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Town outlines 14 Mile Creek trunk sewer upgrade: parallel line, easement acquisitions and 3‑year timetable
Summary
Consultants told the council that wet‑weather surcharging on the 14 Mile Creek trunk system can be addressed most efficiently by installing a parallel sewer (about 18‑inch pipe in many segments). Staff said about 117 property parcels are affected and estimated an 18‑month easement‑acquisition phase followed by roughly 18 months of construction once rights are obtained.
Town staff and consultants gave a technical update on the 14 Mile Creek gravity trunk sewer system and the preliminary plan to add capacity.
John Epting of CDM Smith said flow monitoring and intermediate design work shows the 14 Mile trunk performs well in dry weather but can surcharge during heavy rainfall. To accommodate current loads and future growth, consultants recommended constructing a largely parallel sewer—roughly 30,000 linear feet in many segments—most commonly as an 18‑inch gravity line adjacent to the existing pipe.
Consultants and staff explained a key implementation constraint: the current sewer easement along much of the corridor is about 20 feet and, in several parcels, only permits a single pipe. Modern maintenance and safe construction would typically require roughly 40 feet (30 feet permanent plus a 20‑foot temporary construction corridor in portions), so the town must acquire additional permanent and temporary easement rights from property owners. Jessica Kraussen (acquisition counsel) said the town will send notice letters to about 117 affected parcels and that the planned process includes outreach, negotiation by a right‑of‑way acquisition contractor (Utility Land Service), and, where necessary, condemnation to secure rights the town cannot obtain voluntarily.
Staff outlined a timeline that includes roughly 18 months to complete rights acquisition (including negotiations and any condemnation litigation), followed by an anticipated 18‑month construction phase after rights are secured. Public outreach materials and a project webpage will be provided to property owners during acquisition. Council took the presentation as an informational update; staff did not request immediate action beyond continuing property outreach and rights acquisition work.
