Pillsbury panelists urge water a

Fore Note: By all accounts, Tellico Village is is facing serious financial issues in the very near future related to water, sewer and roads. The POA keeps trying to find tricky ways to dodge the bullet that's headed their way. Now comes the water authority idea.
It's doubtful a subdivision can even establish a water authority under state law. Even if they did, that wouldn't solve the problems they're facing.

The people in charge refuse to accept only way they will survive. They're going to have to incorporate, become their own city. Events will eventually force that option, but there's going to be a lot of issues before they finally accept the inevitable.

Pillsbury, panelists urge water authority

Alyssa B. Martin news-herald.net

A five-person panel gave Tellico Village residents more information about a proposed water authority during a Thursday town hall-style question and answer session at the Yacht Club.

Chet Pillsbury, chief executive officer of the Tellico Village Property Owners Association, was joined on the panel by Scott P. Gibson of Cumberland Securities Company, POA Attorney Kevin Stephens, and Jim Hawkey and John Tierney, members of the Public Services Advisory Committee.

At a similar October meeting, Pillsbury expressed concerns about the state of the Village’s water and sewer services.

Pipes and tanks are too small to support the rapid growth taking place. Water pressure is unreliable in parts of the community, and heavy rains can cause Loudon Utilities Board to shut down valves to the Village. Major upgrades are needed for water and sewer that are projected to cost $20 million in the next decade, Pillsbury said.

Although multiple solutions were proposed, Pillsbury and the POA would like to establish a water authority.

A 51% vote from residents is required for a water authority to be established in the Village. Pillsbury said he has met with local mayors, state lawmakers and representatives of LUB and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, all of whom he said are in favor of the authority.

Legislators urged Pillsbury and the POA to move forward as quickly as possible. With most water authorities operating on a fiscal year beginning July 1, he said the hope is to have the organization in place by March.

“I emphasize this because in the past it’s been a question,” Pillsbury said. “None of this will happen without your vote. None of this will happen without your knowledge. None of this will happen without your understanding, and I need to keep saying that until sooner or later you believe me.”

If residents choose to vote for the water authority, the POA will form a board composed of one POA board member and four residents who will serve three-year terms.

Stephens said a series of governing documents must outline an authority’s rights and responsibilities. The organization must comply with regulatory requirements from the state and TDEC.

Pillsbury said the authority is still in the proposal stage.

“Unless the community tells me it’s a bad idea and they don’t want to touch it, I’m going to go until I get to 51% because it’s that important,” Pillsbury said, adding that should residents reject the idea “... then it stays as is and we’ll have to find another way to come up with the money and that will be out of (resident’s) pockets.”

He said one benefit of establishing an authority is the ability to obtain grants, which could help fund routine maintenance and repairs and the necessary updates.

Should the measure pass, the Village water supply will still come from LUB for now and possibly from additional entities in the future. However, Pillsbury doesn’t believe the relationship with LUB will go away.

“So far, I’m working on multiple alternatives of buying water and sewer, so we’re never caught by one supplier, but I don’t see any reason why LUB wants to turn away the millions of dollars we pay them,” he said.

Panelists clarified that Kahite residents are also included in the vote. Those wishing to vote, learn more or express questions and concerns can visit online at www.tellicovillagepoa.org/waterauthority.