entirety of Brown County.” (Watershed study, pg. 69-70)
- Despite comments by the BCRSD Board members to the contrary:
- Audio Part 2 – Comments and Questions. Citizens were limited to 2 minutes.
Community Support? The BCRSD Prelimary Engineer Reports (PER) includes information derived from a taxpayer-funded wastewater strategic plan and watershed study. The plan and study provide the basic premise for the justification of need. The cost of the grant-funded project was $118,000. It required a 10-percent match — $11,800 — which came from the County.
BCRSD Board members refused to hold a public meeting to present their plan. This would have provided them with the opportunity to defend their arguments and conclusions, address questions and concerns and build community support if possible. This should have happened before moving forward with the development of the PER and the Public Hearing. (PER – Read Aheads).
For the Record. I will be asking copies for of all the information submitted by approving officials and will post on Brown County Matters to help ensure responses to all submitted comments and questions were addressed.
Citizenship. American Citizens (top management) have a responsibility to be informed voters and to hold elected and appointed officials (and their contractors) accountable. We also have a responsibility for serving in the role of Jurists to ensure that decisions are based on both sides of an argument. Brown County taxpayers have contributed over a million dollars in support of this project.
Balanced Argument. The presentation at the Public Hearing represents a one-sided closing argument “by the prosecution.” Citizens have the opportunity to provide their input by July 14, 2023. The process requires that responses to be provided by the project sponsors – BCRSD and HRRSD. Approving officials have an obligation to review all the information presented before making a decision. By federal and state statutes, Citizens (unbeknownst to many) do have the right to question or appeal any final decision which should involve a review by subject matter experts that are independent, objective, and represents citizen interests as opposed to those advocating and benefiting from this project. Information from this phase also becomes part of the record.
Additional Information
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 