Board resumes talks about Paradise sewer project

Like an anxious Dr. Frankenstein hovering over his “creation” looking for a sign of life, members of he Paradise Sewer Board kept a wary eye on the laboratory table, while at the same time scanning the gathering of upset villagers who are intent on snuffing out the monster sewer project they say is riddled with unfairness and uncertainty.

There were no signs of pitchforks or straw torches among the opposition, but they too were anxiously looking for signs of life in the proposed multi-million dollar project residents of the tiny hamlet say will be an unnecessary and unwanted financial burden for years to come.

And while no one in the Paradise Water Department building could muster a blood-curdling cry of “it is alive” during a special meeting last Thursday afternoon, there were definitely signs a heart beat, however faint some may think it be, was still present.

On this cold and rainy afternoon, the newly congregated Paradise Sewer Board gathered for clarification as both sides in the hotly contested battle over the proposed $4.5 million project probed to see just how much life remained in the creation that has already been delayed and may be scaled back considerably from the monstrous creation it has become.

The meeting was called to order by acting Board President Terry Caldwell, who along with the two newly appointed board members thrust into the fray thanks to a successful voter recall of two previous members are trying to determine the next moves in what has become a chess match between the two sides.

First order of business was to clear up some housekeeping issues that came to play during the recall election this past October. That vote removed previous President Sunny Chase and fellow Board member Rick McCollum from their posts because of procedural and potential legal errors surrounding efforts to get the project off and running last spring.

To date, no dirt has been turned and no pipe laid in connection with the project, which supporters say is way overpriced in its conception by Great West Engineering, the municipal engineering firm chosen by Sanders County to come up with a plan. Great West proposed a $4.5 million mostly grant-backed project that would have included multiple housing units in land owned by Paradise resident Bridger Bishoff, who attended the meeting that attracted a full house of residents both for and against the project.

Opponents have long groused over what they say are free services that would be given to residents of Bishoff’s development on land he owns along the northern edge of the unincorporated town.

Procedural matters, including what opponents claim has been a curtain of hidden agendas, non-transparent transactions between sewer planners, the county and some members of the Board, were examined, with assurances from Caldwell that great care will be taken to keep the public informed of any moves involving a scaled-down project.

“We have to come together as a board, a team,” Caldwell said. “We are representatives of the people in this matter.”

With assurances transparency will be priority one, the two sides, including Great West representative Collette Anderson, agreed in principal that future bargaining would be crafted to be more inclusive with the public along with way.

What that “way” is, however, remains uncertain at best.

Among the key issues tossed about by those in attendance was the issue of having a formal vote among residents of the town on whether they want the project to proceed, even in reduced form.

“We have talked about getting a vote on this matter,” Caldwell said, referring to discussions he has had with Sanders County election officials.

That comment led to a barrage of questions and comments from those who want a new, definitive vote and those who say previous votes have already considered the matter.

“We already voted on this issue in 2001,” said new board member Janie McFadge,n who informed those in attendance she is for the project. “That vote said we would be responsible for putting in the sewer system and maintaining it. That issue was already decided that we would be putting in the sewer”.

Paradise area resident Katy French, a longtime opponent of the proposed project, interjected that the numerous procedural errors and omissions committed by the previous Board in effect made previous claims a moot point.

“I didn’t mean to open a can of worms, but it [the vote issue] needs to be addressed,” Caldwell said. “I’ve been talking with the county’s attorneys and the commissioners about the matter.”

Caldwell said clarification would be needed on who would pay for such an election but that it would likely be borne by Sanders County.

Anderson, meanwhile, said getting together and discussing the matter was essential given time restraints that among other things includes limits on the life of federal grant money already approved.

Opposition leaders, such as resident Lee Ann Overman have long argued that the project is too expensive for the mostly retired residents of the town to handle and that a projected 40-year in length payback of one loan involved would saddle already tight-budgeted town’s people for years to come.

“Most of the people who live here are on limited incomes,” Overman said. “It would be a great burden for a lot of people who also resent having to pay for a project that greatly benefits the land developer [Bishoff] while placing additional financial challenges on the majority of residents”.

Anderson countered that adjustments to the project could in their own way add to the cost of the project by increasing re-design expenses.

Still, she conceded that changes to the project to reduce costs to local residents could be made and that talks with Bishoff should begin as soon as possible.

“If we exclude Bridger’s property (along with proposed inclusion of sewage lines to the Community Center and other business properties), field work would and permits would have to be redone”.

Those costs could be reduced further by subtracting the approximately 40 housing units that would be expected to hook up to the sewage system.

Another proposal, backed by new Board member Don Stamm, who like McFadgen was appointed to the board by now retired County Commissioner Carol Brooker, would involve moving the system’s treatment facility closer to town, thereby reducing material costs.

Bishoff seemed to be open to the idea of design changes, but with a hoped for construction start this Spring said progress needs to begin.

“Time is of the essence”, he said. “I came here to listen to what you have to say about this and see what we can come up with”.

Paradise resident Cody Lampman said this time around the opposition will be more involved in the day-to-day workings of the project.

Lampman also backed the opposition demands that a vote be held as soon as possible.

With that, Caldwell and the Board agreed to schedule a meeting to begin discussions that could be shared with the public via Zoom and other communication vehicles.

“It is our responsibility to make sure everything is done legally,” Caldwell said. “We will be looking over Great West’s shoulder, we will be more hands on.”