Help needed to study Freeland sewer plans

Commissioners for the Freeland Water and Sewer District are looking for volunteers for their new citizen advisory committee.

The committee will review plans for a sewer and water reuse system and make recommendations to the district’s board of commissioners. Commissioners are seeking volunteers who can bring diverse perspectives to the sewer planning process and make a six-month commitment to the work of the committee.

“It is important that the citizen advisory committee represent a cross-section of different backgrounds and perspectives,” said District Commissioner Jim Short. “We encourage anyone who has a stake in Freeland’s future and can devote up to eight hours a week to consider joining the committee.”

The decision to form a citizen advisory committee came after more than 200 people packed a community meeting, and many raised concerns about the cost of the district’s proposed sewer system.

District officials are hoping the committee can provide recommendations for the sewer project by the end of 2011.

Officials have been considering the formation of a local improvement district, or LID, that would help pay for the sewer project through property assessments. District officials put the LID on hold last month after a preliminary report indicated that the benefits to Freeland properties within the proposed LID were not sufficient to offset the costs of the project.

Individuals interested in participating in the citizen advisory committee can learn more by visiting the Freeland Water and Sewer District website at http://www.freelandwsd.com or by calling Sandy Duncan at 331-5566.

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