Fulford Hall Will Continue to Stand on Sewanee Campus

Sewanee Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced during the Aug. 25 “Launching of a New Year” event that Fulford Hall will be renovated and will continue to stand on the University of the South campus. McCardell made the announcement following consultation with the University chancellor and the chair of the board of regents.

“We undertook an evaluation of the safety and soundness of Fulford Hall. The evaluation comprehensively examined the condition of Fulford, its possible future uses, and whether the costs, respectively, of replacement, renovation, or relocation were justified. Further, we conducted the study with an open mind, prepared, in the best tradition of the University, to let evidence inform conclusions rather than the other way around,” said McCardell.

“We have just received a draft of the report. Based on its findings, I am now able to announce that the option of taking down Fulford Hall is off the table. The regents will continue to consider the best long-term use of Fulford, but it is now safe to say that the building can and will, at reasonable cost, be renovated to serve the University for many years to come.”

During the summer, a study of the University Avenue corridor from Georgia Avenue to Tennessee Avenue was conducted. The study also included the structural assessment of Fulford Hall, following the opinion of the fire chief that Fulford Hall in its current condition may pose a safety risk. The University hopes to make the final version of the report available soon after it has been received.

Civic Assn. Approves Elliott Park Agreement

$21,000 Remains to be Raised before Sept. 30

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the special called meeting on Aug. 26, the Sewanee Civic Association (SCA) overwhelmingly voted to approve the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Civic Association and the University of the South for the Elliott Park playground. Recognizing the need for renovation of the Elliott Park playground, the Civic Association Parks Committee identified the project as a community priority in early 2013. The park, which had a long history of community support, had fallen into disrepair.

Located on University Avenue in the center of campus near All Saints’ Chapel and the University Book and Supply Store, the new Elliott park playground will include a balance beam, bridge, climbing structures, swing sets, spinning elements and a musical component. The park will be accessible for all children and will incorporate local and natural materials. 

“This is an important partnership between the SCA and the University of the South to benefit the community,” said Kiki Beavers, SCA president. “The five-year MOU clearly identifies the separate responsibilities of the Civic Association and the University.”

The Civic Association will secure funding for the purchase of the playground equipment and installation; inspect the boundary and notify physical plant services if action is needed; be the point of contact for complaints; secure and maintain safety certificates with GameTime, the playground equipment manufacturer; and under GameTime’s supervision, oversee the community build portion of the construction and installation.

The University will be responsible for site preparation and drainage; accessibility and improving parking facilities; and the cost of moving and or replacing the playground equipment if the site is needed for other purposes. 

In response to a question about the location of the playground, Provost John Swallow said, “Yes, there is a planning document that shows a new library in that location. But since that building has a $50 million price tag, I don’t see it happening any time soon.” 

The issue of insurance, Beavers said, was still under discussion, but was important to both the Civic Association and the University.

The Civic Association must raise $21,241 by Sept. 30 for the playground. To date, $43,759 of the playground’s cost of $65,000 has been raised. Major funders include the South Cumberland Community Fund, the Sewanee Community Council Funding Project, the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund, the Joel and Trudy Cunningham Charitable Fund, and donations through a designated fund with the Sewanee Community Chest.

“If everyone living in Sewanee gave $10, we’d be finished,” Beavers said, encouraging community members to step forward and make a contribution to a project that will benefit Sewanee residents.

The Civic Association has a number of grant proposals pending. Beavers said other possible sources of support for the final funds are the Community Chest Opportunity Fund and financing through GameTime. Civic Association attorneys are still reviewing the MOU. The vote of approval granted Beavers power to approve the final document at her discretion.

Site preparation is slated to begin in September. Organizers hope that the playground will be delivered in mid-October. There will be time during this process for community participation in the playground’s installation. 

AngelFest Set for Sept. 25

The fifth annual AngelFest will take place on Friday, Sept. 25, in the Angel Park in Sewanee. Family-friendly activities will begin at 4:30 p.m.; this year’s plans include face-painting, inflatables, hands-on building projects and wild animal presentations.

For adults, there will be the opportunity to purchase a “beer flight” or a “liquor flight” with samples of the adult beverages at some of the downtown area restaurants.

Singer Jason Eskridge and his band will provide the music, beginning at 7:30 p.m. He is a native of Tennessee and is known for his soul-acoustic-folk music. Later this year Eskridge will be touring with the Zac Brown Band.

