Pelham holds public hearing on Eagle Cove lift station rehab; no objections heard, council to consider assessment at next meeting

The Pelham City Council recessed its Aug. 18 meeting to hold a public hearing on a special-assessment request from the Eagle Cove Homeowners Association to deed the subdivision’s sewer lift station to the city, repair it, and assess the neighborhood for the work.

Assistant City Manager Justin told the council the neighborhood contains 72 homes and that about 37 of those homes are served by the lift station. He said the city would need to take the lift station by deed, perform rehabilitation work, and assess costs to properties “commiserate with this work” based on the benefit received. Justin told the council the estimated total cost of repairs is $180,000 to $200,000 and described statutorily required notification steps (certified mail, newspaper advertisement and a posted resolution) before the hearing.

After the assistant city manager opened the floor for owners to speak in objection, no one came forward. Justin said the statute requires the council to hear objections and that, if no objections are raised, the council will consider the request at a subsequent meeting. Resident Darryl Tino asked whether another public hearing would be held; staff confirmed there will be “one more public hearing” and that the council would vote on the request at the next meeting if no objections are raised.

The council did not take final action at the Aug. 18 meeting. The assistant city manager said the council will consider the special-assessment request at the next meeting after the second hearing and that the current council remains in place through November, meaning the vote would be by the existing council if held as scheduled. No cost-allocation schedule or exact assessment amounts were presented; staff said individual assessments would vary depending on the benefit the lift station serves to each home.