The Greeneville Water Commission reviewed a letter Tuesday from Tusculum Mayor John Foster, requesting sewer service for residences within Tusculum.

The three water commissioners indicated they believe that providing the service would be good for the Water Commission, but the ultimate decision has to be made by the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

In the letter, addressed to Water Commission Chairman Brandon Hull and dated May 22, Foster noted that "The City of Tusculum is on the priority list to receive a $4,600,000 State Revolving Loan" with 40 percent of the principal to be forgiven with stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

"It is our prayer and hope that an agreement can be reached in order that these funds can be utilized to provide service to our residents where their existing septic systems are failing," Foster wrote.

Tusculum's mayor continued, "The funding agency requires Tusculum to be the owner of the proposed project.

"We would like to construct the collection systems to meet Greeneville's existing specifications. We would like to enter into a long-term contract with Greeneville to operate the system, including billing, collection and maintenance.

"It is our understanding that we can contract out all services except the approval of the sewer rates. We have no objection to transfer the ownership of the collection system to Greeneville whenever the approval of the funding agency is obtained."
Foster's letter concludes, "We urgently request the City of Greeneville to support our efforts to provide sewer service to our residents to ensure a safe living environment."
A map showing those parts of Tusculum already served and its priority ranking for proposed areas for new sewer service was attached to the letter. Greeneville already provides sewer service to Tusculum College and part of its immediate vicinity, plus Greene Valley Developmental Center, Russell Acres subdivision and Tusculum Place subdivision.

Most of the "Priority 1 area" shown on the map is south and east of Tusculum College. The Priority 2 area is across the Erwin Highway, immediately north of the college. The Priority 3 area is along Cumberland Drive at the southern boundary of Tusculum's city limits, and the Priority 4 area is between Doak Elementary School and U.S. Highway 11E.

Doug Carver, the Water Commission's interim superintendent, was asked how many customers serving Tusculum would add. Carver replied that about 400 customers potentially could be involved, paying an estimated total of $10,760 each month.

Carver said that Tusculum's offer includes bearing the cost of upgrading the pump station. He said that, if an agreement is reached, a surcharge would have to be added to new customer bills for sewer service in Tusculum for a period of time, to cover the additional costs.

Commission member Johnny Honeycutt said, "Unless I'm missing something, this is a no-brainer." But Honeycutt added that the Water Commission needs to get advice from Ron Woods, Greeneville's city attorney.

Honeycutt noted that the Water Commission several years ago imposed a moratorium on new sewer connections in areas that cannot be annexed by Greeneville.

Tusculum has challenged the moratorium in court, and that matter is still pending. In essence, Tusculum has asserted that the populations of Tusculum and Afton were considered in an application for a grant that Greeneville received and used to construct its current wastewater treatment plant.

Commissioner Joe Waggoner said the Water Commission proposed the moratorium, but the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen "backed us up, with a couple of exceptions."

Water Commission Chairman Hull said, "We owe (Tusculum) a decision. We need to tell them yes or no."

Waggoner said, "I'm prepared to vote on it today."

Hull asked Carver about the financial aspects of the situation.

"Financially, it would be good for us," Carver said. He noted that the Water Commission will be meeting again on July 23, and asked if any additional information will be needed then.

Hull said, "We need to know the legality -- can we lift the moratorium?"

Waggoner then said, "We made the moratorium, this board did," so it would seem reasonable that the Water Commission can also lift it.

Honeycutt then said, "Let me ask the question: why would we not do this?"

Hull said that the Walmart Supercenter "might not have been in Greeneville" if service had been provided to that location, at the time outside Greeneville. Loss of sales tax revenue from Walmart "would have crippled Greeneville," Hull said.

Carver proposed that "our reply doesn't need to be 'yes' or 'no.' It could be 'yes, with stipulations."

When asked to elaborate, Carver said Tusculum "has given quite a bit and already made certain concessions," as indicated in the letter.

Chairman Hull said the Water Commission probably needs advice from attorney Woods so that members "can understand our obligations and rights."