The Floyd County Commissioners are hoping for a large turnout at a town-hall style meeting Wednesday. So large, they rented Georgetown Elementary School to accommodate the masses.
The commissioners announced last week they wanted to go out and talk to the residents of Georgetown about the ongoing sewer issues facing homeowners there.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the school. The three commissioners — along with county planner Don Lopp — will update the community on the status of the settlement agreement between Georgetown and Floyd County regarding the relocation of the proposed Georgetown Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Any time elected officials can go out and talk to residents, it’s a good thing,” said Commissioner Steve Bush. “A lot of people don’t know what is going on exactly. We hope we get a lot of questions.
“This isn’t to criticize Georgetown. It’s just to let the people know what all has been done.”
Georgetown residents were facing a large sewer rate increase after the New Albany Sewer Board voted recently to begin charging the town retail rates, instead of wholesale.
Georgetown’s sewer issues began in 2006, when the previous town council signed an agreement with the sewer board that stated the town would be off New Albany’s sewers in 30 months. The 30 months expired Feb. 1 of this year.
Georgetown asked out of its contract with New Albany because it planned to build its own plant on 23 acres of land called the O’Brien property. But lawsuits over annexation of the property and not getting zoning approval from the county kept the town from building on the site, which made the deadline impossible to meet.
The town and county came to an agreement in the fall. The county will provide a $1.4 million loan to Georgetown for relocation costs if the town agrees to move the plant west of the town.
It likely will take at least three years to build a plant.
Commissioner Mark Seabrook said he has been asked many questions from homeowners who live in Georgetown about what is going on with the sewers. Seabrook said the county has put in a lot of “leg work” to help remedy the situation.
“I don’t think anybody has any way to know what is going on unless they go to the meetings,” he said. “We encourage anyone and everyone to come out.
“It’s not to blame anyone. But if someone’s sewer rates are going to go up, they need to know why.”
Floyd County
Related Photos
Discussion
Floyd County Commissioners: Special meeting in Georgetown will focus on sewers
Wednesday gathering will be at elementary school
- Floyd County
-
-
First Savings buys bank branches
The move will increase First Savings’ market share in Harrison County to about 31 percent and up the bank’s presence in Floyd County.
-
Free falling: CCE demolishes former New Albany business at no charge
-
Floyd judge named semifinalist for Indiana Supreme Court
Granger, 42, said she decided to apply after discussions with her family and close friends.
“I care enormously about my judicial service, and I want to expand my work statewide,” she said. -
Indiana granted No Child Left Behind waiver
As the deadline approaches, more schools are failing to meet requirements under the law, with nearly half not doing so last year, according to the Center on Education Policy.
- News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
-
Neace Lukens acquires Jenkins Insurance of Sellersburg
Jenkins Insurance principal Mike Jenkins will join the Neace Lukens’ New Albany office, where he’ll focus on his current employee benefit clients and expanding service and product platforms for the company.
-
Some lawmakers want you to cruise in for Sunday commerce
The current ban on motorcycle sales is a remnant of Indiana’s old “blue laws” that prohibited various activities on Sundays. The legislature has been slowly chipping away at them.
-
Court of appeals hears Messer appeal
Counseled by attorney Bart Betteau, the basis of Messer’s appeal was that his words were constitutionally-protected free speech. But Special Judge Roger Duvall upheld the merit commission’s decision in 2011.
-
Checkered past: Cab company’s permit suspended in New Albany after employee arrests
“We’re not an evil company,” White said after the meeting.
-
Utility vows to bring projects to council
Stormwater officials shared letters with the council from residents in the Castlewood neighborhood who credited the basin addition for easing flooding in the area.
- More Floyd County Headlines
-
First Savings buys bank branches
