Chapel Hill explores funding options for Rogers Road sewer

In its last meeting before a summer hiatus begins, the Chapel Hill Town Council narrowed down possible funding options for a sewer line in the Rogers-Eubanks neighborhood to two plans of action.

On Monday night, the council heard recommendations for the sewer plan from councilmen Jim Ward and Lee Storrow — both members of the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood Task Force. Earlier this month, the task force decided on two options — one that would cost $5.8 million and provide sewer service to 86 properties, and a second that would cost $3.7 million and serve 67.

Now, funding for one of those plans will have to be determined by the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County governments.

Many council members voiced support for extending sewer service to as many homes as possible through the larger, 86-property plan.

To pay for Chapel Hill’s share of the sewer costs, the council voted that the town manager explore two options: creating a water and sewer district for the neighborhood in partnership with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, or extending the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction to include Rogers Road.

At issue is the fact that the neighborhood falls outside of Chapel Hill town limits. The larger plan would require the town to extend its legal authority to Rogers Road through an extraterritorial jurisdiction — an alternative to annexation that allows the town to operate beyond its boundaries.

Because the town does not want to annex the area, Storrow said it will have to employ creative funding options to pay for the sewer line.

“Because none of this neighborhood is in the town of Chapel Hill, we don’t have the legal authority to actually provide funding for sewer service to connect into this neighborhood,” Storrow said. “It’s been my opinion — and I think most of us as individuals on the task force — that the most realistic option we felt was extending the (extraterritorial jurisdiction).”

Councilman Matt Czajkowski said he thought any area that pays Chapel Hill’s school tax should be included in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.

“My view is that anywhere where a neighborhood is in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, it’s in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, pure and simple,” Czajkowski said.

At the meeting, Rogers Road resident and task force member Robert Campbell spoke to council members about one of his neighbors who he claimed is experiencing health problems due to a contaminated well.

“We have an opportunity to influence change,” Campbell said. “And when I speak about change, I’m talking about the quality of life and health.”

In 2010, the Orange County Health Department surveyed wells in the Rogers Road neighborhood, finding low but measurable amounts of contaminants such as pesticides and petroleum in some wells. Earlier, UNC researchers had collaborated with residents to test neighborhood wells, concluding that high levels of contaminants like fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria made those wells noncompliant with federal standards.

The Orange County survey noted the average age of wells in the neighborhood was 35 years — largely predating contemporary construction and safety standards. Septic tanks in the neighborhood averaged 32 years old, according to respondents in the survey.

When the council returns to work in September, members will schedule a public hearing on the sewer plan for some time in the fall. Campbell noted that September will be significant to Rogers Road in more ways than one.

“I know it’ll be a hard road,” Campbell said. “This coming September makes 41 years since the promises were made, and yet the promises (are) on the verge of being fulfilled.”