AngelFest is organized and sponsored by Joseph’s Remodeling Solutions. For the full schedule of activities go to <www.sewaneeangelfest.blogspot.com>. The Angel Park and Pavilion were created by the Sewanee Business Alliance, which is committed to developing the downtown area as a center for families, businesses and nonprofits to enjoy the lifestyle Sewanee offers and to build relationships throughout the community.

Sewanee Police Department Wins New Patrol Vehicle

The Sewanee Police Department partners with the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office each year to step up DUI enforcement on the days surrounding the Labor Day holiday. This year, the dates are Aug. 19 to Sept. 7. Because of this collaborative work in the past, the Sewanee Police Department was awarded a new Ford Focus patrol car in late August.

Sewanee Police Chief Marie Eldridge cited officer Tony Gilliam’s careful work in this effort. Gilliam “has kept track of all the department’s participation in such activities as roadblock DUI checks, seatbelt checks and the “Booze It or Lose It” program,” Eldridge said. The patrol vehicle was one of three awarded by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office in a random drawing of all participating departments. 

Tennessee experienced 6,645 known alcohol-related crashes in 2014, which means an average of 18 people each day get behind the wheel after they have been drinking and cause an accident.

A single DUI conviction can cost an individual $5,000 or more, in addition to jail time. Offenders could also be required to attend drug and alcohol treatment or to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. 

“Too many people think their actions don’t affect anyone else,” Eldridge said. “They know it’s illegal. They know it’s wrong. But they do it anyway; they make decisions as if those statistics just can’t happen to them.” 

The “Booze It and Lose It” campaign is part of a national effort to prevent drunk driving. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of driving drunk aim to reduce the toll of drunk driving. For more information visit <www.tntrafficsafety.org>.

Tracy City Gets Funds to Make New Paths For Pedestrians and Bicyclists Through Downtown

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode announced a $70,000 grant and $180,000 loan to help the town of Tracy City make downtown more accessible, in a statement issued on Aug. 24.

“Accessible facilities and downtown infrastructure make it a lot easier for people to come together for the good of the community.” Goode said. “USDA’s Strike Force for Rural Growth and Opportunity initiative aims to increase investments in rural communities through intensive outreach and strong partnerships. Today we see the benefit of engaging with local leaders and community members to develop long-term economic plans to leverage limited resources through close collaboration with state and federal partners.”

The Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program funds will be used to provide a multi-modal transportation path for pedestrians and bicyclists through the heart of downtown Tracy City, connecting with Tracy City Elementary School (and the proposed location of the Mountain Goat Trail pathway from Monteagle to Tracy City) to the north side of downtown at the intersection of Highway 41 and Nathurst Street. The path is a combination of approximately 1.2 miles of sidewalks and walkways. American with Disabilities Act-compliant trailhead parking will be created downtown at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Highway 41.

USDA Rural Development is making investments in rural America with housing, business and infrastructure loans and grants to create jobs and strengthen rural economies with an emphasis to assist areas of persistent poverty. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses in 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $5.4 billion through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants. For more information call (423) 756.2239 or go online to <www.rd.usda.gov/TN>.

Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park Threatened :: Key Campground to Close as Park Loses Access to Private Property

The mid-point section of the popular Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park will soon close to hikers, thus closing the 12.5-mile trek between Grundy Forest Trailhead and Foster Falls. 

Interim Park Manager George Shinn has announced that the owner of the property near Raven Point, which the trail has crossed for decades, has asked for the removal of the park trail from his property by Dec. 1. 

“The only practical solution,” Shinn said, “is to reroute that section of the trail into the cove. But the solution is not easy to accomplish and will significantly increase the difficulty for hikers in the future.”

Similar land issues have forced the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to order the closing of Raven Point Campground, located along the Fiery Gizzard Trail, on Sept. 7.

On Aug. 15, the news broke about threats to the popular trail. Shinn and Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) President Latham Davis were interviewed on a Nashville news station about the trail that put South Cumberland in the national spotlight. Backpacker Magazine voted the Fiery Gizzard Trail among the top 25 hiking trails in the U.S. and in 2014, ranked it sixth on the list of Best Fall Foliage Hikes in the nation. The trail is credited with drawing visitors to South Cumberland and enhancing tourism and the local economy in one of Tennessee’s most rural areas.

“Since the ’70s, the park has operated this trail in partnership with numerous private owners,” Shinn said, “and we have worked hard to maintain strong relations. However, as land is sold or passed on to heirs, these long-standing verbal agreements can change overnight. 

