SEQUIM — Opponents of the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area public sewer system want to know how much it will cost.
But the best answer they got during a community forum at the Sequim Transit Center last week was that Clallam County is working to minimize what residents will have to pay.
“I can’t give you any numbers because we don’t have them in hand yet,” said Jim McEntire, R-Sequim, one of the three Clallam County commissioners.
This answer failed to satisfy a majority of the assembled crowd, numbering about 85 at one point, who spent much of the two-and-a-half-hour meeting voicing their concerns about the costs associated with a new sewer system.
McEntire said his aim, which he feels is shared by the other two county commissioners, is to come up with the plan that provides the most benefit at a low cost.
“The capital cost — the cost of putting in pipes and/or a facility — what I would like to do is get that cost as low as possible,” McEntire said. “I think we all would.
“The other piece of that is the operation and maintenance cost of whatever we do build. I want to keep that low as well because that drives the monthly rate that folks are going to pay.”
When a few of the standing-room-only crowd suggested their cost be zero, McEntire said that wasn’t possible.
“Zero is not on the table, unfortunately,” he said.
Along with the costs and not knowing them, many fear the rural nature of Carlsborg would be changed by a growing industrial district.
The crowd included Carlsborg residents who live both within and outside the urban growth area.
Those living outside the borders were concerned that the boundaries of the urban growth area would expand to include them.
McEntire insisted that would happen only if residents asked for it.
“If you don’t want annexation, it ain’t going to happen,” McEntire said.
A small number spoke in favor of the sewer system, including Don Butler, owner of High Energy Metals, who said the sewer would also serve those who work in Carlsborg.
“I appreciate the residents and concerns and what they want there, but this is also about the 1,100 jobs that are in Carlsborg, and maintaining those jobs,” Butler said.
“The county has come in, stepped up and said they’re going to carry most of the capital costs of this thing.
“Why are they doing it? Well, part of the reason I’ve got to think is that 95 percent of those people who work in Carlsborg live outside of Carlsborg and within the county, Butler said.
“So, I see it as the county trying to take care of those people more anything else.”
The county wants to begin building the sewer system in 2014.
But before it starts, the sewer facilities plan that the PUD commissioners approved in June needs the approval of the state Department of Ecology, which has until September to make its decision.
In the meantime, McEntire said there will be more public meetings on the sewer system.