4 December 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

 

4 December 2025 Dearborn County Regional Sewer District Meeting Notes

Board

Brett Fehrman, Acting Chairman, Jeff Bittner, Steward Cline, Russell Beiersdorder, and Jeff Stenger

ABSENT: Steve Renihan President and  Doug Baer

Also present: Board Attorney - Frank Kramer andMike Hrezo of Hrezo Engineering

Stenger read the Public Access Statement as legally required.

Minutes: October 16th- Approved, November 6th - Approved, November 20th- Approved

Treasurer’s Report- TABLED both October and November until Doug Baer can review.

Public Comment: none

Opening of THREE RFP Responses: Cline wants the packets opened and then tabled for review after Kelly gets copies to all board members. Board agreed to do that.  

The three RFPs received were: Envirolink, VRUC, CH&M Excavating

Bill Neyer (VRUC)  and Jeff Meinders (CH&M Excavating) were present. 

Project Updates: Mike Hrezo presented: 

Guilford- will report back on the ability to cut the capacity for the plant  for now, after he checks with Christy tomorrow. He will email that to the board then. Jeff Meinders said they had discussed an option on that. 

Lake Dildear is proceeding. Thinks they are in good shape. There are a lot of problems out there. It will come down to reporting problems to get people to hook up. Jeff does a good job on that. There should be pretty good participation. Stenger thinks there won’t be any options- because there is probably no one out there who could prove their system works. Mike Hrezo- The gas station is hooking on. Homeowners can apply for an exemption. Stenger said there were a couple homes on SR1 who had just recently put in a new system. Is there a bathroom put in for the Guilford plant? Meinders said they roughed one in. 

Mike Hrezo submitted these 2 bills from the contractor $607,720.79 Lake Dildear- Approved and $91,948.52.  Lake Dildear - Approved. Board members asked him to get those here earlier so Kelly could get through them.

$1,113,639.60- Guilford Approved. There were 2 other change orders. #2 was approved previously by board for matting to make the crossing by the gas company. $6,342- Approved. #3 - Three different tasks on this one. Buy the mats, install the mats and timber bridges ($33,086.40), and delivery of the tanks required prep and repair of PNS landscaping.  As an aside- there has been difficulty with Texas as and Ohio Valley Gas- when in their areas. Some discussion. They get more direction from the field rep- not the main office. Approved  $102,246.89 for the 3rd change order for Guilford.

Board asked Mike Hrezo to get them a NTE on building the bathrooms facilities and sink for the operator at Guilford. Talk about getting it internet ready out there too. Water, electric, etc. will be to the east. There is service there on the pole for the gas company. Board thinks they can prioritize a list IF there is any money left when the project is nearly done.    

New Business: none

Office Update: Steve Grail (property south side of 50 and left of church) sent a request - wanted to know if they can get on at the project at Lake Dildear. He is building a home out there. Cline- see if enough capacity. Review a contract- Meinders will contact him. See location of house etc to get process started. 

Billy Sawyers off Pribble at top of hill sent request-  asked about leftover dirt. Meinders had talked to him about that. 

Steve Brock wanted to be involved in the process about the rates. He can help with path to grants etc. Christy and he will get together next week with Brock on phone call. Cline had several items for Brock to help them with on grants and debt service. The PER is narrowing down the options. 

Kramer- on the dispute on the sampler with Dillsboro. John Watson- atty for Dillsboro responded.  Derek Walker, Town Manager- suggested one that was $25,000. Their existing one only cost about $14,000. They are not sure they even need a sampler at this time. He is concluding that with residential and SEI Data - their need for this is low. 

Samples were discussed with Bill Neyer- VRUC on how sampling works and can be split for like 10% so there is a 3rd party option to test also. Illicit activity in homes can show up in the samples. Like a meth lab. Also fat, oil, and grease loads can do that. Ask what they are testing for that you can bill us for. Phosphorus, BOD, ammonia, etc.? There are ways to test the private grinder pump pits. Sampler maintenance and tubing has to change out were discussed. There should be an amount that they tolerate and then it gets a surcharge if you are over that. Check their sewer use ordinance for the limits on that. Meinders said Derek Walker said they are looking for the hazardous extremes.

Cline asked about how to get readings from meters from North Dearborn and from Hoosier Hills. How to bill when the metering is read every 2 months for example. 

Dildear can be going in 3 months per Meinders. Also the lift station in 3 months and when the grinders come in. Working to stay out of septic leach lines and tanks. April or May for the plant.

Get a letter to both water companies to get some meter readings and see what the format is for that. Elrod merged with Hoosier Hills so only one company for Dillsboro project.   

Approved Claims: Lake Dildear $ 706,437.91

Guildford- $1,127,617.80

Operating claims  $14,766.55

Approved billing adjustments- $10.27,   $712.17,  $205.99,  $431.85

Doug - $2,000 allowance for 2 motors and blowers and need more as it is costing each  $5,786. Total  $11,572 for 2

Board decided to get 3 of these out of High Ridge account. $17,000. There is money there. These are needed. 

Board Homework is to review all RFPs for next meeting. 

Adjourn: 7:00 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township