“Because of safety and liability issues, the state can not operate without formal agreements,” he added. “We are hopeful that we can persuade those involved to agree to a partnership based on a conservation easement or a memorandum of understanding that will allow the trail and campground to remain open.” 

Shinn said that purchasing the land is not always necessary. “We just need agreements and committed partnerships in order to save forever the few miles of trail that cross private property.”

“This is clearly an emergency,” said Mack Prichard, Tennessee State Naturalist Emeritus, who has been involved with the trail for decades. 

“To lose a trail like Fiery Gizzard and this key campground is unthinkable.” Prichard said, “We need to mobilize miracles and pull rabbits out of hats. We are going to need some miracles here again.”

FSC President Latham Davis said, “The Friends of South Cumberland have had many successes in acquiring key tracts of land and conservation easements, most recently this summer acquiring several hundred feet of bluff facing Stone Door in Savage Gulf Natural Area. We have good relations with many landowners adjacent to the park, which makes this event on the Fiery Gizzard Trail so puzzling and distressing.” 

Raven Point Farm is currently on the market for more than double the appraised value of the land. The owner recently rejected an offer by the FSC to purchase the land at its appraised value. 

Mary Priestley, author of “Fiery Gizzard: Voices from the Wilderness” and past president of the FSC said, “We learned that when a Friends group, Land Trust, or other nonprofit buys land, you can’t set the precedent of paying more than the appraised value, because going forward, this will cause other landowners to expect the same inflated prices. A major concern is that the tract could be sold to a developer, ruining the pristine nature of the trail forever.”

At this point, Priestley said, “the Friends’ best hope is for a conservation buyer to come in and purchase Raven Point Farm and establish easements on it. There are substantial tax incentives for doing this; easements would allow for the continued use of the original trail and give the park rangers the access they need.”

The FSC is committed to raising awareness about this recent development at Fiery Gizzard and to partnering with others to find solutions. 

Friends members and park rangers are working together to organize volunteers to help build a re-routed section of the trail. To skirt private land, the trail will have to plunge to the bottom of the gorge and back to the top, an 800-foot elevation drop, which will substantially increase the difficulty of the trail. Anyone willing to volunteer in the trail-building effort can go to the FSC website for details. 

The FSC, one of the most active state park friends groups in Tennessee, has helped raise millions of dollars to purchase thousands of acres and protect miles of trail and view. Since the Friends began, the park has increased by 10,000 acres.

Planning Workshops Elicit Community Participation

Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), planning consultants working with the University of the South, held a series of open design workshops Aug. 10–13 to develop a plan for the Sewanee downtown area. TPUDC has been charged with finalizing a downtown master plan and overseeing design and development. They expect to have the development plan completed by the end of the year.

Two previous studies, the Sewanee Village Vision Plan (2012) and the Sewanee Village Action Plan (2014), were intended to gather ideas and demonstrate what might be possible downtown. The TPUDC plan will acknowledge and integrate existing features and infrastructure (streets, leaseholds, drainage areas, etc.) and move toward implementation.

The sessions were well-attended, with about 65 residents at the opening presentation describing the process, dozens attending separate sessions on topics such as pedestrian and bike connectivity, and more than 80 residents at the closing presentation of findings. In addition, the design studio was open each day for visitors to watch the process and ask questions. Rather than using a committee or focus groups, the process was public; there will be opportunities for additional input and feedback before the plan is finalized.

Brian Wright and other team members from TPUDC have spent time in Sewanee for several months, learning the landscape, meeting residents and beginning conversations with public utilities and state agencies.

Some of the concerns and elements that were emphasized by residents during the week included noise and light pollution, parking, sustainability, biking and hiking options, and a mix of housing types. These will be considerations as the downtown master plan is refined. Highlights of the well-received preliminary plan include “civilizing” and narrowing Highway 41A to two lanes (without the previously planned roundabout), new leaseholds and neighborhoods, a “town commons” park across the highway from Shenanigans, and both a bike lane and a parking lane on University Avenue.

The final plan will emphasize walkability, integration of the campus community, increased housing options at a variety of income levels, and improved streetscape and architecture. The plan will serve as a road map for future development in the downtown district.

Civic Association Calls Special Meeting on Elliott Park for Wednesday

A special called business meeting for the Sewanee Civic Association (SCA) will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, in St. Mark’s Hall, Claiborne House, at Otey Parish. 

The meeting will consist of discussing and voting on a memorandum of understanding between the Civic Association and the University of the South for the Elliott Park playground. Specific details include a five-year term for the agreement, site preparation, installation and contingency planning, should the site be needed for other purposes.

The memorandum of understanding with the University also addresses issues such as maintenance, drainage control and parking lot improvements. The SCA Parks Committee will be the point of contact for Elliott Park moving forward. This project will be a collaborative effort with the University’s Physical Plant Services, neighboring organizations and community volunteers to maintain and enhance the park, creating a sense of ownership to ensure the long-term care and upkeep of this important part of the community.

The plans for redeveloping Elliott Park include swing sets, a balance beam, bridge, climbing structures, spinning elements and a musical component. Other criteria met by the approved design include use of natural and local materials. The park will be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and accessible, with access ramps at the adjoining sidewalk and parking lot. 

Originally designated in 1870, Elliott Park has a history of community support with much of its playground equipment built by the community or purchased with donations. A swing set, chin-up bars, wooden step structure, and sandbox (now removed) were installed under the leadership of Sandy Baird and Yolande Gottfried in the 1980s. In 1998, community member Dana Lesesne spearheaded the addition of a pirate ship constructed by the Sewanee chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), with support from various sources, including the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund. 

In 2012, several wooden play elements were in disrepair and removed from Elliott Park, leaving behind little more than an aging swing set in what was once a vibrant place for the children to play. 

The For the Parks project will benefit the whole community and its many visitors by reminding all  that Sewanee is not only a place where families live, but is a place where families are valued.

For more information go to <www.sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>.

EMT Class Registration Begins

A Sewanee emergency medical technician training (EMT) class begins on Monday, Aug. 31. People interested in taking the course should attend to complete an application. 

The course is open to community members (10 spots available) and University students (24 spots available). Students will be considered for admission on a first-come, first-served basis. 

At the meeting, there will be time to ask questions and learn more about expectations, schedules and requirements. 

For more information contact the program director and instructor, Sherrie Releford, at (931) 235-4876. 

Wendell Berry Reading on Thursday :: Participates in First Year Program for New Students

Distinguished author Wendell Berry will offer a public reading at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20, in Guerry Auditorium on the Sewanee campus. Berry’s award-winning publications include more than 40 books of fiction, poetry and essays.

Berry’s visit to Sewanee takes place in conjunction with the College’s Finding Your Place (FYP) program and the associated freshman course to which he is contributing. FYP students, faculty and visiting contributors will be reflecting together on the theme  “Imaginative Education: Learning to Know a Place, Care for a Place.” Other participants in these FYP sessions include Mary Berry, executive director of the Berry Center in New Castle, Ky.; Leah Bayens, director of the Berry Farming Program at St. Catharine College; and Norman Wirzba, professor of theology, ecology and rural life at Duke University.

The seed of this visit was planted two years ago on Berry’s front porch during a visit there by Michael Thompson, a fellow at the Center for Religion and Environment at Sewanee. During this first conversation, Berry and his wife, Tanya, introduced Thompson to the Berry Center’s efforts, which is directed by their daughter, Mary. 

Mary Berry and Bayens came to Sewanee more than a year ago, when discussions of the potential of a deeper relationship between Sewanee and the Berry Center began. Robin Gottfried, Director of the Center for Religion and Environment at Sewanee, English professor John Gatta and Thompson visited St. Catharine College to learn how they integrated the work of the Berry Center into their program.

The Berry Center is working to transform America’s food and farm system into one that is healthy and sustainable for all people and the planet. The center is  putting Berry’s writings to work by advocating for farmers, land-conserving communities and healthy regional economies. It focuses on issues confronting small farming families in Kentucky and around the country. By collecting and archiving the papers of the Berry family, the center gives people the opportunity to study and work to learn from the past in order to shape the future. Issues of land use, farm policy and local food infrastructure are central to the center’s mission.

“We are hopeful that this symposium is the beginning of a consortium of sorts, linking us with the Berry’s work and other institutions who share in this ethos and contemplation of place by learning to listen to the land,” Thompson said. “Sewanee’s natural beauty and surroundings, along with the long and rich literary history on the mountain, provides a meaningful place to cultivate this effort and way of life which Wendell, Tanya, and now Mary and the Berry Center puts forth.”

Campus sponsors of these events include the Center for Religion and Environment, which has also played the leading role in planning and arrangements; the Collaborative for Southern Appalachian and Place-Based Studies; the University Lectures Committee; Rivendell Writers Colony; and Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and Bonnie McCardell.

Elliott Park Playground Project Deadline Nears

Fifteen years ago, Elliott Park was the place where schoolchildren and families gathered for play dates, birthday parties and Saturday afternoon get-togethers. There were swings, climbing structures, a sand box and many other age-appropriate and safe places to play at this park, open to all.

But Elliott Park has fallen into disrepair; most of the equipment has been removed, and little of the park remains. There is no community playground in Sewanee. Seeing this problem, the Sewanee Civic Association (SCA) began its For the Parks campaign.

The For the Parks campaign needs approximately $36,000 to reach its goal for the Elliott Park playground equipment and installation project. To date, $29,000 has been raised for the project, including major support from the Sewanee Community Council Funding Project, the South Cumberland Community Fund and the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund. The deadline to raise the funds is Sept. 30.

Elliott Park is a prime location as a central playground and meeting place for families—an outdoor space where members from across the community can connect. Located adjacent to University Avenue near the Book and Supply Store, All Saints’ Chapel and the center of the University campus, it is the place where a playground can be created again for children of all ages, and provide a place for newcomers to meet others, fostering a sense of community.

The plans for redeveloping Elliott Park include swing sets, a balance beam, bridge, climbing structures, spinning elements and a musical component. The approved design also includes use of natural and local materials. The park will be ADA-compliant and accessible, with access ramps at the adjoining sidewalk and parking lot. 

Originally designated in 1870, Elliott Park has a history of community support with much of its playground equipment built by the community or purchased with donations. A swing set, chin-up bars, wooden step structure, and sand box (now removed) were installed under the leadership of Sandy Baird and Yolande Gottfried in the 1980s. In 1998, community member Dana Lesesne spearheaded the addition of a pirate ship constructed by the Sewanee chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), with support from various sources, including the Kaj Krogstad Memorial Fund. 

In 2012, several wooden play elements were in disrepair and removed from Elliott Park, leaving behind little more than an aging swing set in what was once a vibrant place for children to play. 

The SCA is working on the next chapter of this community-supported park. The goal of the SCA is to help improve municipal conditions and equipment, and raise money the town cannot raise in taxes because it is unincorporated. Since Sewanee is unincorporated, it does not qualify for many state and federal grants that municipalities rely on for projects such as playgrounds, parks and community development. The community, and the Civic Association, have a long history of identifying needs, raising the necessary money, and building projects needed by the community. 

The SCA will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the University of the South concerning maintenance, drainage control and parking lot improvements, and contingency planning for the equipment should the University ever need to relocate the playground. The SCA Parks Committee will be the point of contact for Elliott Park moving forward. This project will be a collaborative effort with the University’s Physical Plant Services, neighboring organizations, and community volunteers to maintain and enhance the park, creating a sense of ownership to ensure the long-term care and upkeep of this important part of the community. 

The For the Parks project will benefit the whole community and our many visitors by reminding us that Sewanee is not only a place where families live, but is a place where families are valued. 

To make a donation, send a check payable to SCA For the Parks, P.O. Box 222, Sewanee, TN 37375. All money raised will go through a designated fund with the Sewanee Community Chest, a 501(c) 3 organization and are tax deductible. There is an online campaign to use a credit card at gofundme.com/fortheparks. 

The SCA is the managing organization of For the Parks, the Sewanee Classifieds and the Sewanee Community Chest, and the sponsoring organization for Cub Scout Pack 152.

For more information or to volunteer, contact <fortheparks@gmail.com>, or go to <www.sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>.

Director of Schools Supports Teacher Autonomy

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Aug. 10 meeting of the Franklin County School Board, Director of Schools Amie Lonas talked about her plans “to push some of the decision-making down to the school level, both the principals and teachers.”

Since assuming responsibility as director on July 1, Lonas has met with all the school principals and many of the faculty to share her leadership philosophy. Lonas said teachers seemed enthusiastic about having more autonomy in the classroom. 

“I want the teachers to take ownership,” Lonas said, “but with ownership comes responsibility for performance and test scores.”

Lonas proposed the school board hold some of its meetings at the schools, to give the board members an opportunity to visit all the schools in the county. The board approved the suggestion. Lonas will draft a meeting location schedule.

Assistant superintendent Linda Foster said all certified positions were filled for the 2015–16 school year, with the exception of a new position for a second-grade teacher at North Lake Elementary School. Interviews would begin tomorrow, Foster said.

Lonas said enrollment had increased by more than 200 students in just the past few weeks. 

“Our current enrollment is only one student less than last year.” Sewanee has two very large classes, Lonas said, as did several other schools. Additional teachers may be needed.

In her financial report, Lonas said the school system finished the 2014–15 school year without drawing on the fund balance held in reserve for when expense exceeds revenue.

Negotiations are continuing with the Franklin County Commission for operating budget debt relief. At a July 27 meeting with the commission’s school committee, the commission asked the school board to draft a debt relief resolution taking into account the commission’s concerns. The commission is reluctant to lock the county into a long-term commitment based on sales tax, which can fluctuate widely from year to year.

The next meeting of the school board is Sept. 14.

New Sewanee Students Arrive on Campus

About 495 new college students are arriving on the University of the South campus for the start of this semester—almost 480 first-year students and 17 transfer students.

More than 140 first-year students who are participating in the Finding Your Place program arrived and moved into their dorms on Aug. 12. During this year’s program and its associated first-year course, students, faculty and visiting contributors will be reflecting together on the theme of “Imaginative Education: Learning to Know a Place, Care for a Place.” The 10-day interdisciplinary immersion ends the afternoon of Aug. 21.

Sewanee Outing Program’s PRE-Orientation (PRE) will offer about 200 incoming Sewanee freshmen the opportunity to get to know Sewanee in a unique and exciting atmosphere. Students arrive at Elliott Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 19. While familiarizing themselves with the 13,000-acre Domain during the three-day experience, new students meet other freshmen and upperclassmen in an environment that creates trust and establishes new friendships. Whether rock climbing for the first time, crawling through winding passages in a local cave, or building a house with Sewanee Outreach, PRE provides memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

The University welcomes the entire Class of 2019 and other new students with orientation beginning Saturday, Aug. 22, following Finding Your Place and PRE. In addition to residence hall meetings and numerous information sessions, the week includes meetings with academic advisors, a class photo, a welcome address by Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and the solemn signing of the Honor Code. All students will be back on campus by Wednesday, Aug. 26, the first day of classes in the College.

SUD Board Discusses Wastewater Collection, Examines Audit

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Much of the discussion focused on wastewater collection at the Aug. 4 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties. Leaks, overflows and customer responsibility for sewer lines were top on the agenda.

SUD manager Ben Beavers said the 50-year-old pumping station at Mikell Lane needs immediate attention to reduce overflows during heavy rainfall. The pumping station will be a “big-ticket item,” Beavers cautioned. Beavers will provide details on the cost at the next meeting. The pumping station on Roarks Cove Road (aka Alto Road)also needs to be refurbished or replaced.

Sani-Tech has completed the video camera inspection of SUD’s sewer lines, Beavers said. Data from the video survey will be entered into a computer program that will prioritize information on which sewer lines are most in need of being repaired or replaced and the related cost. Inflow and infiltration of water into the sewer lines puts strain on SUD’s wastewater treatment plant. 

“My goal is to do the needed repairs and keep customer rates low,” Beavers said.

In response to a question by board member Randall Henley, Beavers said customers were responsible for maintenance and repair of the sewer line between their residence and the sewer main, even if the line crossed other residents’ property or University property. SUD offers financial assistance for the portion of repairs off the customer’s property. Contact the SUD office for details.

Updating the board on the faulty meters installed in conjunction with the upgrade to automated meter reading technology, Beavers said the manufacturer, Itron, had agreed to replace the encoder receiver transmitter (ERT) in all the units or, if necessary, to replace the entire meter. Itron will pay all labor-related costs. SUD has already replaced most of the residential meters that had problems, Beavers said. The faulty ERTs resulted in meter reading errors. The replacement installation should be completed before the end of the year. 

SUD will receive a “fresh warranty” on all the meters.

On another issue related to water supply, Beavers said recent hydrant maintenance revealed eight to 10 hydrant leaks, some as much as two to three gallons per minute, contributing to SUD’s unaccounted-for water loss. 

SUD will rebuild the hydrants at a cost of $150 per unit, rather than contract out the repair, which could cost four times as much.

SUD’s recent audit has been submitted to the state for review. The auditor reported two minor discrepancies, one a recurring issue for which SUD has no remedy: inadequate segregation of duties. To satisfy the requirement, SUD would need to hire additional office employees, Beavers said, and SUD’s volume of business doesn’t justify the expense. The audit also faulted SUD for failure to supply adequate internal controls of inventory, providing a monthly accounting of each item and its use. Beavers will investigate solutions and propose including the cost in the 2016 budget. Beavers said SUD has very few items in inventory, because most of SUD’s needs can be satisfied with next-day delivery. He questioned the wisdom of purchasing costly accounting software to satisfy the requirement.

The SUD board meets next on Sept. 22.